Alza Corporation

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.

Mcneil-ppc, Inc.

Johan H Geerke

Roger A Rinker

Martin Costello

Nicholas J Casale

James H Comly

Kishor B Parekh

Dennis C Wieand

Brenda J Pollock

Atul D Ayer

Steven F Stone

Keith P Minton

Thomas A Riddle

Brenda Pollock

James B Eckenhoff

Felix A Landrau

Brenda Pollack

Antonio A Crisologo

Dennis Wieand

Kishor Parekh

The present invention relates to an improved gelatinous coated dosage form having two end regions coated with gelatinous materials and an exposed circumferential band. Openings are provided in at least the exposed band to reveal the core material. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing such gelatinous coated dosage forms.

Rapidly disintegrating gelatinous coated tablets

Rapid and accurate determination of the formulation orientation of multi-layer capsule-shaped tablets with respect to different internal formulation layers proximate to the opposite narrow and rounded ends of the tablets is required. By including an appropriate color scheme in multi-layer osmotic tablets, detection of the formulation orientation is achieved by detecting the color at a spot location on a side of the tablet corresponding to one or another formulation layer or to one or another interface of two formulation layers depending on the formulation orientation of the tablet.

Methods and apparatus for determining formulation orientation of multi-layered pharmaceutical dosage forms

Medicinal tablet

A dosage form for delivery of a therapeutic agent to a subject is described. The dosage form contains: (a) an outer wall defining an interior compartment; (b) within the interior compartment, a therapeutic agent; (c) at least one exit orifice formed by laser ablation of the outer wall for release of the agent therethrough, and (d) a barrier layer disposed between the outer wall and the interior compartment in at least a region corresponding to the exit orifice. The barrier layer comprises a material that allows the barrier layer to remain intact during laser-formation of the at least one exit orifice in the outer wall. Also disclosed is a method for controlling the depth of laser ablation of a dosage form during laser formation of an exit orifice in an outer wall of the dosage form.

Dosage forms having a barrier layer to laser ablation

Methods and apparatus for laser treating batches of pharmaceutical dispensers are provided. Sequential batches of untreated dispensers are carried on alternate batch carriers that are advanced into associated alternate stationary laser treatment stations. The multiple stationary laser treatment stations are located within a region of adjacency in which a single laser source can be operated to treat alternate batches of dispensers positioned within the associated alternate laser treatment stations. A laser controller directs the laser beam to alternatingly operate in each laser treatment station and, within each laser treatment station, to treat each dispenser in a batch of dispensers positioned therein. An advance coordinator advances the batch carriers in coordination with the activity of the laser controller in a repeating alternating cycle.

Apparatus and methods for alternating laser treatment of pharmaceutical dispensers

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Johan H Geerke