Abstract:
The present invention provides a product (1) that includes a pharmaceutical unit dosage or diagnostic form (6) that includes at least one active ingredient that is present in an amount that advantageously does not vary by more than about five percent from a predetermined target amount. In one embodiment, the unit form comprises a substrate (8), a deposit (14) that is disposed on the substrate and a cover layer (9) that overlies the deposit and is joined to the substrate by a bond that encircles that deposit, thereby encapsulating it between the substrate and cover substrates. The deposit comprises a powder, at least some of which includes the at least one active ingredient. The unit form is created via a dry powder deposition apparatus that electrostatically deposits the powder on the substrate utilizing an electrostatic chuck and charged powder delivery apparatus.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an integrated structural unit that includes a diagnostic form that includes at least one active ingredient that is present in an amount that advantageously does not vary by more than about five percent from a predetermined target amount. In one embodiment, the unit form comprises a substrate, a deposit that is disposed on the substrate, and a spreading layer that overlies the deposit and is used to retain and spread a sample of liquid which is to be assayed. The deposit comprises a powder, including the active ingredient(s). The diagnostic form is created via a dry powder deposition apparatus that electrostatically deposits the powder on the substrate utilizing an electrostatic chuck and charged powder delivery apparatus.
Abstract:
A diffuser (518) comprises a conduit having a cross-sectional area that increases in a direction fluid flow. In one embodiment, the diffuser is used to reduce the incidence and severity of flow fluctuations that occur in an electrostatic deposition apparatus. In some embodiments, the diffuser includes one or more flow control features. A first flow-control feature comprises one or more appropriately-shaped annular slits (520) through which fluid having a greater momentum than a primary fluid moving through the diffuser is injected into the "boundary layer" near the wall of the diffuser. A second flow control feature comprises one or more annular slits (548) or, alternatively, slots or holes that are disposed at appropriate locations around the circumference of the diffuser through which a portion of fluid flowing in the boundary layer is removed. Boundary-layer flow removal is effected, in one embodiment, by creating a pressure differential across such annular slit or slots. Among other benefits, such flow control features reduce any tendencies for flow separation of the primary fluid in the diffuser.
Abstract:
A novel solid pharmaceutical dosage formulation of hydrophobic drugs is disclosed, which provides enhanced dissolution and improved bioavailability. The hydrophobic drug is deposited electrostatically on the base substrate. The dosage form may include any pharmaceutically acceptable additive, disposed within a carrier that is segregated from, but in contact with, the deposit. Figure No. 1 depicts an isometric view of a product comprising a strip package containing a plurality of unit forms in accordance with the prior art.
Abstract:
A liquid pharmaceutical for oral delivery wherein at the time of use, a solid unit dosage form is added to the liquid wherein the unit dosage form is comprised of a substrate soluble in the liquid and a particulate pharmaceutically active material in a pharmaceutically effective amount. At the time of use, the unit dosage form is added to the liquid, without requiring measurement of the liquid, and the entire liquid is consumed to provide for oral delivery of the pharmaceutically effective amount of material.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for formulating a solid dosage of thyroid hormone, while avoiding instability caused by interaction of the active ingredient with excipients. The thyroid hormone may be levothyroxine sodium or triiodothyronine. The method comprises depositing the active ingredient, preferably electrostatically, as a dry powder substantially free of excipients, onto a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer substrate. Solid pharmaceutical dosage forms also are disclosed.
Abstract:
A tribo-inhaler (100) having a container portion (104) for electrostatically retaining a predefined dose of medicament powder and extracting the medicament powder by inhaling air through the container portion.
Abstract:
Controlled release, multi-step drug dosage forms comprising a plurality of dose units and a plurality of separators that control release of drug from the dose units. In one embodiment, a dose unit is a single dosage amount of a drug that is electrostatically deposited onto a substrate. The dosage forms are designed to deliver a drug to exhibit a desired pharmacokinetic profile.
Abstract:
A charged particle (Bead) is moved from a first electrode (9) to a second electrode (10) also with the aid of a guide electrode (Guide Electrode).
Abstract:
Provided is an electrostatic sensing chuck for attracting particles to a portion of a particle contact surface near a deposition electrode, the electrostatic sensing chuck comprising a pixel comprising: a deposition electrode (DE) for selectively establishing an attraction field (Ea) at the particle contact surface; a shield electrode (SE) oppositely biased with respect to the deposition electrode; a charge sensing circuit to measure charge accumulated on each of the deposition electrode and the shield electrode, wherein the charge sensing circuit subtracts a second charge it senses at the shield electrode from a first charge it senses at the deposition electrode, thereby determining accumulated charge at the deposition electrode balanced by accumulated charge at the shield electrode.