CN101048148A - Dosage forms having a microreliefed surface and methods and apparatus for their production - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an edible dosage form that incorporates optical elements (e.g., printed patterns, microrelief gratings, and/or macrorelief gratings), capable of producing unique optical effects and images in order to enable a user to better identify and differentiate the dosage forms, as well as to improve the detection of counterfeit production thereof, wherein the edible dosage forms may be made in a variety of ways to incorporate the optical elements therein.

Description

Dosage form and manufacturing method and apparatus thereof with microreliefed surface

The reference of related application

The application requires the priority of the U. S. application 60/622,629 of filing an application October 27 in 2004, and this application is included the application in as a reference in full.

Background technology

1. technical field

The application relates to the compound dosage form (composite dosage forms) and the composition thereof of pharmaceutical compositions and so on.The invention particularly relates to so compound dosage form: it comprises one or more features that security feature is provided for dosage form.

2. background technology

Dosage form with two or more different pieces is used for overcoming a large amount of problems that often run in pharmaceutical field be useful, for example comprises: separate inconsistent active component, obtain low dosage/efficient active component qualified content uniformity, transmit one or more active component and provide the particular aesthetics characteristic with pulse mode to differentiate dosage form.The known method that obtains many parts pharmaceutical dosage form comprises: granule coating, multilayer tablet, coating,compression and spray coating technology.Same knownly for example be used for the isolating active composition or transmit the different activities composition at different time in the combined solid form of domestic product industry from two or more different pieces.

In the pharmaceutical dosage form design, an identification and the difference that important chance is a product.No matter from the prospect of consumer safety attributes, still from commercial promise, the pharmaceutical dosage form with unique look of easy identification and identification all is useful.

A kind of technology of using at present that provides unique pharmaceutical dosage form to discern comprises the use intaglio.Intaglio is in tablet or other solid preparation, for example by stamping procedure, and engraving or mint-mark image usually, pattern for example, labelling, character, as the symbol of letter, title, logos, picture labelling etc., or their combination in any.For example in United States Patent (USP) 5827535, describe a kind of Perle, had clear and definite embossed marks on this capsular outer surface.A kind of like this method is disclosed in United States Patent (USP) 5405642: desolvate and too much implant and wax by removing after tablet spraying suspension again, give prominence to intaglio on the tablet of white or coloured coating, described suspension contains implant, wax and the solvent with different colours.But the wax that often is difficult to keep abundant amount still is suitable for being removed with solvent to improve the suitable combination of implant.

European patent 088556 relates to a kind of method of giving prominence to intaglio on white or coloured tablet, this method is carried out like this: the powdered thing that described tablet and color is different from tablet surface contacts, and removes the too much powdered substance that is not piled up in intaglio afterwards.Disadvantageously, found that adhering to of powdered substance and intaglio is unsatisfactory, because material shows tendency loosening and that come off.

In European patent 060023, disclose a kind of method of in coloured (not being white) solids (specifically being tablet), giving prominence to intaglio, filled intaglio by the coated tablet surface with the coating membrane that comprises optically anisotropic substance.Obtain the optics contrast between tablet surface and intaglio, the chances are because the different orientation of optically anisotropic substance on the tablet surface and in the intaglio.But this technology is limited to coloring matter and only allows to use the optical anisotropy filler.

The other method that the identification of one dosage form and another kind of dosage form and difference are come is, little embossment (microrelief, or be translated into nan orelief) is applied to dosage form.Referring to for example United States Patent (USP) 4668523 and WO01/10464 (outer surface in dosage form has little embossment).Little embossment is the regular pattern with ridge and groove etc., demonstrates visual effect or optical information when being exposed to suitable radiant energy following time.Disadvantageously, when using these methods that little embossing during at irregularly shaped and/or surperficial tablet, will be run into and produces difficulty.

Above-mentioned manufacturing has big, the complexity and consuming time of all method relative costses of the dosage form of one or more separating parts.In addition, the known method of produce filling intaglio at suitable substance and can obtain that the surface is constructed and the profile of resulting dosage forms aspect restricted.Except the restriction of above-mentioned filler itself, coating must have enough non-adhesives so that implant is eliminated when rolling at the bottom of the tablet in hot coating pan.These methods can not produce the filling intaglio, and the implant of this filling intaglio is higher than tablet surface or even flushes fully with tablet surface.Prior art products only can have such filler surface: it sink slightly, weares and teares, is recessed into respect to tablet surface.

