Alza Corporation

David L Rivera

James B Eckenhoff

Jeremy C Wright

James L Osborne

Sonya Merrill

Robert M Gale

Richard Lewis Cortese

Linda E Atkinson

John T Dunn

The present invention relates to an improvement in an osmotic delivery device wherein the device comprises a semipermeable wall comprising cellulose acetate butyrate and surrounding an internal compartment containing a beneficial agent or medicament formulation, a fluid-activated expandable driving member, optionally a partition layer between the agent formulation and the driving member, and, optionally a density member, and exit means in the semipermeable wall; and wherein the improvement comprises the cellulose acetate butyrate component of the semipermeable wall having a differential scanning calorimetry ('DSC') profile wherein the main or primary DSC peak has a minimum temperature peak above 228.degree. C. and the secondary DSC peak area is equal to or less than about 30% of the total combined areas of the primary and secondary DSC peaks. The invention also relates to the improved semipermeable membrane produced from cellulose acetate butyrate having a differential scanning calorimetry ('DSC') profile wherein the main DSC peak is at a temperature above 228.degree. C. and the secondary DSC peak area is equal to or less than about 30% of the total combined area of the primary and secondary DSC peaks, the semipermeable membrane providing a substantially improved uniform rapid startup performance for osmotic delivery devices.

Osmotic membrane and delivery device

Diffusional delivery devices are constructed in two or more compartments, each containing a separate drug or other beneficial agent, and each arranged to permit diffusion of the agent out of the device through an individually-characterized agent-permeable wall segment. The diffusion rates of the various agents relative to one another are set and controlled by the parameters of the individual wall segments, such as the surface area of the wall segment, the average thickness of the wall segment, and the permeability of the wall segment for the particular agent. The permeability may be varied by variations in the chemical composition of the wall segment. Using these parameters rather than blending the agents at calculated ratios in a single formulation for diffusion through a single wall permits a wider range of, and greater flexibility in, variation between the diffusion rates of the different agents. This is of value when the simultaneous administration of agents at a specified ratio is desired.

Segmented device for simultaneous delivery of multiple beneficial agents

The invention concerns a process for producing a thermoplastic composition comprising a cellulose ester.

Process for manufacturing a thermoplastic molding composition

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

David L Rivera