Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of making a polymeric diffusion matrix comprising, in an uncured state and on a weight basis, from about 2 to about 60 % of glycerol, from about 2 to about 15 % of polyvinylalcohol, from about 2 to about 10 % of a water-soluble polymer having hydration sites, and the balance water, which method comprises mixing the constituents heating the mixture, and casting the mixture to form the diffusion matrix.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of making a polymeric diffusion matrix comprising, in an uncured state and on a weight basis, from about 2 to about 60 % of glycerol, from about 2 to about 15 % of polyvinylalcohol, from about 2 to about 10 % of a water-soluble polymer having hydration sites, and the balance water, which method comprises mixing the constituents heating the mixture, and casting the mixture to form the diffusion matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following steps: (a) mixing the glycerol with water; (b) dissolving the polyvinylalcohol and the water-soluble polymer having hydration sites in the mixture of (a) by stirring and heating to from about 90 to about 95°C; and (c) casting the mixture to form sheets of the. diffusion matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the water-soluble polymer is agar, agarose, polyvinylpyrrolidone or a water-soluble cellulose derivative.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the water-soluble polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone and including the additional step of curing the matrix obtained in (c) to produce a cured matrix comprising, on a weight basis, from about 2 to about 55 % of glycerol, from about 4 to about 30 % of polyvinylalcohol, from about 2 to about 20 % of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and the balance water.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of at least one drug suitable for transdermal or topical application to a patient is added to and dispersed in the mixture of (b).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the drug is trinitroglycerol and is dispersed in the mixture of (b) when the temperature of the mixture has been lowered to from about 50 to about 55°C.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed'in any one of claims 1 to 4, including the additional step of depositing on the surface of the matrix a therapeutically effective amount of at least one drug suitable for transdermal or topical application to a patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the water-soluble polymer is agar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of trinitroglycerol is dispersed in the mixture of (b) when the temperature of the mixture has been lowered to from about 50 to about 55°C.