ORAL DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE

Abstract

Disclosed is an oral drug delivery device, comprising a tubular member, a drug holding part, a device cap and a turbulence-creating means. The tubular member has openings at both ends and an inner cavity; the opening at one end is a first opening and the opening at the other end is a second opening; the inner cavity communicates the first opening and the second opening. The turbulence-creating means comprises a step structure or a fold structure, and is disposed in the inner cavity and positioned between the second opening and the drug holding part. By using the oral drug delivery device of the present invention, turbulence can be generated during a normal sipping process, thereby providing ample mixing of drug-containing granules or multi-particulates with drinkable liquids. Moreover, the device is telescopic, which reduces the size and is convenient to carry.

Claims

1. An oral drug delivery device comprising a tubular member, a drug holding part, a device cap and a turbulence-creating means, wherein the tubular member has openings at both ends and an inner cavity with a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end, and the inner cavity communicates the first opening and the second opening; the drug holding part has a porous structure, which is retained in the inner cavity near the first opening for holding granules or multi-particulates containing active pharmaceutical ingredients; the porous structure has one or more orifices allowing the passage of liquid, and the orifices has a smaller diameter than the granules or multi-particulates containing the active pharmaceutical ingredients; the device cap is a detachable connection and is disposed outside the second opening; the turbulence-creating means comprises a step structure or a fold structure provided in the inner cavity and positioned between the second opening and the drug holding part.

2. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first opening has a diameter smaller than the minimum diameter of the drug holding part.

3. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein the tubular member has at least two tubular segments which are connected to each other hermetically and can be elongated or shorten axially along the tubular member; when the tubular member is elongated, a turbulence-creating means with at least one step structure is formed.

4. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 3, wherein the number of the tubular segments is 2-5.

5. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 4, wherein, when the number of the tubular segments is three: in the direction from the first opening to the second opening, the inner diameter of the first tubular segment is the same as the inner diameter of the third tubular segment, and the outer diameter of the second tubular segment is smaller than the inner diameter of the first tubular segment, wherein each tubular segment can be elongated or shorten axially along the other tubular segments; or, the inner diameter of the first tubular segment, the outer diameter of the second tubular segment, the inner diameter of the second tubular segment and the outer diameter of the third tubular segment gradually decrease in the direction from the first opening to the second opening, and each tubular segment can be elongated or shorten axially along the other tubular segments; when the number of the tubular segments is four: in the direction from the first opening to the second opening, the inner diameter of the first tubular segment is the same as the inner diameter of the third tubular segment, and the inner diameter of the second tubular segment is the same as the inner diameter of the fourth tubular segment, wherein the inner diameter of the second tubular segment is smaller than the first tubular segment, and each tubular segment can be elongated or shorten axially along the other tubular segments; or, the inner diameters of the first tubular segment to the fourth tubular segment in the direction from the first opening to the second opening gradually decrease, and each tubular segment can be elongated or shorten axially along the other tubular segments.

6. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein the tubular member has at least one fold structure with a pair of wing parts and a turning end; the fold structure can be elongated or shorten axially along the tubular member, and forming a turbulence-creating means when the tubular member is elongated.

7. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 6, wherein a plurality of successive fold structures forms a fold cluster configuration having a number of 1-5.

8. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 6, wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the inner cavity at the fold structure is smaller than that of the inner cavity at the junction of the tubular member and the fold structure, and the minimum inner diameter of the cavity section at the fold structure is not less than one-fifth of the cross-sectional diameter of the inner cavity of the tubular member.

9. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a maximum outer diameter of 4.0-15.0 mm and a minimum inner diameter of 2.0-14.8 mm, and the length of the tubular member is 5-30 cm in a shorten form and 10-50 cm in an elongated form.

10. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 1, when the drug holding part comprises granules or multi-particulates containing active pharmaceutical ingredients, the granules or multi-particulates has a diameter of 50-5000 μm; the active pharmaceutical ingredients contained in the granules or multi-particulates include, but are not limited to one or more of the following: dabigatran etexilate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, levodopa/carbidopa, montelukast, lansoprazole, omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, pseudoephedrine and diphenhydramine.

11. A method for preparing the oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 1, comprising the following steps: 1) preparing the turbulence-creating means and assembling it with the tubular member; 2) preparing the drug holding part and retaining it in the inner cavity near the first opening; 3) setting the device cap at the second opening.

12. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 2, wherein the second opening has a diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the drug holding part.

13. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 4, wherein the number of the tubular segments is 2-4.

14. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 13, wherein the number of the tubular segments is 3.

15. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 7, wherein a plurality of successive fold structures forms a fold cluster configuration having a number of 2-3.

16. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 10, wherein the granules or multi-particulates has a diameter of 75-2000 μm.

17. The oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 16, wherein the granules or multi-particulates has a diameter of 100-1000 μm.

18. The method for preparing the oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 11, wherein the step of filling the drug is further included before the step 3).

19. A method for promoting the drug swallowing of a patient in need by using the oral drug delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein the device cap is removed from the second opening prior to use; the first opening end is in contact with drinkable liquids; the second opening end is placed in the patient's mouth; wherein the tubular member allows the passage of the drinkable liquids and create turbulence; the drug holding part is located inside the tubular member near the first opening end to retain the drug in the form of granules or multi-particulates.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein, when the drug holding part comprises granules or multi-particulates containing active pharmaceutical ingredients, the granules or multi-particulates has a diameter of 50-5000 μm; the active pharmaceutical ingredients contained in the granules or multi-particulates include, but are not limited to one or more of the following: dabigatran etexilate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, levodopa/carbidopa, montelukast, lansoprazole, omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, pseudoephedrine and diphenhydramine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C are schematic diagrams of an oral drug delivery device including a turbulence-creating means with a step structure, type I: FIG. 1A. in a shorten form, FIG. 1B. in an elongated form prior to sipping action, FIG. 1C. in an elongated form during sipping action;

[0043] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C are schematic diagrams of an oral drug delivery device including a turbulence-creating means with a step structure, type II: FIG. 2A. in a shorten form, FIG. 2B. in an elongated form prior to sipping action, FIG. 2C. in an elongated form during sipping action;

[0044] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are schematic diagrams of an oral drug delivery device including a turbulence-creating means with a fold structure: FIG. 3A. in a shorten form, FIG. 3B. in an elongated form prior to sipping action, FIG. 3C. in an elongated form during sipping action;

[0045] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B are schematic diagrams of the plug flow and turbulence: FIG. 4A. turbulence formed by the oral drug delivery device of the present invention including a turbulence-creating means with a step structure; FIG. 4B. turbulence formed by the oral drug delivery device of the present invention including a turbulence-creating means with a fold structure;

[0046] FIG. 5 is the dissolution profile of the granules described in Example 1.

[0047] FIG. 6 is the dissolution profile of the multi-particulates described in Example 2.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0048] 1: tubular member

[0049] 11: first tubular segment

[0050] 12: second tubular segment

[0051] 13: third tubular segment

[0052] 2: first opening

[0053] 21: inward crimp of the first opening

[0054] 3: second opening

[0055] 31: inward crimp of the second opening

[0056] 4: device cap

[0057] 5: granules or multi-particulates containing active pharmaceutical ingredients

