A capsule device (100) suitable for ingestion for travelling into a lumen of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, the lumen having a lumen wall, wherein the capsule device (100) is configured as a self-righting capsule comprising: a) a capsule housing (110, 120) comprising a compartment and an exterior tissue engaging surface (123) defining an exit opening (124) leading from the compartment to the capsule exterior, b) a tissue penetrating member (130) arranged along an axis and configured to be advanced axially from a first position in the compartment through the exit opening (124) and into the lumen wall at a target location, and c) an actuator (140, 150) for coupling to the tissue penetrating member (130), the actuator (140, 150) configured, upon actuation, to move from the a first configuration to a second configuration thereby advancing the tissue penetrating member (130) axially from the first position and into the lumen wall, wherein the actuator (140, 150) comprises a spring (140) formed as a tapered helical tension spring, the spring (140) having a wide first end coupled to the capsule housing (110, 120) and a narrow second end that couples to the tissue penetrating member (130), wherein, in the first configuration, accumulated tension in the spring (140) is maintained, and wherein, upon actuation, accumulated tension in the spring (140) is released thereby moving the actuator (140, 150) towards the second configuration.

The present invention relates, in various embodiments, to formulations comprising hydrocortisone and silicon dioxide. In additional embodiments, the invention relates to suppositories comprising hydrocortisone and silicon dioxide. The formulations of the present invention are useful for administration to patients who have gastrointestinal diseases and disorders such as, for example, inflammatory bowel disease.

Systems, devices, and methods for delivering an implant to the orbit. In some instances, the systems may include a delivery device having a tongue member and a handle. The delivery device may further include an ejector configured to deliver an implant from the tongue member. The delivery device may also include a piercing member configured to create an opening in tissue. The systems may further include a piercing member for creating an opening in tissue. In some instances, the piercing member may have a first blade member rotatably connected to a second blade member.

A drug dosage form is provided in the form of a solid tablet which is greater than 50% by weight the local anesthetic agent. The local anesthetic agent may be selected from the group consisting of an aminoamide, an aminoester, and a combination thereof. The drug tablet may be in the form of a mini-tablet which is greater than 70 wt % drug, with the balance being excipient. For example, the anesthetic agent may include lidocaine, in a salt or base form, combined with binder and lubricant excipients. Implantable drug delivery devices including the tablets are also provided, e.g., one or more of the drug tablets may be contained in a biocompatible housing. The drug tablets may be substantially cylindrical with flat end faces, and the device may have from 10 to 100 drug tablets aligned in the housing with the flat end faces of adjacent tablets abutting one another.

Systems and methods for administration of small volume sufentanil drug dosage forms to the sublingual mucosa of a subject using a device are disclosed. The dispensing device includes a lock-out feature and a means to retard or prevent saliva and/or moisture ingress such that the drug dosage forms in the device remain dry prior to administration.

Rectal suppositories are used to administer a predetermined drug dosage to treat a variety of diseases and symptoms in a variety of patient populations. Certain medical conditions, such as digestive disorders, may be more effectively treated when the suppository is placed in a particular location of the patient's anal canal or rectum. An apparatus for inserting a suppository can include an applicator having a barrel, such as a hollow cylindrical body, and a plunger, such as a substantially cylindrical elongated body. The apparatus can include features to ensure that beneficial gas flow paths associated with the plunger or the barrel are maintained or that the apparatus can accommodate suppositories of different sizes. Embodiments may include features to facilitate gripping and manipulation of the apparatus for use by patients with limited dexterity. These benefits may encourage patients to maintain a course of treatment, thereby potentially avoiding additional complications, hospitalization, and costs.

A granule delivery system contains a plunger and a divided tube, wherein the divided tube has two or more partial shells which are suitable to be coupled to each other, so that a longitudinal channel is formed in the divided tube, each of the partial shells is able to move longitudinally in relation to the other, and the plunger is able to be inserted into the longitudinal channel, when the two or more partial shells are coupled to each other.

An applicator 270 includes a stem 174 having an axially-formed slot delivery passage 200. A slot 350 is formed transaxially through the stem 174 and is in communication with the slot delivery passage 200. An extended side wall 350b is formed on one side of the slot 350. A flat surface 354, which is formed in the stem 174, is spaced and extends angularly away from an opposite side of the slot 176 and from the extended side wall 350b to provide for direct and lateral dispensing of a cream 280 onto a tissue 242 of a patient.

An embeddable micro-needle patch for transdermal drug delivery and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The embeddable micro-needle patch for transdermal drug delivery comprises a supporting substrate, on which the surface includes a plurality of extruded supporting shafts; a biodegradable carrier, which is formed of biodegradable polymer material and disposed on the supporting shaft; and drugs, which are encapsulated in the biodegradable carrier. When the embeddable micro-needle patch for transdermal drug delivery is attached to the skin for a predetermined time, the biodegradable carrier is separated from the supporting shafts and embedded into the skin, and the biodegradable carrier may swell and then degrade, so as to release the drugs, which are encapsulated in the biodegradable carrier, at a rate of 1%-99% loaded drug per day into the skin. Accordingly, velocity of releasing the drugs may be regulated, so as to sustain the drug efficacy.

A system and related method for delivering the anti-tumoral agent carmustine or other types of diagnostic or therapeutic agents into the brain of a patient with a brain tumor includes an insertion device, a skull mount, and a reformulated geometry of the carmustine compound (or other material) optimized for use in the insertion device and for maximized biodegradation time. The insertion device may be front loaded with the carmustine material (or other material) and inserted through the mount on a skull, to the location of the brain tumor, where the carmustine (or other material) is then released. It should be appreciated that the diagnostic and/or therapeutic system and related method thereof are not necessarily limited to the brain of a subject. It may also be used in the organ structures or tubular structures, as well as portions and locations thereof.