US4830855A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature-controlled active agent dispenser
Assignee: Lifecore Biomedical Inc
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Filing: 1987-11-13
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Granted: 1989-05-16
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Expires: 2007-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Temperature-controlled diffusional active agent dispensers that use a side-chain crystallizable polymer in a form that is not free to flow above its melt temperature as a rate-controlling matrix are disclosed. The polymer may be crosslinked to render it nonflowable, be supported, or grafted to a permeable support. Elements that facilitate or permit heating by radiation or electrical conductance/inductance may be included in the dispenser. At temperatures below the melt temperature of the polymer, the polymer is substantially impermeable to the agent. At tempertures at or above the melt temperature the polymer is substantially permeable to the agent.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray F. Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J3/00; A61K; A61K9/00; A61K9/20; A61K9/2004; A61K9/2022; A61K9/2027; A61K47/00; A61K47/30; A61K47/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A temperature controlled agent dispenser that provides a reversible, substantial change in agent dispensing rate at a selected temperature comprising a body that maintains its integrity at the selected temperature and is comprised of an agent and a side-chain crystallizable polymer which (i) is in a form that retains its shape and is not free to flow wholly at the selected temperature, (ii) exhibits a phase transition at the selected temperature, (iii) has substantially greater permeability to the agent at temperatures equal to or greater than the selected temperature than at temperatures below the selected temperature, and (iv) is interposed between the agent and an environment into which the agent is to be dispensed whereby the rate at which the agent is dispensed to the environment at a temperature equal to or greater than the selected temperature is dependent upon the rate at which the agent diffuses therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A temperature controlled agent dispenser that provides a reversible, substantial change in agent dispensing rate at a selected temperature comprising a body that maintains its integrity at the selected temperature and is comprised of an agent and a side-chain crystallizable polymer which (i) is in a form that retains its shape and is not free to flow wholly at the selected temperature, (ii) exhibits a phase transition at the selected temperature, (iii) has substantially greater permeability to the agent at temperatures equal to or greater than the selected temperature than at temperatures below the selected temperature, and (iv) is interposed between the agent and an environment into which the agent is to be dispensed whereby the rate at which the agent is dispensed to the environment at a temperature equal to or greater than the selected temperature is dependent upon the rate at which the agent diffuses therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the side-chain crystallizable polymer defines at least a part of the exterior surface of the device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said form constitutes a crosslinked side-chain crystallizable polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dispenser of claim 3 wherein the crosslinked side-chain crystallizable polymer has a heat of fusion of at least 5 cal/g and a crosslink density greater than 0.1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The dispenser of claim 3 wherein the body comprises a dispersion of the agent in the crosslinked side-chain crystallizable polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a core of the agnt bounded wholly or partly by a membrane of the side-chain crystallizable polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the core comprises a mixture of the agent and a vehicle or carrier therefor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The dispenser of claim 7 wherein the relative amounts of agent and carrier in the core and the solubility of the agent in the vehicle or carrier are such as to maintain unit activity during the dispensing lifetime of the device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The dispenser of claim 3 wherein the body comprises a core of the agent bounded wholly or partly by a membrane of the crosslinked side-chain crystallizable polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a laminated composite one of the laminas of which is composed of a dispersion of the agent in the side-chain crystallizable polymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a laminated composite one of the laminas of which is composed of a mixture of the agent and a vehicle or carrier therefor and another of the laminas is composed of the side-chain crystallizable polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The dispenser of claim 10 wherein the agent is a drug and the dispenser is for administering the drug transdermally.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dispenser of claim 12 wherein the laminated composite includes a backing lamina and a pressure sensitive adhesive lamina for affixing the dispenser to the skin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The dispenser of claim 11 wherein the agent is a drug and the dispenser is for administering the drug transdermally.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dispenser of claim 14 wherein the laminated composite includes a backing lamina and a pressure sensitive adhesive lamina for affixing the dispenser to the skin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dispenser of claim 1 including electrical conducting means for heating the dispenser by conduction or induction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dispenser of claim 1 including radiation absorbing means for facilitating heating the dispenser with radiation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dispenser of claim 10 including electrical conducting means for heating the dispenser by conduction or induction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dispenser of claim 18 wherein the means is a lamina of an electrical conducting material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dispenser of claim 11 including electrical conducting means for heating the dispenser by conduction or induction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dispenser of claim 20 wherein the means is a lamina of an electrical conducting material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