[0058] 6: drug holding part

[0059] 61: orifice

[0060] 7: step structure

[0061] 71: first step

[0062] 71: second step

[0063] 8: fold cluster

[0064] 81: first fold cluster

[0065] 811: fold structure

[0066] 82: second fold cluster

[0067] 9: inner cavity

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0068] The following examples of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the drawings. In the drawings of the description, elements with similar structures or functions will be represented by the same element symbols. It is understood that the drawings are only used to facilitate the description of the embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to be an exhaustive description of the present invention nor to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0069] An oral drug delivery device including a turbulence-creating means having a step structure is prepared in the present invention. FIG. 1A to FIG. 2C respectively show a cross-sectional view of the type I and type II telescopic configuration of the oral drug delivery device according to the present invention. The oral drug delivery device is in a shorten form prior to use (FIG. 1A or FIG. 2A) and in an elongated form prior to sipping action (FIG. 1B or FIG. 2B), and granules are suspended during the sipping process (FIG. 1C or FIG. 2C). The oral drug delivery device shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 2C comprises a tubular member 1 that can be elongated or shorten having a first opening 2, a second opening 3 and a device cap 4. FIG. 1A to FIG. 2C illustrate a tubular member composed of three tubular segments 11, 12, and 13, respectively. In FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C, in the direction from the first opening 2 to the second opening 3, the inner diameter of the first tubular segment 11 is the same as that of the third tubular segment 13, and the outer diameter of the second tubular segment 12 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first tubular segment 11, so that the first tubular segment 11 and the third tubular segment 13 can be elongated (FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C) or shorten (FIG. 1A) axially along the second tubular segment 12. In FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, the inner diameter of the first tubular segment 11, the outer diameter and inner diameter of the second tubular segment 12, and the outer diameter of the third tubular segment 13 in the direction from the first opening 2 to the second opening 3 gradually decrease, however, the edge lines on the same side of the profile of the three tubular segments are parallel to each other, so that the third tubular segment 13 and the second tubular segment 12 can be elongated (FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C) or shorten (FIG. 2A) axially along the first tubular segment 11.

[0070] The drug holding part 6 is arranged in the inner cavity 9 of the tubular member 1 near the first opening 2, and the structure when it contains granules or multi-particulates 5 is showed in the figure. After the drug holding part 6 is placed in the inner cavity, the end of the first opening 2 is an inward crimp 21, so that the diameter of the opening after inwardly crimped is smaller than the minimum diameter of the structure of the drug holding part 6; the end of the second opening 3 is an inward crimp 31, so that the diameter of the opening after inwardly crimped is smaller than the maximum diameter of the structure of the drug holding part 6, thereby retaining the drug holding part 6 in the inner cavity. And a device cap 4 is arranged outside the second opening 3. The drug holding part 6 is matched with the tubular member 1 to form a space 5 that can contain the drug (in the example of the present invention, it appears as granules and multi-particulates structure, and the active ingredient of the drugs is contained in the granules and multi-particulates structure). The drug holding part 6 comprises a porous structure having a plurality of orifices 61, whose diameter is smaller than the granules or multi-particulates 5, allowing the passage of drinkable liquids; but when no liquid passes through, the granules or multi-particulates 5 remain in the inner cavity 9 of the tubular member 1. The oral drug delivery device is elongated to form a step structure 7, which is shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 2C, and the step structure is arranged in the position of the inner cavity 9 between the second opening 3 and the drug holding part 6. The step structure 7 shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 2C has a first step 71 and a second step 72, by sipping action, drinkable liquids pass through the steps 71 and 72 to create turbulence, thereby enhancing the mixing of drug-containing granules or multi-particulates 5 with drinkable liquids. It is well known to those skilled in the art that when the number of tubular segments increases, the total number of the step structures also increases accordingly, so the Reynolds number of created turbulences is also greater; in addition, when the height of the step structure increases in the range of the conventional art, the Reynolds number of created turbulences is also greater.