Another significant challenge is in the pharmacy industry: make by standardization and produce and the minimized chance of packing cost.Many medicines can use with the tablet of several varying strengths, and the patients different with the dosage that conveniently has different needs take.Usually, the higher-strength tablet is compared with the tablet of the low amount active component of tool, and weight is bigger, and size is bigger.The cost of handling and packing can reduce by dosage form design, this dosage form design is: in the same size tablet, multifunctionality with the multiple various dose medicine of supply, and aspect kind (identity) and intensity, still easily by patient and health care professional identification.

Demand be: use conventional production and packaging facilities, make good dosage form with effective identification and distinguishing characteristics.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a kind of dosage form, it comprises following material, is formed and/or mainly be made up of following material by following material: at least a active component, first and second molding part, described first comprises outer surface and one or more cavity of determining at least one inner surface, first is optional can to have groove and outer surface, described second molding part is inserted in the cavity of first, and has outer surface.Described second molding part has little embossment.First and second parts are being in contact with one another at the interface, and described second portion comprises solidified thermo-responsive material, and this second portion in fact snugly is positioned on the groove.In this embodiment, optional groove has and is deep to about 20 microns degree of depth, and often uses in such embodiment, wherein requires to improve thermal response material and improved tight contact of having of cavity inner surface.

In another embodiment, not have diameter substantially be 0.5 to 5.0 micron hole to second molding part.

In another embodiment, first and second parts are in closely contact at the interface.

In another embodiment, first is a compressed tablets.

In another embodiment, first is a molded tablet.

In another embodiment, first comprises intaglio, and second portion is arranged in intaglio.

In another embodiment, at least one position of the outer surface of second portion flushes with the outer surface of first.

In another embodiment, at least one position of the outer surface of second portion exceeds the outer surface of first.In another embodiment, at least one position of the outer surface of second portion is lower than the outer surface of first.

In another embodiment, first mainly is made up of single conforming layer.

In another embodiment, second molding part comprises at least a active component.

In another embodiment, first has first color, and the second portion that embeds has second color.

In another embodiment, first comprises first active component, and the second portion that embeds comprises second active component, and this second active component can be identical or different with first active component.

In another embodiment, first and second parts provide the pattern of expection together.

In another embodiment, first comprises microelectronic device.

In another embodiment, in first, the inner surface of one or more cavitys has taper angle (draft angle), and its value is less than zero.

In another embodiment, extend together with inner surface in fact at the interface.

In another embodiment, the outer surface of first is discontinuous, and the outer surface of second portion is continuous.In another embodiment, the outer surface of first is continuous, and the outer surface of second portion is discontinuous.

In another embodiment of the present invention, dosage form comprises at least a active component, have the nuclear of outer surface and be positioned at shell at least a portion of nuclear outer surface.Described shell comprises first shell part and the second shell part, and this second molded shell partly be embedded in first shell partly in, and have little embossment.Described first and second shells part is being in contact with one another at the interface.In one embodiment, the outer surface of first shell part can have little embossment.In another embodiment, the little embossment in second shell part can be different with little embossment of first shell part.

In another embodiment, described shell has outer surface, and second mould case part extends to the outer surface of shell from the outer surface of nuclear.

In another embodiment, first and second shells part is all discontinuous.

In another embodiment, the described first shell part is discontinuous, the described second shell partial continuous.

In another embodiment, described first shell partly has first color, and second shell partly has second color.

In another embodiment, nuclear comprises pressed powder.

In another embodiment, described nuclear comprises insert.

In another embodiment, described insert comprises a kind of active component.

In another embodiment, one or more in nuclear, embedded part or the insert comprise a kind of active component.

In another embodiment, described nuclear comprises microelectronic device.

In another embodiment, described insert comprises microelectronic device.

In another embodiment, first shell part or the second shell part, perhaps both all have veined outer surface." texture there are " and are illustrated in the groove on surface and the average-size of projection to be at least about 20 microns.

In another embodiment, the outer surface of described shell comprises the pattern of expection.

In another embodiment, described shell comprises one or more openings that are positioned at wherein.

In another embodiment, the outer surface of described shell comes down to slick.

In another embodiment, described shell comprises groove, letter, symbol or pattern.

In another embodiment, described first shell partly comprises groove, letter, symbol or pattern.

In another embodiment, described second shell partly comprises groove, letter, symbol or pattern.

In another embodiment, described first shell part, second shell part or both include the projection with letter, symbol or pattern form protuberance.

In another embodiment, the described part that is embedded into do not have in fact diameter about 0.5 micron to about 5.0 microns hole.

In another embodiment, described second shell partly has such part: it has taper angle at the interface, and its value is less than zero.

