US 5,180,591 AGranted

Delivery device with a protective sleeve

AssigneeAlza Corporation

InventorsJudy A. Magruder, John R. Peery, James B. Eckenhoff

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Abstract

This invention relates to an active agent delivery device. More particularly, the invention relates to a delivery device that includes a sleeve to protect the delivery device from transient mechanical forces. The delivery device of the invention is robust and resistant to transient mechanical forces. The invention provides a fluid-imbibing delivery device comprising a housing enclosing an internal compartment, said housing having a first wall section that substantially restricts the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is substantially fluid-impermeable, and that contains a beneficial agent; a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is fluid-permeable, and that contains at least one expandable driving member; and exit means; with a protective sleeve means extending from the first wall section of the housing to cover and protect the second wall section of the housing and the junction of the first and second sections. The protective sleeve is preferably configured to provide substantially no resistance to flow of fluid or fluid vapors through the fluid-permeable second wall section.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method for delivering a beneficial agent to an animal, wherein the method comprises:

(1) admitting into the animal a dispenser comprising:
(a) a first wall section comprising a wall that surrounds an internal compartment and an open end;
(b) a second wall section comprising a wall that surrounds an internal compartment and an open end, the wall comprising a composition permeable to the passage of fluid, wherein the open end of the first wall section and the open end of the second wall section are in mated contact;
(c) a rigid sleeve extending from the first wall section to cover the junction of the first wall section and the second wall section and to at least partially cover the sides of the second wall section, the inside diameter of the sleeve being greater than the outside diameter of the second wall section, and the sleeve being able to resist transient mechanical forces of at least about 2 kilograms force;
(d) a beneficial agent in the compartment comprising the first wall section;
(e) at least one expandable driving member in the compartment comprising the second wall section for pushing the beneficial agent from the compartment;
and
(f) exit means for delivering the beneficial agent to the animal;
(2) allowing fluid to be imbibed through the permeable second wall section of the dispenser for causing the expandable driving member or members to increase in volume;
and
(3) delivering the beneficial agent to the animal by the driving member or members increasing in volume and occupying space in the compartment comprising the first wall section, thereby pushing the beneficial agent through the exit means to the animal.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.