Ann Carol Scott

US Patent:

57004781, Dec 23, 1997

Filed:

Aug 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/505185

Inventors:

James E. Biegajski - Foster City CA
Subbu S. Venkatraman - Palo Alto CA
Ann M. Scott - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Cygnus, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61F 606
A61F 902
A61K 970
A61K 4730

US Classification:

424434

Abstract:

Water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesives include a water-soluble polymer that is made tacky at room temperature by addition of a water-soluble plasticizer that is miscible with the polymer. Suitable polymers are solid at room temperature; and have a hydrophilicity as measured by water uptake greater than about 25%; they are liquid at room temperature and have a boiling point higher than about 80. degree. C. The adhesives according to the invention may conveniently be provided in dry film form. Preferred water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesives of the invention adhere both to mucosal surfaces and to a variety of materials that may constitute a part of a device or prosthesis to be held in a body cavity that has a mucosal lining. Also, a laminated device for the controlled release of a substance within a mucosa-lined body cavity includes the substance dissolved or dispersed in either or both of a water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and optionally one or more water-soluble polymer layers. Also, devices for administering a substance over an extended time for relief of sore throat or cough, or for administering a breath freshening agent, particularly a mint odorant, include a water soluble polymer film layer containing the active ingredient, and a water soluble pressure sensitive mucoadhesive layer.