Importance

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Abstract

A gastrointestinal delivery system is provided. The system comprises a drug in combination with a swellable core material, the core being surrounded by a water-insoluble or relatively water-insoluble coating material in which particulate water-insoluble material is embedded. When the delivery device enters the gastrointestinal tract, the particulate matter takes up liquid, thus forming channels interconnecting the drug-containing core with the outside of the delivery device. Through these channels liquid enters the core which then swells to the point at which the coating is broken. When the integrity of the coating is destroyed, the core then disintegrates immediately releasing all or most of the drug at a specific site. By controlling parameters in the device, such as the core material, carrier material in the coating, and particulate matter, the location of release of the drug can be carefully controlled. Thus, the invention is also directed to a method of using the device for the treatment of disease by the release of drugs in the gastrointestinal tract in a location- and time-dependent manner.

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First Claim