In another embodiment of the present invention, described dosage form comprises a kind of active component, nuclear and shell at least, this shell has discontinuous first mould case part, continuously and the second mould case part of little embossment arranged, make that the discontinuous of described first shell part is that first and second shells part is different on forming because the existence of second mould case part causes.

In another embodiment, first and second shells partly comprise solidified thermoplastic.

In another embodiment, the outer surface of first and second shells part is on same straight line.

In another embodiment, second molding part has a such part, and it has taper angle, and its value is less than zero.

In another embodiment, this cavity determines to accept a plurality of sidewalls of embedded part, and the value of the taper angle of described sidewall is less than zero.

In another embodiment, first or second portion, perhaps both include active component.

Another embodiment relates to a kind of compositions, said composition comprises following material, is formed and/or mainly be made up of following material by following material: have at least one surperficial polymer thin film sheet, and the carrier of this sheet, wherein said polymer thin film sheet has little embossment at least one surface.

As described in appending claims, the present invention also provide dosage form and manufacture method thereof, with and manufacture method in the device that uses.

Description of drawings

Figure 1A represents an example of the application's dosage form, and this example comprises little embossment of the protuberance in the embedded part; Figure 1B is the cross section view of above-mentioned example.

Fig. 1 C represents an example of the application's dosage form, and this example comprises the recessed little embossment that is positioned at embedded part; Fig. 1 D is the cross section view of above-mentioned example.

Fig. 1 E and 1F are respectively the cross section view of the dosage form of Figure 1B and 1D, and have optional top coating.

Fig. 2 A has shown another example of dosage form of the present invention, and wherein, nuclear has position shell thereon, and this shell comprises embedded part; Fig. 2 B is the cross section view of above-mentioned example; Fig. 2 C has shown the dosage form of Fig. 2 A with optional top coating.

Fig. 3 is the cross section view of dosage form of the present invention, and this dosage form comprises the nuclear with cavity, and this cavity coats (enrobe) with the thin film of little embossment,

Fig. 4 A-C is the diagrammatic sectional view of injection moulding assembly apparatus of the present invention, and it is injected into fluidity substance in the cavity of dosage form.

Fig. 4 D is the profile at the injection port/cavity interface of the Coinjection molding apparatus of Fig. 4 A.

Fig. 5 A has shown that the present invention is used for injection molding plane graph with die surface that exemplary little embossment is arranged.

Fig. 5 B is the plane graph that includes the exemplary dosage form of " Y type " cavity.

Fig. 6 A is the plane graph of die surface, and this surface has shown a kind of embossment mobility changing unit, and this part has the surface with exemplary little embossing pattern.Fig. 6 B-6D has shown the profile that is used for alternate mobility changing unit of the present invention, and every person all has the surface with exemplary little embossment.

Fig. 7 A is the diagrammatic sectional view that is used for the shaped device assembly of pressed powder dosage form; Fig. 7 B-7C has shown the cross section view of the dosage form that comprises the optional top coating.

Fig. 8 A is the simple diagram of making the device of the thin film with microreliefed surface.Fig. 8 B is a diagrammatic sectional view of making the substituted device of the thin film with microreliefed surface.

Fig. 9 A is the cross section view of another dosage form of the present invention, and this dosage form comprises nuclear, top coating and little embossed candle shape layer between the two; Fig. 9 B shown with identical dosage form be exposed to heat after cross section view.

Figure 10 A is the dosage form enlarged perspective that has the big embossment of lens-shaped form in upper surface.Figure 10 B is the lateral amplification profile view of above-mentioned dosage form.

Figure 11 A-11C is the sketch of the application of convex lens, and it provides such dosage form: from an angle shown in Figure 11 A dosage form perspective view, have a kind of outward appearance of color; And, have the outward appearance of another kind of color from another angle shown in Figure 11 B dosage form perspective view.Figure 11 C is the profile of this dosage form.

Figure 12 A is a kind of so progressively diagrammatic sketch of method: this method is used for protruding two exemplary image being separated into strip, stirs in the image for use in the convex lens shape on the dosage form of Figure 12 D.

Figure 12 B is the simple flat surface view of the dosage form of protruding Figure 12 D, and when the observer observed from first angle, it had the first convex lens shape and stirs image.

Figure 12 C is the simple flat surface view of the dosage form of protruding Figure 12 D, and when the observer observed from second angle, it had the second convex lens shape and stirs image.

Figure 12 D has the dosage form profile that the convex lens shape stirs image.

Figure 12 E is the plane sketch of the dosage form of Figure 12 D, and during observer's direct observation, it has two superimposed images.

Figure 13 A is that the perspective of separating film that is printed on the dosage form of first pattern and has this dosage form top surface of suitable covering of second pattern is amplified sketch.

