| abstract |
Embodiments of the present invention provide swallowable devices, preparations, and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents in the gastrointestinal tract. Some embodiments provide a swallowable device, such as a capsule, for delivering a drug into the intestinal wall or other gastrointestinal lumen. The device comprises a capsule that is swallowed and sized to pass through the intestinal tract. The capsule can include at least one guide tube, one or more tissue penetrating members positioned within the guide tube, a delivery member, an actuation mechanism, and a release element. The release element degrades upon exposure to various conditions in the intestine to release and activate the actuation mechanism. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs that are poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, are less resistant and / or are degraded. |