United States Patent:  6,103,265

Assignee:  ALZA Corporation (Mountain View, CA)

Filed:  September 22, 1999

The present invention is directed to an oral active agent delivery system comprising improved flow controllers. A hollow tubular member (10) containing the active agent formulation and having a fluid passing controller (14) is placed at one end (16) into a fluid and at a second end (18) into a patient's mouth. The active agent is delivered when the patient sips on the end of the chamber. The improved controllers prevent leakage of the active agent formulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides improved flow controllers for oral active agent delivery devices. The active agent is in the form of discrete units and is contained within the lumen of a hollow tubular active agent delivery device. The controllers prevent release of the discrete units from the first end of the delivery device and permit fluid to enter into the lumen to form a suspension or slurry while lifting the formulation up the lumen towards the second end of the tubular member to the point of drug delivery.

In another aspect, improved flow controller retention structures are provided which prevent the controller from exiting through either end of the delivery device and facilitate use of the device.

In still another aspect, an improved controller for an oral active agent delivery system for delivering discrete units of active agent formulation in admixture with a fluid is provided. The system comprises a hollow tubular member having a first end and a second end and containing an active agent formulation in the form of discrete units between the ends, the controller being located within the hollow tubular member and capable of permitting fluid entry into the tubular member while preventing release of the discrete units from the first end of the tubular member and being transportable toward said second end by the fluid entering the system, and the controller comprises a core of bonded fibers.

Claim 1 of 17 Claims

1. An oral active agent delivery system for delivering to a patient active agent in admixture with a fluid, comprising:

a tubular chamber having a first end configured for fluid communication with the fluid and a second end configured for oral application of suction by the patient;

a controller disposed in said tubular chamber, wherein said controller prevents passage of active agent out of said first end of said tubular chamber and allows passage of fluid through said tubular chamber; and

a retainer disposed in said tubular chamber, wherein said retainer prevents said controller from exiting said tubular chamber and allows passage of fluid through said tubular chamber.

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