DOSING SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES RELEASE BY MEANS OF DOSING MEMBRANES

Abstract

The membrane dosing system for controlled release of substances from the container provides controlled release characteristics (delayed, prolonged and intensity) of one or more active substances from one or more different parts of the same container housed in a medium that dissolves (erodes) membranes into an environment. The dosage system shown consists of three basic parts, two outer elements (2 and 4) and one internal dividing element (3) which is connecting the outer elements (2 and 4) and forming two compartments (5 and 6). The membranes (7 and 8) can be of different shapes and thicknesses. Compartments (5 and 6) are spaces for inserting a substance that may be same or different. The thickness, diameter and shape of the membranes (7 and 8) determine the moment at which the contents will start to leak from of one individual compartment of the (capsule) container into the environment.

Claims

1-4. (canceled)

5. Dosing system for the release of an active substance comprising one or more membranes (7, 8) and one or more exterior container elements (2, 4), wherein an active substance release profile, preferably a prolonged or delayed release profile, is defined by the membranes' geometrical shape.

6. Container according to claim 5, wherein the membranes (7,8) are connected to the exterior container elements (2, 4) with sharp or slight joints.

7. Container according to claim 5, wherein the geometrical shape is a sphere, truncated cone, double truncated cone, pyramid, cylinder, concave lense or convex lense.

8. Container according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the shapes is truncated.

9. Container according to claim 5, wherein the membrane is bent towards the capsule interior.

10. Container according to claim 5, wherein the membrane protrudes from the container.

11. Container according to claim 5, wherein the container is at least partially composed of polyvinyl alcohol.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are included in the description and which make the description of the invention, illustrate the before said problems:

[0013] 1. FIG. 1—the illustration of dosing membrane capsules for oral use in the cross-section

[0014] 2. FIG. 2—the illustration of the position and details of the dosing membrane connection in relation to the thickness of the tank wall

[0015] 3. FIG. 3—the illustration of a dosing membrane with uneven thickness

A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] As can be seen from the drawings in the appendix, the application of dosing membranes is shown in the example of a capsule.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a cylindrical capsule with spherical ends in cross section.

[0018] The shown capsule consists of three basic parts, two outer elements 2 and 4 and one inner dividing element 3 that connects the outer elements 2 and 4 and makes two compartments 5 and 6. The membranes 7 and 8 can be of different shapes. In the case of a circular shape, the thickness of the membrane is from 0.5 mm to 99% of the thickness of the walls of the outer elements, and the diameter of the circle of the membrane is from 1 mm to the size of the diameter of the capsule cylinder. The thickness of the membrane is the same throughout the surface of the membrane and less than the thickness of the walls. The thickness of the inner dividing element 3, which is also the divider of sections 5 and 6, has a thickness that is defined according to the desired effects. Sections 5 and 6 of the container insert a substance that may be the same or different. The thickness of the membranes 7 and 8 determines the moment at which the contents from one capsule container will release. When administered orally to the body, in the event that the aim is to endure the complete container without releasing the substance into the stomach and enter the intestines, the thinner membrane 7 is releasing the substance from the interior of compartment 6 first into the intestines and after the estimated release time from compartment 6, the release begins from the compartment 5 through the membrane 8. Due to the proper decomposition of all the walls, discharge takes place through the cavity 8 from compartment 5 of the capsule. By the described system, it is shown that the container has endured without leakage of the substance in the stomach medium. In the intestines a programmed prolonged release is achieved which can be combined with the impulse effect by affecting the different performances of the dosing membranes of the individual parts of the capsule. On the other hand, if the goal is releasing in the stomach, the thickness and material are determined according to the conditions in the stomach that will affect the degradation of the walls. By combining the thickness of the membranes (or the type of material of the membrane), a suitable combination of delayed and prolonged release of the active substances in the capsule can be achieved.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows examples of the position and details of the connection of the dosing membranes relative to the thickness of the container walls.

[0020] The positions of the dosing membranes relative to the wall are shown as follows:

[0021] A—the dosing membrane is on the outside of the thickness of the container wall

[0022] B—the dosing membrane is at the level of outside the thickness of the container wall

[0023] C—the dosing membrane is within the wall thickness of the container wall

[0024] D—the dosing membrane is at the level of the inner thickness of the container wall

[0025] E—the dosing membrane is on the inside of the thickness of the container walls

[0026] FIG. 2 also shows some forms of connections of the membrane and the tank wall, with a sharp joint or a slight joint (slopes and radii). Different variations are possible according to needs. The membranes can be made of the same material as the tank walls but also of materials of different characteristics.

[0027] Instead of the shown compound connection of the dosing membrane and the wall, the dosing membrane can be made as a separate element of suitable characteristics, which is inserted into the corresponding opening on the container wall. The surfaces of the dosing membranes can be of different regular or irregular geometric shapes according to the needs.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows examples of dosing membrane of uneven thickness.

[0029] In order to achieve corresponding effects, dosage membranes of unequal thickness may be used. The picture shows:

[0030] F—dosing membrane in the form of sphere and

[0031] G—dosing membrane in the form of a truncated cone or pyramid. Other shapes are also possible such as concave or convex lenses, double truncated cones or pyramids and similar.

[0032] The choice of the membrane position with respect to the outer element wall, the geometry of the connection/joint of the membrane and the outer element wall, and the geometry of the shape and thickness of the membrane is dependent on the desired target, taking also into account the swelling effect of the material which the membrane (and the capsule wall) is made of.

[0033] The mentioned is particularly noteworthy when PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) material is used, which is the most common case.

Method of Application of the Invention

[0034] The primary objective is to provide controlled release characteristics (delayed, prolonged, continuous and intensity) of one or more substances from one or more of the same or different parts of the same dosing system into the environment in a cheap, simple and effective manner.

LIST OF USED REFERENCE SIGNS

[0035] 1—section of capsule

[0036] 2—external element

[0037] 3—internal dividing element

[0038] 4—external element

[0039] 5—section

[0040] 6—section

[0041] 7—thinner membrane

[0042] 8—thicker membrane