Figure 13 B is that the perspective of such dosage form is amplified sketch, and this dosage form get by the dosage form with the supplement film coverage diagram 13A of Figure 13 A, and formation has the dosage form of moire effect (Moire effect).

The specific embodiment

Those skilled in the art can utilize the present invention to its whole scope according to the description of this description.The following specific embodiment only is an example, and not in office where face limits disclosure.

Unless qualification is arranged, all the common sense with the technical staff in field of the present invention is consistent to use all technology and scientific terminology at this.All publications, patent application, patent or other reference all are included into the application by reference as mentioned herein simultaneously.All as used in this article percentage ratio (except that specified otherwise is arranged) all refers to percentage by weight.

Term " structured surface (structured surface) " can comprise any little embossment and/or big embossment as used in this article.

" little embossment " or " diffraction embossment " as used in this article is meant the regular pattern of ridge 530 and groove or gap 531, micro structure etc., and when it was exposed to suitable radiant energy, it can show human eye for hiding or visible visual effect or optical information.Referring to for example Fig. 6 B.The example of suitable radiant energy includes but not limited to: normal illumination, that is, for example incandescent lamp bulb and/or daylight, and/or special illumination, for example wavelength of laser and/or selection.Little embossment comprises the pattern of (1) micro structure or the pattern of ridge and groove, it is made by laser interference and other technology (for example molding, punching press or heat embossing) that can be converted into dosage form subsequently: and (2) " hologram ", be meant: when supply light, by visual information, effect and image of the pattern generating of these ridges and groove and so on.Hologram should comprise optical imagery goods, effect and the information on the dosage form, and their reconstruct during by use or white light, incoherent light or laser.

Described little embossment should be " stable ", and the meaning is meant that it has height endurability to the high temperature deterioration, when for example temperature is higher than about 70 ℃, and to because the mechanical pressure that applies causes the variation (micron order) of shape to have height endurability.This little embossment also should not influence the effectiveness of pharmacy activity component, and should with present dosage form production equipment Financial cost on quite.

In one embodiment, this little embossment can be " high resolution diffraction gratings ", and this is meant can be with optical diffraction, and every mm has the little embossment at least about 100, about 100 to about 5000 of for example every mm, about 100 to about 2000 of perhaps every mm, about 200 to 1000 of perhaps every mm.In this embodiment, it is proportional that the size of described diffraction embossment and its are wanted interactional light wavelength.By this slightly the embossment exemplary information that is recorded or is transmitted can be color, the degree of depth, optical data, audible data and/or dynamic effect.

In another embodiment, this little embossment can for " diffraction light change image " (dovid), it is the OVD device of diffraction, for example hologram.

In another embodiment, this little embossment can be " microetch ", it is a kind of structured surface that transmits information, this information is for there not being other supplementary means (for example to amplify, just for example at least about 100 times, perhaps at least about 250 times, perhaps at least about 100000 times) human eye be sightless.

Relative therewith, though structure is similar to little relief grating, they play a role " big embossment " herein in a different manner.Usually, big embossment comprises every mm at least about 3 lines or " lenticule ", and just, about 1 line of for example every mm is to about 10 lines.For example shown in Figure 10, each lenticule shape bar can be the arcuate ridges 920 of protuberance.

The present invention can use dissimilar " big embossments ", and each big embossment all passes on different visual effects or animation.The simplest animation of indication is as " the convex lens shape stirs image ", and it is the animation that becomes another kind of image from a kind of image change.The convex lens shape stirs normally and to allow nearly that three separate picture carries out combination, and by different angles separately as seen.The another kind of type of big embossment is meant " convex lens shape 3-D view ", and it is a kind of activity that shows apparent depth on the flat surfaces image, needs the image of 12 width of cloth target substances usually, arranges with level, continuation mode." lens-shaped variant image (lenticular morph image) " by using a plurality of images by the computerized algorithm generation of complexity, produces the effect that progressively is changed to another image from an image." lens-shaped varifocal imaging (Lenticular zoom imaging) ", image on the position of a series of variations, occurs and seem to become near or become effect far away, and " convex lens shape total movement video (lenticular full motionvideo imaging) " shown the activity of using multiframe relevant action order.The effect of two or more the above-mentioned types or activity can combine, and produce " convex lens shape combination image (lenticular combinationimage) ".

" ripple " used herein be meant, when the repeat patterns of two or more identical line, ring or dot matrixs is not exclusively aimed at the effect that ground produces when overlapping, for example shown in Figure 13 B.

