US 5,443,461 A · Segmented device for simultaneous delivery of multiple beneficial agents

Abstract

Diffusional delivery devices are constructed in two or more compartments, each containing a separate drug or other beneficial agent, and each arranged to permit diffusion of the agent out of the device through an individually-characterized agent-permeable wall segment. The diffusion rates of the various agents relative to one another are set and controlled by the parameters of the individual wall segments, such as the surface area of the wall segment, the average thickness of the wall segment, and the permeability of the wall segment for the particular agent. The permeability may be varied by variations in the chemical composition of the wall segment. Using these parameters rather than blending the agents at calculated ratios in a single formulation for diffusion through a single wall permits a wider range of, and greater flexibility in, variation between the diffusion rates of the different agents. This is of value when the simultaneous administration of agents at a specified ratio is desired.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A diffusional delivery device for placement in an aqueous environment for delivery to said environment of a plurality of beneficial agents each at a preselected rate for a predetermined duration of use, said device comprising:

a plurality of beneficial agent formulations, each formulation being in physical contact with its adjacent formulation and each said beneficial agent formulation comprising said beneficial agent and a dilution agent in which it is lowly soluble, the amount of said beneficial agent in said formulation being in excess of saturation in their respective dilution agent throughout said duration of use,
an elongate enclosure defined by a wall at least a portion of which is permeable by diffusion to said beneficial agents, said formulation together with said segment of said wall defining a plurality of compartments along said enclosure,
each of said wall segments being capable of releasing said beneficial agent confined therein by diffusion at the preselected rate for each said beneficial agent, thereby causing preselected quantities of beneficial agent to diffuse from said plurality of compartments through said wall segments per unit time when said device is placed in said aqueous environment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Segmented device for simultaneous delivery of multiple beneficial agents

Life of this patent

Segmented device for simultaneous delivery of multiple beneficial agents

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18