초록 ▼

An improved osmotic engine is disclosed. The osmotic engine is adapted to be used with an osmotically driven syringe which can be used to deliver a beneficial agent, such as a drug, at a pre-determined rate over an extended period of time. The osmotic engine has an exterior wall defining a compartme

An improved osmotic engine is disclosed. The osmotic engine is adapted to be used with an osmotically driven syringe which can be used to deliver a beneficial agent, such as a drug, at a pre-determined rate over an extended period of time. The osmotic engine has an exterior wall defining a compartment which contains an osmotic solute. The wall comprises a thin permeable and/or microporous material which is permeable to an external fluid such as water but is impermeable to the solute. The wall also has a delivery orifice drilled therethrough. A rigid non-dissolving ring-shaped wall support is provided for maintaining the shape of the engine during use. The wall support also provides a fluid flow path extending from the semipermeable wall portion toward the delivery orifice.

대표청구항 ▼

An osmotic engine comprising: (a) a shaped wall defining a compartment, the compartment containing an osmotically effective solute, at least a portion of the wall being comprised of a material that is permeable to and hydrated by an external fluid and having a sufficient degree of impermeability to

An osmotic engine comprising: (a) a shaped wall defining a compartment, the compartment containing an osmotically effective solute, at least a portion of the wall being comprised of a material that is permeable to and hydrated by an external fluid and having a sufficient degree of impermeability to the solute to generate an osmotic pressure differential across the wall when the wall is exposed to an external fluid, the wall also having a passageway therethrough connecting the compartment with an exterior environment; and (b) a rigid non-dissolving wall support for supporting the wall and maintaining the wall shape, the rigid support having at least one open fluid flow path extending from the semipermeable wall portion toward the passageway through the wall, wherein in operation, a solution of the solute is delivered from the engine by the external fluid being imbibed through the semipermeable wall portion into the osmotic solute-containing compartment to form a solution containing the osmotic solute, the solution being pumped along the open fluid flow path and through the wall passageway to the exterior environment.