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Abstract

A device for administering elongate medicinal pellets in subcutaneous applications. The device includes a hand-held guide element including a hollow barrel enclosing a sliding member having a needle locking means at one end thereof. A disposable cartridge element includes a hollow needle containing a pellet to be implanted and an obturator of length somewhat greater than that of the needle. In use, the cartridge element is engaged at an end thereof with the guide element. The free end of the needle is inserted into the subcutaneous fat of the patient, and the sliding member is moved in an opposite direction to withdraw the needle into the hollow barrel. During this movement, the obturator is maintained relatively stationary by engaging an abutment on the guide element, at one end thereof, the opposite end of the obturator engaging an end of the pellet, so that as the needle is withdrawn, the pellet remains in implanted position. A composite pellet having a core formed of a first ingredient, and a surrounding sleeve formed of a second ingredient is also disclosed, as is a method for making the pellets using a soluble inert core having first and second ingredients coated thereon.

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First Claim