Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for the rate-controlled delivery of a drug, said device comprising: a matrix layer; means for mechanically supporting the matrix layer; a drug within the matrix layer; and a plurality of polymeric particles dispersed in the matrix layer, said particles each defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release a chemical penetration enhancer into the matrix layer at a release rate selected to control the rate at which the drug is systematically absorbed from the matrix by a host.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for the rate-controlled delivery of a drug, said device comprising: a matrix layer; means for mechanically supporting the matrix layer; a drug within the matrix layer; and a plurality of polymeric particles dispersed in the matrix layer, said particles each defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release a chemical penetration enhancer into the matrix layer at a release rate selected to control the rate at which the drug is systematically absorbed from the matrix by a host.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 1, further comprising means for removably securing the mechanical support means to a skin or membrane area of the host.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 2, wherein the means for securing comprises an adhesive surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the drug and the chemical penetration enhancer are both present within the polymeric particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the drug is contained in the polymeric particles while the enhancer is present directly in the matrix layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the polymeric particles comprise non-collapsible cross-linked beads prepared by suspension polymerization.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
126 words
A device for the rate-controlled delivery of a drug, said device comprising: a matrix layer; means for mechanically supporting the matrix layer; a drug within the matrix layer; a chemical penetration enhancer within the matrix layer, wherein the chemical penetration enhancer has limited solubility within the matrix layer; and a plurality of polymeric particles dispersed in the matrix layer, said particles each defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release at least one of the chemical penetration enhancer and the drug into the matrix layer at release rates for said enhancer and/or said drug, whereby the rate of enhancer and/or drug release from the network of internal pores is selected to control the rate at which the drug is systematically absorbed by a host.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
126 words
A device for the rate-controlled delivery of a drug, said device comprising: a matrix layer; means for mechanically supporting the matrix layer; a drug within the matrix layer; a chemical penetration enhancer within the matrix layer, wherein the chemical penetration enhancer has limited solubility within the matrix layer; and a plurality of polymeric particles dispersed in the matrix layer, said particles each defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release at least one of the chemical penetration enhancer and the drug into the matrix layer at release rates for said enhancer and/or said drug, whereby the rate of enhancer and/or drug release from the network of internal pores is selected to control the rate at which the drug is systematically absorbed by a host.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for the rate-controlled delivery of a drug, said device comprising: a matrix layer composed of a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinylacetate copolymers, cross-linked silicone rubbers, plasticized polyvinylchlorides and polyurethanes; means for mechanically supporting the matrix layer; and a plurality of polymeric particles dispersed in the matrix layer; said particles each defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release at least one of the chemical penetration enhancer and the drug into the matrix layer at release rates for said enhancer and/or said drug, whereby the rate of enhancer and/or drug release from the network of internal pores is selected to control the rate at which the drug is systematically absorbed by a host.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for the rate-controlled delivery of a drug, said device comprising: a matrix layer composed of a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinylacetate copolymers, cross-linked silicone rubbers, plasticized polyvinylchlorides and polyurethanes; means for mechanically supporting the matrix layer; and a plurality of polymeric particles dispersed in the matrix layer; said particles each defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release at least one of the chemical penetration enhancer and the drug into the matrix layer at release rates for said enhancer and/or said drug, whereby the rate of enhancer and/or drug release from the network of internal pores is selected to control the rate at which the drug is systematically absorbed by a host.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of analgesics, anesthetics, anthelmintics, antidotes, antiemetics, antihistamines, antimalarials, antimicrobials, antipyretics, antiseptics, antituberculotics, antitussives, antivirals, cardioactive drugs, cathartics, chemotherapeutic agents, corticoids (steroids), depressants, diagnostic aids, diuretics, enzymes, expectorants, hormones, hypnotics, minerals, nutritional supplements, parasympathomimetics, potassium supplements, sedatives, sulfonamides, stimulants, sympathomimetics, tranquilizers, urinary antiinfectives, vasocontrictors, vasodilators, vitamins, and xanthine derivatives.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the chemical penetration enhancer is selected from the group consisting of lipophilic solvents, two component systems, cyclic alkyls, azacycloalkanes, alkyl morpholines, alkanoyl pyrrolidines, cyclic ketones, fatty acid esters, ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, organic acids, propylene glycol, propylenecarbonate, and urea.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 7, wherein the polymeric particles have a cross-linking density of at least about 10%.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 11, wherein the cross-linking density is in the range from about 20% to 80%.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for the rate-controlled delivery of a drug, said device comprising; a matrix layer; means for mechanically supporting the matrix layer; a drug within the matrix layer; a chemical penetration enhancer within the matrix layer; and a plurality of polymeric particles having an average diameter in the range from about 5 μm to 100 μm dispersed in the matrix layer, said particles each defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release at least one of the chemical penetration enhancer and the drug into the matrix layer at release rates for said enhancer and/or said drug, whereby the rate of enhancer and/or drug release from the network of internal pores is selected to control the rate at which the drug is systemically absorbed by a host.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for the rate-controlled delivery of a drug, said device comprising; a matrix layer; means for mechanically supporting the matrix layer; a drug within the matrix layer; a chemical penetration enhancer within the matrix layer; and a plurality of polymeric particles having an average diameter in the range from about 5 μm to 100 μm dispersed in the matrix layer, said particles each defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release at least one of the chemical penetration enhancer and the drug into the matrix layer at release rates for said enhancer and/or said drug, whereby the rate of enhancer and/or drug release from the network of internal pores is selected to control the rate at which the drug is systemically absorbed by a host.