[0071] An oral drug delivery device including a turbulence-creating means with a fold structure is also prepared in the present invention. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C show a cross-sectional view of the accordion-type fold cluster configuration of the oral drug delivery device according to the present invention. The device is in a shorten form prior to use (FIG. 3A) and in an elongated form prior to sipping action (FIG. 3B), and granules are suspended during the sipping process (FIG. 3C). The oral drug delivery device shown in FIG. 3Ato FIG. 3C comprises tubular member 1 that can be elongated with an inner cavity 9 and a plurality of fold cluster configurations, two fold cluster configurations 81 and 82 are shown in FIG. 3Ato FIG. 3C. Each fold cluster configuration has a plurality of fold structures 811. The oral drug delivery device comprises a first opening 2, a second opening 3 and a device cap 4. Contained in the inner cavity 9 of the tubular member are granules or multi-particulates containing active pharmaceutical ingredients 5 and a drug holding part 6. After the drug holding part 6 is placed in the inner cavity, the end of the first opening 2 is inwardly crimped, so that the diameter of the opening after inwardly crimped is smaller than the minimum diameter of the drug holding part 6; the end of the second opening 3 is inwardly crimped 31, so that the diameter of the opening after inwardly crimped is smaller than the maximum diameter of the structure of the drug holding part 6, thereby retaining the drug holding part 6 in the inner cavity. In addition, a device cap 4 is arranged outside the second opening 3. The drug holding part 6 shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C is a porous structure, which has a plurality of orifices 61 and is positioned in the inner cavity 9 of the tubular member near the first opening 2. The drug holding part 6 is matched with the tubular member 1 to form a space that can contain the drug granules or multi-particulates containing active pharmaceutical ingredients 5. The diameter of orifices 61 of the porous structure is smaller than that of the granules or multi-particulates 5, thereby allowing the passage of drinkable liquids; but when there is no liquid passed through, the granules or multi-particulates 5 remain in the inner cavity 9 of the tubular member 1. When the oral drug delivery device is in an elongated form, drinkable liquids flow through the fold structure 811 to create turbulence through the sipping action, thereby enhancing the mixing of granules or multi-particulates containing active pharmaceutical ingredients 5 with drinkable liquids. It is well known to those skilled in the art that when the number of fold clusters increases, the total number of the fold structure also increases accordingly, so the Reynolds number of created turbulences is also greater; in addition, when the height of the protrusion of the fold structure toward the inner cavity increases in the range of the conventional art, the Reynolds number of created turbulences is also greater.

[0072] It is well known to those skilled in the art that after the drug holding part 6 is placed in the inner cavity 9 through the first opening 2 end, the device cap 4 can be directly disposed outside the second opening 3. At this time, because the device cap is connected to the second opening hermetically, even if the end of the second opening 3 is not inwardly crimped, due to the existence of the step structure or the fold structure, the drug holding part 6 will not reach the outside of the second opening 3 through the cavity 9, thereby retaining the drug holding part 6 in the inner cavity 9. At this time, if the end of the second opening 3 is inwardly crimped, the diameter of the opening after inwardly crimped is smaller than the maximum diameter of the drug holding part, which can further ensure that the drug holding part 6 will not be sipped into the patient's mouth, leading to medical accidents during the use of the oral drug delivery device.

[0073] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B schematically shows the plug flow and turbulence created by the oral drug delivery device including a turbulence-creating means with a step structure or a fold structure according to the present invention.

[0074] In the present invention, the tubular member 1 of the oral drug delivery device generally has an outer diameter between 4.0 mm and 15.0 mm. The inner cavity 9 of the tubular member 1 has a diameter usually between 2.0 mm and 14.8 mm. The length of the tubular member 1 is between 5 cm and 15 cm in its prepared form, and between 10 cm and 30 cm in its elongated form.

[0075] The preferred materials for manufacturing the tubular member 1, the drug holding part 6 and the device cap 4 are polypropylene and polyolefin family polymers conventional in the art.

[0076] The active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) covered by the present invention include, but are not limited to, dabigatran etexilate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, levodopa/carbidopa, montelukast, lansoprazole, omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, pseudoephedrine and diphenhydramine.

[0077] In an embodiment, an oral drug delivery device comprises dabigatran etexilate methylate (DEM) with enhanced solubility in the form of granules, which is prepared by using a hot melt granulation process.