" injection moulding " used herein is meant a kind of technology of the dosage form that forms required form and size, wherein, free-flowing substance liquid or easily flow regime is packed in the mould, afterwards, before from mould, taking out, it is solidified in mould by changing temperature (positivity or negativity).In contrast, " compacting " used herein is meant a kind of technology of the dosage form that forms required form and size, wherein, by increase pressure, raw material is pressed into tablet between the surface of drift, then, takes out tablet from drift.

" outer (portion) surface (exterior surface) " of a part used herein is meant such surface: it comprises the part of the outer surface of final preparation.

Term used herein " is fitted in fact " and is meant following situation: the cavity of first is determined by the surface with peak and paddy, second portion is arranged in cavity, and also have Feng Hegu in its surface, make the main peaks on these peaks and paddy and the determined surface of cavity on surface of this second portion and paddy inverse correspondence in fact mutually.

Term used herein " different on the composition " is meant to have following feature: can be easy to be distinguished by qualitative or quantitative chemical analysis, physical testing or visual observation.For example, first and second raw materials can comprise the identical component of different composition or different content, and perhaps first and second raw materials can have different physics or chemical property, different functional characteristic or vision difference.The physics that can be different or the example of chemical characteristic comprise hydrophilic, hydrophobicity, hygroscopicity, elasticity, plasticity, tensile strength, crystallinity and density.The example of functional properties that can be different comprises: raw material itself or wherein the dissolution rate of active component and/or degree, raw material disintegration rate, to the permeability of active component, to permeability of water or aqueous medium etc.Other example of sight equation comprises size, shape, surface appearance (topography) or other geometric features, color, tone, turbidity and brilliance.

Term used herein " dosage form " is applied to comprise any ingestible dosage form of confection, in one embodiment, dosage form is solid, semisolid or the fluid composition that is designed to contain some composition (active component that for example defines below) of concrete scheduled volume (being dosage).Appropriate dosage forms can be the drug delivery system (drugdelivery systems) of preparation, comprises the drug delivery system that is used for oral, buccal, rectal administration, part, percutaneous or mucosa transmission or subcutaneous transplantation or other transplanting; Or be used to transmit the compositions of mineral, vitamin and other nutritional drugs, oral cavity nursing agent, flavorant etc.In one embodiment, dosage form of the present invention is thought of as solid; But they can contain liquid or semi-solid components.In another embodiment, dosage form is passed to pharmacy activity component human gastrointestinal tract's oral delivery system.In another embodiment, dosage form is to contain pharmaceutically oral " placebo " system of non-composition alive, and this dosage form is designed to profile and specifically the pharmaceutical active dosage form is identical, as can be used for controlling safety and the effectiveness of clinical research with test case such as concrete pharmacy activity component.

As used herein " active component " comprise, for example medicine, mineral, vitamin and other nutrient, oral cavity nursing agent, flavorant and their mixture.Suitable medicine comprises analgesics, anti-inflammatory agent, anti-arthritic, anesthetis, hydryllin, cough medicine, antibiotic, anti-infective, antiviral agent, anticoagulant, antidepressants, antidiabetic agent preparation, Bendectin, antiflatulent, antifungal, spasmolytic, appetite suppressant, bronchodilator, cardiovascular preparation, central nervous system's preparation, central nervous system stimulant, Decongestant, diuretic, expectorant, gastrointestinal formulations, the migraine preparation, the motion sickness product, mucolytic, muscle relaxant, the osteoporosis preparation, polydimethylsiloxane, breathe preparation, help the agent of sleeping, the urethra preparation, with their mixture.

Suitable oral cavity nursing agent comprises breathes freshener, brightener for tooth, antimicrobial, dental mineralization agent, dental caries inhibitor, local anesthetic, mucus protective agent etc.

Suitable flavorant comprises menthol, Mentha arvensis L. syn.M.haplocalyxBrig, mint flavouring, fruit flavor, chocolate, Rhizoma et radix valerianae, bubble gum flavor, coffee flavour, liqueur spice and their combination etc.

The example of suitable gastrointestinal agent comprises the antacid as calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, aluminium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, dihydroxy aluminum sodium carbonate; Zest laxative as bisacodyl, Sacred bark, istizin, Folium Sennae, phenolphthalein, Aloe, Oleum Ricini, castor oil acid, dehydrocholic acid and their mixture; Bisfentidine as famotidine, ranitidine, cimetidine, nizatidine; Draw the proton pump inhibitor of azoles as omeprazole or blue element; Gastrointestinal cytoprotection agent as sucralfate and misoprostol; As prucalopride, be used for the antibiotic of helicobacter pylori such as the gastrointestinal of clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline and metronidazole and actuate medicine; Diarrhea as diphenoxylate and loperamide; Glycopyrrolate; Anti-emetic as ondansetron; As the bright analgesics of U.S. salad.