103 words
A temperature-controlled diffusional matrix for regulating transport of an agent from a source of the agent to an environment of use for the agent comprising a body of (a) a solid support phase and (b) a side-chain crystallizable polymer phase which (i) exhibits a phase transition at a selected temperature and (ii) has substantially greater permeability to the agent at temperatures equal to or greater than the selected temperature than at temperatures below the selected temperature, wherein there is at least one continuous path through the body that is defined by the side-chain crystallizable polymer phase and the side-chain crystallizable polymer is immobilized.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
103 words
A temperature-controlled diffusional matrix for regulating transport of an agent from a source of the agent to an environment of use for the agent comprising a body of (a) a solid support phase and (b) a side-chain crystallizable polymer phase which (i) exhibits a phase transition at a selected temperature and (ii) has substantially greater permeability to the agent at temperatures equal to or greater than the selected temperature than at temperatures below the selected temperature, wherein there is at least one continuous path through the body that is defined by the side-chain crystallizable polymer phase and the side-chain crystallizable polymer is immobilized.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The diffusional matrix of claim 22 wherein the solid support phase is made of a material that is permeable to the agent.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The diffusional matrix of claim 22 wherein the solid support phase is made of a material that is impermeable to the agent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The diffusional matrix of claim 22 including electrical conducting means for heating the matrix by conduction or induction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The diffusional matrix of claim 22 wherein the solid support phase is a microporous membrane and the side-chain crystallizable polymer is within the pores of the membrane.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The diffusional matrix of claim 22 wherein the solid support is a mesh and the side chain crystallizable polymer is within the holes of the mesh.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The diffusional matrix of claim 22 wherein the solid support phase is continuous and the side-chain crystallizable polymer is dispersed in the solid support phase at a volume loading above about 20%.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
84 words
A temperature-controlled diffusion matrix for regulating transport of an agent from a source of the agent to an environment of use for the agent comprising (a) an agent-permeable polymer membrane and (b) a layer of side-chain crystallizable polymer grafted to the surface of the membrane, the side-chain crystallizable polymer (i) exhibiting a phase transition at a selected temperature and (ii) having substantially greater permeability to the agent at temperatures equal to or greater than the selected temperature than at temperatures below the selected temperatures.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
84 words
A temperature-controlled diffusion matrix for regulating transport of an agent from a source of the agent to an environment of use for the agent comprising (a) an agent-permeable polymer membrane and (b) a layer of side-chain crystallizable polymer grafted to the surface of the membrane, the side-chain crystallizable polymer (i) exhibiting a phase transition at a selected temperature and (ii) having substantially greater permeability to the agent at temperatures equal to or greater than the selected temperature than at temperatures below the selected temperatures.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
91 words
A temperature-controlled diffusion matrix for regulating transport of an agent from a source of the agent to an environment of use for the agent comprising a laminated composite of (a) a layer of side-chain crystallizable polymer that (i) exhibits a phase transition at a selected temperature and (ii) has substantially greater permeability to the agent at temperatures equal to or greater than the selected temperature than at temperatures below the selected temperatures sandwiched between (b) layers of an agent-permeable polymer that are bonded to each other to prevent relative motion therebetween.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
91 words
A temperature-controlled diffusion matrix for regulating transport of an agent from a source of the agent to an environment of use for the agent comprising a laminated composite of (a) a layer of side-chain crystallizable polymer that (i) exhibits a phase transition at a selected temperature and (ii) has substantially greater permeability to the agent at temperatures equal to or greater than the selected temperature than at temperatures below the selected temperatures sandwiched between (b) layers of an agent-permeable polymer that are bonded to each other to prevent relative motion therebetween.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-15 | 1992-11-14 | 1993-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-15 | 1996-11-14 | 1997-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-15 | 2000-11-14 | 2001-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |