Multi-unit pulsatile delivery system

Claim 2

An active agent dispenser for use in a fluid-containing environment comprising, in combination: a. a rigid housing open at one end to provide outlet means therefor, at least a portion of said housing proximate the end of said housing opposite said outlet means permitting passage of the fluid in said environment to the interior of said housing; b. a fluid-activated driving member within said housing in fluid-transmitting relationship with said fluid-passing portion of said housing proximate the end of said housing opposite said outlet means, said driving member, upon exposure of said dispenser to said fluid environment, being the source of motive power for moving the contents of said housing through said outlet; and c. a plurality of discrete active agent dosage units, each unit comprising: (i) a fluid-impermeable cup-shaped member, and (ii) an active agent filling contained within said cup-shaped member, wherein said active agent dosage units are longitudinally disposed within said housing between said driving member and said outlet means and are oriented within said housing with the base of said cup-shaped members facing said outlet means; whereby said active agent dosage units will be sequentially displaced from said housing into said fluid environment by said driving member upon exposure of said dispenser to said fluid environment, said active agent dosage units dispensing their active agent content into said fluid environment after their displacement from said housing into said environment.

Claim 3

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said plurality of active agent dosage units contain the same active agent.

Claim 4

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said plurality of active agent dosage units contain different active agents.

Claim 5

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said active agent filling is an active agent tablet.

Claim 6

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said driving member comprises a fluid-swellable composition.

Claim 7

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said driving member comprises an osmotically effective solute.

Claim 8

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said driving member comprises an elementary osmotic pump.

Claim 9

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said driving member comprises a gas-generating composition.

Claim 10

The dispenser of claim 1 which further comprises an inert layer between said driving member and said active agent dosage units.

Claim 11

The dispenser of claim 1 which further comprises a density element.

Claim 12

The dispenser of claim 1 which further comprises an comprises an initial active agent tablet which is not contained in a fluid-impermeable cup-shaped member.

Claim 13

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said active agent dosage units are stackably engaged one with another.

Claim 14

An active agent dispenser for use in the rumen of a ruminant, the dispenser comprising, in combination: a. a rigid housing open at one end to provide outlet means therefor, at least a portion of said housing proximate the end of said housing opposite said outlet means permitting passage of the fluid in said environment to the interior of said housing; b. a fluid-activated driving member within said housing in fluid-transmitting relationship with said fluid-passing portion of said housing proximate the end of said housing opposite said outlet means, said driving member, upon exposure of said dispenser to said fluid environment, being the source of motive power for moving the contents of said housing through said outlet; c. a density element within said housing; and d. a plurality of discrete active agent dosage units, each unit comprising: (i) a fluid-impermeable cup-shaped member, and (ii) an active agent filling contained within said cup-shaped member, wherein said active agent dosage units are longitudinally disposed within said housing between said driving member and said outlet means and are oriented within said housing with the base of said cup-shaped members facing said outlet means; whereby said active agent dosage units will be sequentially displaced from said housing into said fluid environment by said driving member upon exposure of said dispenser to said fluid environment, said active agent dosage units dispensing their active agent content into said fluid environment after their displacement from said housing into said environment.

Claim 15

An active agent dispenser for use in the rumen of a ruminant, the dispenser comprising, in combination: a. a rigid housing open at one end to provide outlet means therefor, at least a portion of said housing proximate the end of said housing opposite said outlet means permitting passage of the fluid in said environment to the interior of said housing; b. a fluid-activated driving member within said housing in fluid-transmitting relationship with said fluid-passing portion of said housing proximate the end of said housing opposite said outlet means, said driving member, upon exposure of said dispenser to said fluid environment, being the source of motive power for moving the contents of said housing through said outlet; c. a density element within said housing; and d. a plurality of discrete active agent dosage units, each unit comprising: (i) a fluid-impermeable cup-shaped member, and (ii) an active agent filling contained within said cup-shaped member, wherein said active agent dosage units are longitudinally disposed within said housing between said driving member and said outlet means and are oriented within said housing with the base of said cup-shaped members facing said outlet means; whereby said active agent dosage units will be sequentially displaced from said housing into said fluid environment by said driving member upon exposure of said dispenser to said fluid environment, said active agent dosage units dispensing their active agent content into said fluid environment after their displacement from said housing into said environment.

Claim 16

The dispenser of claim 13 which further comprises an inert layer between said driving member and said active agent dosage units.

Claim 17

The dispenser of claim 13 which further comprises an initial active agent tablet which is not contained in a fluid-impermeable cup-shaped member.

Claim 18

The dispenser of claim 13 wherein said plurality of active agent dosage units contain the same active agent.

Claim 19

The dispenser of claim 13 wherein said plurality of active agent dosage units contain different active agents.

Claim 20

The dispenser of claim 13 wherein said active agent filling is an active agent tablet.

Claim 21

The dispenser of claim 13 wherein said active agent dosage units are stackably engaged one with another.

Claim 22

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the portion of said housing adjacent said active agent dosage units is impermeable to the fluid in said fluid environment.

Claim 23

The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the portion of said housing adjacent said active agent dosage units is permeable to the fluid is said fluid environment.

Claim 24

The dispenser of claim 13 wherein the portion of said housing adjacent said active agent dosage units is impermeable to the fluid in said fluid environment.

Claim 25

The dispenser of claim 13 wherein the portion of said housing adjacent said active agent dosage units is permeable to the fluid in said fluid environment.