Device for controlled release and delivery to mammalian tissue of pharmacologically active agents incorporating a rate controlling member which comprises an alkylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer

A device for the subdermal controlled release and delivery to human tissue of a pharmacologically active agent comprising:

• (i) at least one polymeric reservoir lamina having a first reservoir lamina surface and, opposite thereto, a second reservoir lamina surface, said reservoir lamina consisting essentially of a first polymeric material and a pharmacologically active agent intimately admixed therewith, (a) said pharmacologically active agent being physically and chemically compatible with said first polymeric material and (b) said first polymeric material being capable of permitting release of said pharmacologically active agent from said first reservoir lamina surface and said second reservoir lamina surface, and
• (ii) coated on said first reservoir lamina surface and said second reservoir lamina surface, a control membrane lamina having a first control membrane lamina surface and, opposite thereto, a second control membrane lamina surface, said control membrane lamina, prior to utilization of said device consisting essentially of a second polymeric material which consists essentially of at least one C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 lower alkylene-C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl acrylate and/or methacrylate copolymer having 2-90% by weight of alkyl acrylate and/or methacrylate monomeric units, taken alone, or taken further together with, in intimate admixture, a third polymeric material consisting essentially of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 polyalkylene corresponding to the C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 lower alkylene of said copolymer,
• said third polymeric material being compatible with said second polymeric material, said control membrane lamina being juxtaposed with and surrounding said polymeric reservoir lamina at said first control membrane lamina surface.

A device for the controlled release and delivery to mammalian tissue of a pharmacologically active agent comprising:

• (i) an impermeable backing member;
• (ii) a control membrane lamina consisting essentially of a first polymeric material which consists essentially of at least one C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 lower olefin-C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl acrylate and/or methacrylate copolymer having 2-90% by weight of alkyl acrylate and/or methacrylate monomeric units, taken alone, or taken further together with, in intimate admixture, a second polymeric material consisting essentially of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 polyalkylene corresponding to the C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 lower alkylene of said copolymer, said second polymeric material being compatible with said first polymeric material;
• (iii) a pharmacologically active agent reservoir maintained therebetween comprising said pharmacologically active agent intimately admixed with a carrier therefor, said pharmacologically active agent being physically and chemically compatible with said first polymeric material and said second polymeric material;
• said pharmacologically active agent reservoir being capable of permitting release of said pharmacologically active agent from said reservoir through said control membrane lamina;
• and
• (iv) means for maintaining said device in pharmacologically active agent transmitting relationship to said mammalian tissue.