[0078] In another embodiment, an oral drug delivery device comprises dabigatran etexilate methylate (DEM) with enhanced solubility in the form of multi-particulates, the DEM is prepared by using a spraying process.

[0079] In another embodiment, an oral drug delivery device comprises an extended-release levodopa/carbidopa formulation in the form of multi-particulates, which is prepared by using extrusion, spheronization, and coating processes.

[0080] In another embodiment of the present invention, an oral administration delivery device comprises montelukast granules, which are prepared by conventional granulation process, including wet granulation, fluidized bed granulation, dry granulation, and the like.

[0081] In another embodiment of the present invention, an oral administration delivery device comprises lansoprazole in the form of multi-particulates and amoxicillin and clarithromycin in the form of granules, the multi-particulates are prepared by spraying and coating processes, and the granules are prepared by conventional granulation process, including wet granulation, fluidized bed granulation, dry granulation, and the like.

[0082] In another embodiment of the present invention, an oral administration delivery device comprises omeprazole in the form of multi-particulates and amoxicillin and clarithromycin in the form of granules, the multi-particulates are prepared by spraying and coating processes, and the granules are prepared by conventional granulation process, including wet granulation, fluidized bed granulation, dry granulation, and the like.

[0083] In another embodiment of the present invention, an oral administration delivery device comprises cold drug granules prepared by conventional granulation process, including wet granulation, fluidized bed granulation, dry granulation, and the like.

[0084] One of the oral drug delivery devices in the present invention is an oral drug delivery device including a turbulence-creating means with a stepped structure. One configuration of the device may be manufactured by the following manufacturing steps. First, a three-part tubular member (type I or type II, see FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A) is manufactured by the traditional method of manufacturing straws.

[0085] Next, the drug holding part 6 is inserted into the first opening 2 end of the tubular member 1. Then, the end is inwardly crimped so that the drug holding part 6 can be retained in the inner cavity 9 of the tubular member 1. After that, the granules or multi-particulates containing active pharmaceutical ingredients 5 are filled into the tubular member 1 through the second opening 3 end of the tubular member 1. Finally, the filled tubular member 1 is enclosed by the device cap 4 and wrapped with an aluminum pouch (not shown in figures).

[0086] Another oral drug delivery device in the present invention is an oral drug delivery device including a turbulence-creating means with a fold structure. The device may be manufactured by the following manufacturing steps. First, the tubular member 1 with three sets of accordion-type fold configurations 8 is manufactured by the traditional process of manufacturing straws. Next, the drug holding part 6 is inserted into the first opening 2 end of the tubular member 1. Then, the end of the first opening 2 is inwardly crimped so that the drug holding part 6 can be retained in the inner cavity 9 of the tubular member 1. After that, the granules or multi-particulates containing active pharmaceutical ingredients 5 are filled into the tubular member 1 through the second opening 3 end of the tubular member 1. Finally, the filled tubular member 1 is enclosed by the device cap 4 and wrapped with an aluminum pouch (not shown in figures).

[0087] The present invention is further explained by specific embodiments below, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the described embodiments. In the following examples, the experimental methods not specified in the following embodiments shall be selected in accordance with the conventional methods and conditions or in accordance with the product specifications.

EXAMPLE 1

[0088] Multi-particulates containing dabigatran etexilate mesylate (DEM) were prepared by spraying the solid solution/dispersion composition onto sugar pellets. The composition comprises, in weight percentage, 40% of dabigatran etexilate mesylate (DEM), 10% of polyethylene caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol-grafted copolymer, Soluplus, and 50% of polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene ether block copolymer, Kolliphor P407. First, these solid components were dissolved in 92% ethanol to prepare a coating solution with 24.2% of solid content. Then, 714.8 g of the coating solution containing 173.0 g of solid components was sprayed onto 346.0 g of pre-dried sugar cores by using a fluidized bed granulator with Wurster insert under appropriate air inlet pressure and at 38-40° C. of air inlet temperature. During the coating process, the spraying speed and atomization pressure were adjusted to keep the product temperature at 28-30° C. After the coating solution was exhausted, the coated pills were dried in a fluidized bed until the water content was below 1.7%. The target weight ratio of the drug layer to the sucrose core was 0.5:1.0. Additional Soluplus granules (180 mg) were added in the form of powder (<80 mesh). The Soluplus powder used in this experiment was obtained by grinding Soluplus granules, followed by sieving them with an 80-mesh sieve.