In an embodiment of the invention, active component can be selected from bisacodyl, famotidine, ranitidine, cimetidine, prucalopride, diphenoxylate, loperamide, Lactose enzyme, mesalazine, bismuth, antacid and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, ester, isomer and their mixture.

In another embodiment of invention, active component is selected from analgesic, anti-inflammatory preparation, antipyretic such as NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) (NSAIDs), comprises propanoic derivatives such as ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen etc.; Acetogenin such as indomethacin, diclofenac, sulindac, Tolmetin etc.; Fragrant that acid (fenamic acid) derivant such as mefenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, flufenamic acid etc.; Hexichol carboxylic acid derivates such as diflunisal, flufenisal etc.; And former times health class medicine such as piroxicam, sudoxicam, isoxicam, meloxicam etc.In one embodiment, active component is selected from propanoic derivatives NSAID, as ibuprofen, naproxen, flurbiprofen, fenbufen, fenoprofen, indoprofen, ketoprofen, fluprofen, pirprofen, carprofen, oxaprozin, pranoprofen, suprofen and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, derivant and their mixture.In another embodiment, active component can be selected from acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, diclofenac, cyclobenzaprine, meloxicam, rofecoxib, Sai Mikao former times and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, ester, isomer and their mixture.

In another embodiment of invention, active component can be selected from pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, chlorphenamine, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, astemizole, terfenadine, fexofenadine, loratadine, Desloratadine (desloratidine), a hila bright (doxilamine), norastemizole, cetirizine, their mixture and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, ester, isomer and their mixture.

The example of suitable polydimethylsiloxane includes but not limited to simethicone and Simethicone, and they are disclosed in U.S. Patent number 4906478,5275882 and 6103260, and it is for reference that each content is all included this paper in.As used herein, term " Simethicone " refers to a broader category of polydimethylsiloxane, includes but not limited to Simethicone and simethicone.

Active component (one or more) is present in the dosage form of the present invention to treat effective amount, and this amount produces required therapeutic response and can easily be determined by those skilled in the art when oral.When determining this tittle, must consider the concrete active component of using, bioavailability feature, dosage, patient age and weight and other factor of active component as known in the art.In one embodiment, described dosage form comprises the active component of at least 85% weight.

Described active component (one or more) can exist in this dosage form with arbitrary form.For example this active component can disperse with molecular level, and for example fusing or dissolving in dosage form perhaps can be particulate form, and it can be by coating or not coating successively.If this active component is a particle form, then this granule (no matter coating or not coating) have usually about 1 micron to about 2000 microns mean diameter.In one embodiment, this granule is the crystal with about 1 micron to 300 microns mean diameter.In another embodiment, this granule is that size is 50 microns to 2000 microns granule or a pill, for example from 50 microns to 1000 microns, perhaps from 100 microns to 800 microns.

In certain embodiment, require active component to have improved release characteristics, can utilize known release-improvement coating that this active component is carried out coating.This has advantageously provided the other instrument of active component from the characteristic of preparation release that improve.For example, this dosage form can comprise the coated granule of one or more active component, wherein granule coating as known in the art, be meant to discharge and improve function, suitably discharge the example that improves coating and be described in U.S. Patent number 4173626,4863742,4980170,4984240,5286497,5912013,6270805 and 6322819.The active component that also can use the commercial improvement of buying to discharge.For example can use acetaminophen particles in the present invention, wherein it is released-improves the polymer parcel by cohesion process.The acetaminophen of this cohesion-parcel can be available from for example Eurand America, if Inc. or this active component of Circa Inc. have undesirable taste, and this dosage form will be chewed or decomposed between being swallowed at mouth, then as this active component known in the art can be by taste masking coating coating.Suitably the example of taste masked coating is described in U.S. Patent number 4851226, U.S. Patent number 5075114 and U.S. Patent number 5489436.Also can use the commercial taste masked active component of buying.For example, can be used for the present invention by cohesion process with the acetaminophen particles that ethyl cellulose or other polymer wrap up.The acetaminophen of this cohesion-parcel can be from Eurand America, and Inc. or Circa Inc. buy.

