Alza Corporation

Vivus, Inc.

Randall G Berggren

Robert M Gale

Virgil A Place

Patrick S Wong

David J Enscore

James L Osborne

Susan M Marks

Wouter E Roorda

Lothar W Kleiner

Guohua Chen

Keith E Dionne

Paul R Houston

Gilbert T Tong

This invention provides rate controlling membranes for controlled drug delivery devices that are stable over time and exhibit more predictable and consistent membrane functionality. According to another aspect, the membranes have enhanced permeability. According to the invention, the rate controlling membrane of a controlled drug delivery device is subjected to a pre-treatment annealing process wherein it is subjected to an elevated temperature for a predetermined time period and subsequently cooled to ambient conditions before incorporation into a controlled drug delivery device.

Rate controlling membranes for controlled drug delivery devices

A composition for the treatment of impotence via delivery to the urethra comprises a vasoactive prostaglandin and a polyethylene glycol dispersant having sufficient viscosity to be retained without spillage from a urethra receivable insert. The composition can additionally contain an .alpha.-blocker. Suppositories can be formulated that are small enough for administration to the male urethra, and that dissolve, melt or bioerode within the urethra to release the active agent(s). The suppositories can contain vasodilators other than prostaglandins as the active for the treatment of impotence. Suppositories can also be formulated that contain active agents useful in the treatment of priapism or Peyronie's syndrome.

Pharmaceutical compositions for treating priapism and peyronie's syndrome

Erectile dysfunction, particularly impotence, priapism and Peyronie's disease is treated by the transurethral administration of a therapeutically effective agent. The agents are administered to the urethra by means of a penile insert (1) having a rapidly releasing coating (4) containing the agent on its exterior surface or by means of an inserter (27) carrying an agent containing dose of agent (31) which can be displaced into the urethra.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction

The present invention is directed to a material which can be used to deliver a drug, such as an antibiotic, into a diseased tissue pocket, such as a periodontal pocket. The material is preferably a bioerodible oligomer or polymer. The oligomer or polymer containing the drug is heated and is then delivered, preferably by injection, into the tissue pocket at a physiologically compatible elevated temperature. Once the bioerodible material is injected into the pocket, the material cools to the body temperature of the pocket. As it cools, the material hardens and remains in place in the tissue pocket. The hardened material bioerodes in the pocket and releases the drug over a period of several days.

Injectable drug delivery system and method

Erectile dysfunction, particularly impotence, priapism and Peyronie's disease is treated by the transurethral administration of a therapeutically effective agent. The agents are administered to the urethra by means of a penile insert (40) having a shaft with a deformable distal end which forms a dose receiving cavity when an internal piston is retracted relative to the shaft.

Dosage and inserter for treatment of erectile dysfunction

Urethral insert for treatment of erectile dysfunction

A medical device and method for the pulsatile administration of a drug through intact skin at a first steady state flux during a first delivery period and a second steady state flux during a second delivery period, said first flux being substantially higher than said second flux; said first and second delivery periods comprising a substantial portion of a predetermined administration period. The device comprises a reservoir of said drug containing an amount of drug sufficient to administer drug at said first and second steady state fluxes during administration period; a reservoir of a skin permeation enhancer for said drug; said reservoir containing an amount of said permeation enhancer sufficient to permit administration of said drug at said first flux only through said first delivery period; and means for maintaining said device on the skin in drug and permeation enhancer transferring relationship thereto a preferred embodiment delivering nitroglycerin and employing ethanol as a permeation enhancer. The device contains means for controlling the maximum delivery rate of one of said drug or enhancer. A preferred embodiment provides for the pulsatile delivery of nitroglycerin.

Medical device for pulsatile transdermal delivery of biologically active

A high flux transdermal nitroglycerin therapeutic system is disclosed which is capable of delivering nitroglycerin through intact human skin at rates of 40 .mu.g/cm.sup.2 hr and preferably in the range of 50-150 .mu.g/cm.sup.2 hr. Ethanol delivered at a rate of from 250-500 .mu.g/cm.sup.2 hr is employed as a permeation enhancer for the nitroglycerin and a rate controlling membrane formed from ethylene vinyl acetate having a vinyl acetate content greater than 11% and preferably between 12-18% provides the appropriate rate control for both the drug and the permeation enhancer. This system is suitable for use in treatment of angina pectoris and congestive heart failure.

Growing community of inventors

Livermore, CA, United States of America

Randall G Berggren