Drug dispenser comprising a multiplicity of members acting together for successfully dispensing drug

Claim 1

A dispenser for delivering a beneficial drug at a controlled rate to a fluid biological environment of use having a temperature greater than 32° C., the dispenser comprising: (a) a wall comprising a semipermeable polymeric composition that is permeable to the passage of a fluid present in the environment of use and substantially impermeable to the passage of a beneficial drug, the semipermeable wall surrounding in at least a part: (i) an internal container, which container is a member selected from the group consisting of a one-piece capsule and a two-piece capsule comprising an internal compartment, said capsule member formed of a non-toxic composition adapted to be admitted into the biological environment of use comprising the gastrointestinal tract; (ii) first means in the compartment for changing from a storable composition to a dispensable composition in response to the temperature of the biological environment, said first means a member selected from the group consisting of a glycerol ester of a fatty acid, polyethylene glycol, a block polymer of butylene oxide and ethylene oxide, a block polymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, and a block polymer of polyoxyalkylene and propylene glycol; (iii) a beneficial gastrointestinal administrable drug in the means responsive to temperature; (iiii) a second means in the compartment for imbiding fluid through the semipermeable wall and for expanding in the compartment, said second means a member selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, and acidic carboxy polymer, a polyethylene oxide, and a starch composition, said second means in contacting arrangement with the first means; and, (b) at least one passageway through the wall and through the container connecting the exterior of the dispenser with the first means for dispensing the beneficial drug from the dispenser.