A DELIVERY DEVICE CONTAINING A POORLY WATER-SOLUBLE DRUG IN A HYDROPHOBIC MEDIUM - RUMINAL DELIVERY APPLICATION

A controlled release device is described for dispensing a poorly water-soluble drug. The device consists of a reservoir containing a mixture of two phases: a swellable hydrogel phase and a hydrophobic phase containing the drug. The reservoir is surrounded by a wall that is, in part, permeable to the drug, and, in part, to water. When exposed to an external aqueous medium, water is imbibed through the device wall into the hydrogen phase creating a hydrostatic pressure difference between the device contents and the external medium. This pressure difference induces drug release at a relatively constant rate over a prolonged duration.