Novel drug delivery device

Claim 1

A drug delivery device which releases drug continuously at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time when administered to an animal comprising: a. a plurality of reservoirs each comprising i. a drug confined within ii. a drug release rate controlling material permeable to the drug by diffusion, microporous flow or a combination thereof, said drug release rate controlling material being essentially insoluble in body fluids and essentially non-crushable under the conditions of administration and, with the proviso that if said drug is highly water soluble, substantially impermeable to body fluids; dispersed in b. a matrix formed of a material permeable to said drug at a rate greater than the rate of permeability of the drug through said drug release rate controlling material so that the rate of drug permeation through said drug release rate controlling material determines the rate of release of drug from the device; whereby when the device is administered said reservoirs remain intact and release drug by diffusion, microporous flow or a combination thereof continuously at a controlled rate for said prolonged period.