[0089] The DEM comprising multi-particulates (552.4 mg for 50 mg dose and 648.6 mg for 75 mg dose) and Soluplus powder (120 mg for 50 mg dose and 180 mg for 75 mg dose) were filled into the inwardly crimped first opening 2 end of the tubular member 1 through the second opening 3 end. Finally, the filled tubular member was enclosed by a device cap and wrapped with an aluminum pouch (not shown in figures). The compositions of the multi-particulates fill formulation in the device were listed in the Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 The compositions of the multi-particulates fill formulation in Example 1 wt/piece, mg wt/piece, mg Compositions wt % (50 mg dose) (75 mg dose) Dabigatran etexilate mesylate 10.4 57.7 86.5 (DEM)* Soluplus 2.6 14.4 21.6 Kolliphor P407 13.1 72.1 108.1 Sucrose core 52.2 288.2 432.4 Soluplus powder 21.7 120.0 180.0 Total content 100.0 552.4 828.6 *57.7 mg and 86.5 mg DEM are equivalent to 50 mg and 75 mg of its free base, respectively.

[0090] A two-stage method with 45 minutes at the gastric phase (pH 2.0) and 10 minutes at the intestinal phase (pH 6.8) was used to measure the dissolution profile of the fill formulation. As shown in FIG. 5, compared with the commercial product Pradaxa®, the fill formulation in this example showed a more rapid dissolution at low pH and less precipitation at pH 6.8. The error bars represented the standard deviation of n=3.

EXAMPLE 2

[0091] In this example, a DEM comprising granular formulation was prepared by a hot melt granulation process. The compositions of the hot melt DEM formulation were listed in the Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 The compositions of hot melt DEM formulation mg/piece mg/piece, Compositions wt % (50 mg dose) (75 mg dose) Dabigatran etexilate mesylate 17.2 57.7 86.5 (DEM) Soluplus ® 35.7 120.0 180.0 Mannitol 17.9 60.0 90.0 Kolliphor P188 19.0 64.0 96.0 Cross-linked 9.7 32.7 49.1 carboxymethylcellulose sodium Magnesium stearate 0.5 1.7 2.5 Total content 100.0 336.1 504.1 *57.7 mg and 86.5 mg DEM are equivalent to 50 mg and 75 mg of its free base, respectively.

[0092] The hot melt granulation process is briefly described as follows. First, Soluplus® was ground and passed through an 80-mesh sieve, and Kolliphor P188 was ground and passed through a 40-mesh sieve, and then the sieved Soluplus® powder was mixed with other excipients except magnesium stearate in a high-shear granulator with a thermal jacket at the temperature of 65-75° C. until formation of consistent and homogeneous granules were formed. Next, the hot melt granules were passed through a 20-mesh sieve and then blended with magnesium stearate.

[0093] The hot melt DEM granular preparations (336.1 mg for 50 mg dose, 504.1 mg for 75 mg dose) were filled into the inwardly crimped first opening 2 end of the tubular member through the second opening 3 end. Finally, the filled tubular member was enclosed by a device cap and wrapped in an aluminum pouch (not shown in figures). A two-stage method, 45 mins at the gastric stage (pH 2.0) followed by the intestinal stage (pH 6.8), was used to measure the dissolution profile of the fill formulation. As shown in FIG. 6, compared with Pradaxa®, the fill formulation in this example showed significantly faster dissolution at acidic pH and much less precipitation at the neutral pH. The error bars represent the standard deviation of n=3.

