| abstract |
Devices for the controlled release of an active agent to the skin or mucosa of a host are disclosed, which devices are laminates of a backing layer (16, 116, 216, 316), a monolithic carrier layer (12, 112, 212, 312) of an active ingredient selected from active agent, active agent enhancers and mixtures thereof, melt-blended with a thermoplastic matrix polymer capable of controllably releasing the active ingredient, wherein the active ingredient is heat stable at the melt temperature of the matrix polymer, together with means (14, 114, 214, 314) for affixing the laminate to the skin or mucosa of the host so that the active ingredient is continuously released from the carrier layer thereto. Methods for assembling the device are also disclosed, in which a thermoplastic matrix polymer capable of controllably releasing an active ingredient is melt-blended with an active ingredient that is heat stable at the melt temperature of the matrix polymer, so that a melt-blend of the active ingredient and the thermoplastic matrix polymer is formed, which melt-blend is formed into a monolithic carrier layer (12, 112, 212, 312), and the carrier layer is then combined with a backing layer (16, 116, 216, 316) and means (14, 114, 214, 314) for affixing the laminate to the skin or mucosa of the host so that the active ingredient is released from the carrier layer thereto. |