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 13, wherein the average diameter is in the range from about 10 μm to 40 μm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the means for mechanically supporting the matrix layer comprises a backing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the means for mechanically supporting the matrix comprises an enclosure, wherein at least a portion of the enclosure is permeable to the drug and the chemical penetration enhancer.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for the rate-controlled systemic delivery of a drug to a patient, said device comprising: a matrix layer; a plurality of polymeric particles dispersed in the matrix layer, said particles comprising non-collapsible, cross-linked structures defining a network of internal pores; a drug and a chemical penetration enhancer within the matrix layer, where at least one of the drug and enhancer is present within the pore networks of the polymeric particles, said drug and/or enhancer having a release rate from said pore networks selected to control the rate at which said drug is systemically delivered to the patient; and means for containing the matrix layer and exposing the matrix layer to a preselected skin or membrane area of the patient.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for the rate-controlled systemic delivery of a drug to a patient, said device comprising: a matrix layer; a plurality of polymeric particles dispersed in the matrix layer, said particles comprising non-collapsible, cross-linked structures defining a network of internal pores; a drug and a chemical penetration enhancer within the matrix layer, where at least one of the drug and enhancer is present within the pore networks of the polymeric particles, said drug and/or enhancer having a release rate from said pore networks selected to control the rate at which said drug is systemically delivered to the patient; and means for containing the matrix layer and exposing the matrix layer to a preselected skin or membrane area of the patient.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein the means for containing and exposing is an enclosure having a permeable wall.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 18, wherein the permeable wall is a macroporous membrane which is not rate-limiting to the passage of the drug.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein the percutaneous enhancer is present within the pore networks of the polymeric beads while the drug is not within the pore networks.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein the percutaneous enhancer is present within the pore network of a first group of polymeric particles while the drug is present within the pore networks of a second group of polymeric particles.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein the drug is present within the pore networks of the polymeric beads while the percutaneous enhancer is not within the pore networks.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The devices in claim 17, wherein the chemical penetration enhancer is selected from the group consisting of lipophilic solvents, two component systems, cyclic alkyls, azacycloalkanes, alkyl morpholines, alkanoyl pyrrolidines, cyclic ketones, fatty acid esters, ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, organic acids, propylene glycol, propylenecarbonate, and urea.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein the drug has limited solubility within the matrix.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein the matrix layer is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinylacetate copolymers, cross-linked silicone rubbers, plasticized polyvinylchlorides and polyurethanes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as in claim 18, wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of analgesics, anesthetics, anthelmintics, antidotes, antiemetics, antihistamines, antimalarials, antimicrobials, antipyretics, antiseptics, antituberculotics, antitussives, antivirals, cardioactive drugs, cathartics, chemotherapeutic agents, corticoids, depressants, diagnostic aids, diuretics, enzymes, expectorants, hormones, hypnotics, minerals, nutritional supplements, parasympathomimetics, potassium supplements, sedatives, sulfonamides, stimulants, sympathomimetics, tranquilizers, urinary antiinfectives, vasocontrictors, vasodilators, vitamins, and xanthine derivatives.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein the polymeric particles have a cross-linking density of at least about 10%.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 27, wherein the cross-linking density is in the range from about 20% to 80%.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein the polymeric particles are beads having an average diameter in the range from about 5 μm to 100 μm.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 29, wherein the average diameter is in the range from about 10 μm to 40 μm.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for the systemic administration of a drug to a host, said method comprising: exposing a preselected skin or membrane area of the host to the drug, wherein the drug is present at a concentration which exceeds the absorptive capacity of the skin or membrane; and exposing the preselected skin or membrane area to a percutaneous enhancer capable of increasing the rate of absorption of the drug through the skin or membrane, wherein the rate of delivery of the enhancer to the skin or membrane is controlled in order to control the rate of systemic absorption of the drug.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for the systemic administration of a drug to a host, said method comprising: exposing a preselected skin or membrane area of the host to the drug, wherein the drug is present at a concentration which exceeds the absorptive capacity of the skin or membrane; and exposing the preselected skin or membrane area to a percutaneous enhancer capable of increasing the rate of absorption of the drug through the skin or membrane, wherein the rate of delivery of the enhancer to the skin or membrane is controlled in order to control the rate of systemic absorption of the drug.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as in claim 31, wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of analgesics, anesthetics, anthelmintics, antidotes, antiemetics, antihistamines, antimalarials, antimicrobials, antipyretics, antiseptics, antituberculotics, antitussives, antivirals, cardioactive drugs, cathartics, chemotherapeutic agents, corticoids, depressants, diagnostic aids, diuretics, enzymes, expectorants, hormones, hypnotics, minerals, nutritional supplements, parasympathomimetics, potassium supplements, sedatives, sulfonamides, stimulants, sympathomimetics, tranquilizers, urinary antiinfectives, vasocontrictors, vasodilators, vitamins, and xanthine derivatives.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as in claim 31, wherein the chemical penetration enhancer is selected from the group consisting of lipophilic solvents, two component systems, cyclic alkyls, azacycloalkanes, alkyl morpholines, alkanoyl pyrrolidines, cyclic ketones, fatty acid esters, ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, organic acids, propylene glycol, propylenecarbonate, and urea.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as in claim 31, wherein the rate of enhancer delivery is controlled by release from polymeric particles comprising non-collapsible cross-linked structures defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release the enhancer at a rate selected to effect a desired rate of systemic absorption.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 36, wherein the polymeric particles are present in a matrix layer which also contains the drug.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as in claim 35, wherein the drug is also contained within the polymeric particles within the matrix layer, said polymeric particles comprising non-collapsible cross-linked structures defining a network of internal pores which entrap and release the drug at a rate selected to effect a desired rate of systemic absorption.