EXAMPLE 3

[0094] In this example, a fill formulation was composed of immediate-release levodopa/carbidopa granules and levodopa extended-release multi-particulates. The compositions of the fill formulation were listed in Table 3. The immediate-release granules were prepared by conventional wet granulation process, and extended-release multi-particulates were prepared by extrusion/spheronization/spray coating process. The coating level of the extended-release multi-particulates was 5.1% by weight, with 90% of levodopa released at approximately 3.9 hours.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 The compositions of the levodopa/carbidopa formulation in Example 3 Compositions wt % mg/piece Immediate-release granules Levodopa 42.3 50.0 Carbidopa monohydrate* 45.7 54.0 Sodium dodecyl sulfate 1.9 2.4 Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) E5 4.8 5.6 Cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose sodium 4.8 5.6 Magnesium stearate 0.5 0.6 Total content 100.0 118.2 Extended-release multi-particulates Levodopa 70.41 200.0 Microcrystalline cellulose 19.03 54.1 Sodium dodecyl sulfate 3.81 10.8 Povidone K29/32 1.90 5.4 Cellulose acetate 39.8 4.12 11.7 Copovidon (Kollidone VA64) 0.73 2.1 Total content 100.00 284.1 *54 mg of carbidopa monohydrate is equivalent to 50 mg of carbidopa.

EXAMPLE 4

[0095] Under the coating level of 7.7% and 10.9% instead of 5.1%, the preparation process and fill formulation of the extended-release multi-particulates in Example 3 were repeated in this example, with 90% of levodopa released at approximately 6.6 hours and 9.3 hours, respectively.

EXAMPLE 5

[0096] In this example, the extended-release multi-particulates described in Examples 3 and 4 were coated with conventional enteric-soluble compositions in the art at a coating level of 3-10%.

EXAMPLE 6

[0097] In this example, the fill formulation was in the form of granules comprising montelukast sodium, mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose and magnesium stearate. The immediate-release granules were prepared by a wet granulation process using a high-shear granulator.

[0098] The compositions of the fill formulation were listed in Table 4.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 The compositions of montelukast fill formulation Compositions mg/piece wt % Montelukast sodium * 4.2 0.83 Mannitol 468.4 93.67 Hydroxypropyl cellulose 25.0 5.00 Magnesium stearate 2.5 0.50 Total content 500.0 100.00 * 4.2 mg of montelukast sodium is equivalent to 4 mg of montelukast.

[0099] The montelukast granular formulations (500 mg) were filled into the inwardly crimped first opening 2 end of the tubular member through the second opening 3 end. Finally, the filled tubular member was enclosed by a device cap and wrapped with an aluminum pouch (not shown in figures).

[0100] Montelukast sodium in the fill formulation can be rapidly dissolved in an aqueous medium, with 85% of the drug dissolved in less than 30 minutes.

EXAMPLE 7

[0101] In this example, the procedures of Example 6 were repeated for providing a same fill formulation. In this example, the filling weight was 625 mg instead. Each filled device comprised 5 mg of montelukast.

EXAMPLE 8

[0102] In this example, the procedures of Example 6 were repeated for providing a same fill formulation. In this example, the filling weight was 1250 mg instead. Each filled device comprised 10 mg of montelukast.

EXAMPLE 9

[0103] In this example, the procedures of Example 6 were repeated for providing a fill formulation, the compositions of which were listed in Table 5. In this example, the fill weight was 500 mg. Each filled device comprised 10 mg of montelukast.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 The compositions of montelukast formulation in Example 9 Compositions mg/piece wt % Montelukast sodium * 10.4 2.08 Mannitol 462.1 92.42 Hydroxypropyl cellulose 25.0 5.00 Magnesium stearate 2.5 0.50 Total content 500.0 100.00 * 10.4 mg of montelukast sodium is equivalent to 10 mg of montelukast.

