abstract |
A dispensing system for the sustained releasing of a substance at a substantially constant rate includes semipermeable capsules containing a material to be released. The capsules comprise membranes having pores of dimensions sufficient to control the kinetics of release provided there is maintained a large intracapsular concentration of the substance relative to the concentration desired in the extracapsular environment. The system may be produced by forming permeable capsules, suspending the capsules in a solution containing a high concentration of the substance to load the intracapsular volume, and then post-treating the capsules to reduce the size of the pores. |