United States Patent:   5,989,590

Assignee:  Alza Corporation (Palo Alto, CA)

Filed:  June 19, 1998

The present invention is directed to an oral active agent delivery system and method for delivering discrete units of an active agent formulation to a patient. An active agent formulation chamber containing the active agent formulation and having a fluid passing active agent formulation retainer is placed at one end into a fluid and at a second end into a patient's mouth. The active agent is delivered when the patient sips on the end of the chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention is directed to an oral delivery system for delivering discrete units of an active agent formulation in admixture with a fluid. The system comprises a hollow active agent formulation chamber. The chamber has a first end and a second end and contains an active agent formulation in the form of discrete units. The active agent formulation comprises an active agent. The system further compries a fluid passing active agent formulation retainer in the first end of the chamber. The retainer prevents release of the discrete units from the first end while permitting fluid entry into the chamber.

In one embodiment, the discrete units contained within the chamber are in particulate form.

In a second embodiment, the discrete units contained within the chamber are in the form of multiple active agent dosage forms.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for orally delivering discrete units of an active agent formulation in admixture with a fluid. The method involves inserting discrete units of an active agent formulation into a hollow drug delivery chamber of a drug delivery device. The chamber has a first end and a second end. The first end of the chamber has a fluid passing active agent formulation retainer. The drug delivery device has a first and second end. The first end of the drug delivering device is inserted into a fluid and the second end is inserted into the mouth of a patient. The patient then applies suction to the second end of the device to cause delivery of the fluid and discrete units of active agent formulation into the patient's mouth.

Claim 1 of 12 Claims

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

a tubular active agent formulation 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, wherein said first end is crimped to form a restriction in a cross-sectional area of said first end of said active agent formulation chamber that prevents release of active agent; and

a removable tab, wherein said removable tab prevents release of active agent from said second end of said active agent formulation chamber prior to use by the patient.

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