EXAMPLE 10

[0104] In this example, the filler was composed of three formulations, the first being lansoprazole delayed-release multi-particulates, the second being amoxicillin granules, and the third being clarithromycin granules. The compositions of the filler were listed in Table 6. In this example, the fill weight of lansoprazole delayed-release multi-particulates, amoxicillin granules, and clarithromycin granules was 480 mg, 1334 mg, and 840 mg, respectively. Each filled device comprises 30 mg of lansoprazole, 1000 mg of amoxicillin and 500 mg of clarithromycin.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 The compositions of the fill formulation in Example 10 Compositions mg/piece wt % Lansoprazole delayed-release multi-particulates: Core: Lansoprazole 30.0 6.3 Sugar pellets 150.0 31.3 Corn starch 54.0 11.3 Sucrose 58.0 12.1 Low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose 54.0 11.3 Hydroxypropyl cellulose 4.0 0.8 Magnesium carbonate 30.0 6.3 Enteric coating: Eudragit L-30D solid component 62.8 13.1 Talcum powder 19.2 4.0 PEG 6000 6.4 1.3 Tween 80 3.2 0.7 Titanium dioxide 8.4 1.8 Total content 480.0 100.0 Amoxicillin granules: Amoxicillin trihydrate 1000 75.0 Microcrystalline cellulose 327 24.5 Magnesium stearate 7 0.5 Total content 1334 100.0 Clarithromycin granules: Clarithromycin 500 59.5 Microcrystalline cellulose 252 30.0 Cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose sodium 42 5.0 Povidone 42 5.0 Magnesium stearate 4 0.5 Total content 840 100.00

EXAMPLE 11

[0105] In this example, the filler was composed of three formulations, the first being omeprazole delayed-release multi-particulates, the second being amoxicillin granules, and the third being clarithromycin granules. The compositions of the filler were listed in Table 7. In this example, the fill weight of omeprazole delayed-release multi-particulates, amoxicillin granules, and clarithromycin granules is 320 mg, 1334 mg, and 840 mg, respectively. Each filled device included 20 mg of omeprazole, 1000 mg of amoxicillin and 500 mg of clarithromycin.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 The compositions of the fill formulation in Example 11 Compositions mg/piece wt % Omeprazole delayed-release multi-particulates: Core: Omeprazole 20.0 6.3 Sugar pellets 100.0 31.3 Corn starch 36.0 11.3 Sucrose 38.7 12.1 Low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose 36.0 11.3 Hydroxypropyl cellulose 2.7 0.8 Magnesium carbonate 20.0 6.3 Enteric coating: Eudragit L-30D solid component 41.9 13.1 Talcum powder 12.8 4.0 PEG 6000 4.3 1.3 Tween 80 2.1 0.7 Titanium dioxide 5.6 1.8 Total content 320.0 100.0 Amoxicillin granules: Amoxicillin trihydrate 1000 75.0 Microcrystalline cellulose 327 24.5 Magnesium stearate 7 0.5 Total content 1334 100.0 Clarithromycin granules: Clarithromycin 500 59.5 Microcrystalline cellulose 252 30.0 Cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose sodium 42 5.0 Povidone 42 5.0 Magnesium stearate 4 0.5 Total content 840 100.00

EXAMPLE 12

[0106] In this example, the fill formulation in the form of granules comprised each individual drug or a combination of the following cold drugs: acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, pseudoephedrine and diphenhydramine. The immediate-release granules can be prepared by a wet granulation process using a high-shear granulator. The dosage ranges of these APIs were listed in Table 8.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 The dosage ranges of the cold drugs in Example 12 Dosage Active pharmaceutical range preparation (drug) (mg) Acetaminophen  250-1000 Dextromethorphan 10-30 Doxylamine 6.25-12.5 Pseudoephedrine 20-30 Diphenhydramine 12.5-25