| abstract |
Osmotically driven delivery capsules which include a beneficial agent and a water absorptive osmotic engine in separate compartments separated by a movable partition are designed to deliver the beneficial agent in a pulsatile manner through an orifice. The pulsatile delivery is achieved by a series of stops along the inner wall of the capsule which obstruct the movement of the partition but which are overcome in succession as the osmotic pressure rises above a threshold level. The number of stops and their placement longitudinally along the length of the capsule establish the number and frequency of the pulses, and the configuration of the partition controls the pulse intensity. |