Usually, this active component or composition can with the contact of for example liquid such as water, gastric acid, intestinal juice under stripping.In one embodiment, the dissolution characteristic of active component meets the regulation of USP about the immediate-release tablet that comprises active component.Wishing that active component is absorbed in the embodiment in the systemic circulation of animal, this active component or composition can with the contact of for example liquid such as water, gastric acid, intestinal juice under stripping.The dissolution characteristic of active component meets the regulation of USP about the immediate-release tablet that comprises active component.For example, for Actamin Extra, the USP24 regulation in the phosphate buffer of pH 5.8, is used the USP device 2 (oar formula) of 50rpm, at least should have in the 30min after dispensing that contained acetaminophen discharges in 80% the dosage form, for Genpril, USP 24 regulations are in the phosphate buffer of pH 7.2, use the USP device 2 (slurry) of 50rpm, should have at least in the 60min after dispensing that contained ibuprofen discharges in 80% the dosage form.Referring to USP 24,2000 editions, 19-20 and 856 (1999).In another embodiment, the dissolution characteristic of active component can be modified: for example controlled, lasting, long-term, slow down, prolong or delay.

Usually an embodiment of the invention produce such dosage form, the cavity part that it has at least one molded intaglio that is filled or little embossment is arranged.This slightly embossment can use an a large amount of high speed preparation production method and equipment, by punching press, etching or molding, be formed in filling, the molded intaglio part.This active component can be in nuclear, filling part and/or be applied in any coating on this dosage form.

In one embodiment, the container or the packing of transporting this dosage form can also comprise an assembly, and for example medicated cap, baffle plate, sidewall etc. are beneficial to special lighting, for example polarization filtration element or color filtering element.

This dosage form comprises: at least a active component, first and the second system membrane portions, this first comprises one or more cavitys, and outer surface, chooses wantonly also to have depression on cavity surface, this second molding part is embedded in the cavity of first, and has outer surface.First and second parts are in contact at the interface, and second portion comprises the solidified thermoplastic with little embossment, and the depression that in fact snugly is positioned at first of second portion.

In addition, this dosage form can also comprise at least a active component, have the nuclear of outer surface and be positioned at shell at least a portion of nuclear outer surface at least, wherein, described shell comprises first shell part and the second shell part, and this second mould case partly is embedded in first shell part, and has little embossment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, this dosage form comprises at least a active component, nuclear and shell, this shell has discontinuous first mould case part and the successive second mould case part with little embossment, the discontinuous of described first shell part is because the existence of second mould case part, and first and second shell part is different on forming.In another embodiment, first mould case partly is successive, and second mould case with little embossment partly is discontinuous.

In another embodiment of the present invention, this dosage form comprises at least a active component, nuclear and shell, this shell has discontinuous first mould case part and continuously and have second a mould case part of little embossment, the discontinuous of this first shell part is because the existence of second mould case part causes, and first and second shell part is different on forming.In another embodiment, first mould case partly is successive, and second mould case with little embossment partly is discontinuous.

In another embodiment, this dosage form can comprise at least a active component, nuclear and shell, this shell has successive first mould case part and discontinuous and have second a mould case part of little embossment, the discontinuous of this second shell part is because the existence of first shell part causes, and first and second shell part is different on forming.

In another embodiment, this first mainly is made up of one homosphere.In other words, it is the molded composition (for example nuclear or bar) of monolayer or the compressed tablet of monolayer.If this part is divided into many parts, then each part has identical density, voidage, color, degree of crystallinity etc.

In the embodiment of first by the compacting preparation, appropriate excipients includes but not limited to: filler, binding agent, disintegrating agent, lubricant, fluidizer etc.In the embodiment of first by the compacting preparation, suitably filler includes but not limited to: water solublity can be suppressed carbohydrate such as sugar, comprise dextrose, sucrose, dextrinose, fructose, maltose and lactose, polydextrose, sugar-alcohol comprises mannitol, Sorbitol, dextrinose (isomalt), maltose alcohol, xylitol, erythritol, and glucidtemns comprises dextrin, maltodextrin etc.Water-fast plastic deformation material such as microcrystalline Cellulose or other cellulose derivative, water-fast brittle fracture material such as dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate etc. and their mixture.

In the embodiment of first by the compacting preparation, suitable adhesive includes but not limited to: polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose etc.; Wet binder such as water-soluble polymer comprise hydrocolloid for example alginate, agar, guar gum, carob gum, carrageenin, Ta Lamin, Radix Acaciae senegalis, tragacanth, pectin, xanthan gum, gellan gum, maltodextrin, galactomannan, pustulan (pusstulan), laminarin, scleroglycan, Radix Acaciae senegalis, inulin, pectin, Whelan, rhamsan, zoogloea (zooglan), methylan, chitin, cyclodextrin, chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, starch etc.; And their derivant and mixture.

In the embodiment of first by the compacting preparation, suitable disintegrating agent includes but not limited to: sodium starch glycollate, crospolyvinylpyrrolidone, crosslinked hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose, starch, microcrystalline Cellulose etc.

In the embodiment of first by the compacting preparation, suitable lubricant includes but not limited to: long-chain fatty acid and their salt, and as magnesium stearate and stearic acid, Talcum and wax.

In the embodiment of first by the compacting preparation, suitable fluidizer includes but not limited to silica sol etc.

In the embodiment of first by the compacting preparation, dosage form of the present invention also comprises pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary agent, and this auxiliary agent includes but not limited to: antiseptic; High intensity sweeteners is as aspartame, acesulfame-K, cyclamate, glucide, manalox AS etc.; Other sweetener is as dihydroalcones, glycyrrhizin, Monellin ^TM, stevioside, Talin ^TMDeng; Spice; Antioxidant; Surfactant and coloring agent.

Can be by understand the application's dosage form with reference to Figure 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B integral body.Figure 1A and 1B have shown an embodiment of dosage form of the present invention.In Figure 1A, dosage form 2 comprises first 4.This first comprises a plurality of depressions or cavity, and these comprise the second portion 6 of embedding successively.The outer surface of one or more second portions 6 has little embossment 11.Though in other embodiment, only there is one in the second portion 6 of embedding or the first 4 to contain active component, but in this embodiment, first active component can be positioned in the first 4, and the second optional active component can be positioned in the second portion 6 of embedding.

Be used for having the free-flowing substance of the second portion 6 of little embossment, under the humidity that the preservation in being exposed to global range, shipment, application run into often, the situation of variations in temperature, must be able to keep meticulous little pattern.In addition, after dosage form was cooled and places, these free-flowing substances should be easily, emit from molding or punching press changing unit neatly, do not destroy this little embossment simultaneously.

Figure 1B is the cross section view of the dosage form 2 of Figure 1A.Shown in Figure 1B, on the second portion 6 from first of embedding or top surface 8 and second time or basal surface 10 parts extend into first 4.As described, the part of little embossment 11 can be higher than and be raised in the above-mentioned first surface 8 and the second surface 10 of first 4.In addition, shown in Fig. 1 C and Fig. 1 D, this little embossment 11 can alternately be depressed in or part is extended in this surface 8 or second surface 10.Though do not illustrate, the tip surface of little embossment 11 or ridge 12 can be proximate par with next-door neighbour's first surface 8 or second surface 10 also.Though in other embodiments, only there is one in the second portion 6 of embedding or the first 4 to contain active component, but in these embodiments, first active component can be positioned to the second portion 6 of embedding, and optional second active component (can be identical or different with first active component) can be positioned in the first 4.

In one embodiment, this first and second part provides predetermined pattern together.In another embodiment, this second portion comprises spice or sensitizer (sensate)." sensitizer " as used herein is meant the chemical agent in the secondary effect of mouth, nose and/or pharynx of can inducing except aromatic and spice.The example of this sensory effect includes but not limited to: refrigerant, warm, numb, the oral cavity is moistening (many liquid), send out puckery etc.The sensitizer that is fit among the present invention use can be bought from commerce, can be available from for example International Flavor; Fragrances.

The dosage form of describing among Fig. 1 E and the 1F also comprises clarifying or translucent top coating 13, and this top coating is positioned on first surface 8 and the second surface 10.This top coating 13 also can the part (not shown) or all is positioned on the part 6 of embedding of containing of dosage form of thin carving part.

The suitable polymer that is used for the top coating comprises: polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); The water-soluble carbon hydrogen compound is as hydroxypropyl starch, hetastarch, amylopectin (pullulan), the first and second basic starch, carboxymethyl starch, starch,pregelatinized, film forming modified starch; Water-soluble cellulose derivative is as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose (HPMC), methylcellulose (MC), hydroxyethylmethyl-cellulose (HEMC), hydroxy butyl methyl cellulose (HBMC), hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose (HEEC), ethoxy hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose (HEMPMC); Water solubility copolymer as the copolymer of copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide) and the polyvinyl pyridine alkane ketone of copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol and the Polyethylene Glycol of methacrylic acid and methacrylate; Polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinylacetate copolymer; And above-mentioned derivant and combination.The suitable film forming insoluble polymer that is used for the top coating comprises: ethyl cellulose for example, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, polycaprolactone, cellulose ethanoate and derivant thereof, acrylate, methacrylate, acrylate copolymer etc. and their derivant, copolymer and combination.The suitable film forming pH-dependent polymers that is used for the top coating comprises: intestinal cellulose derivative, for example hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate, cellulose ethanoate phthalate; Natural rubber, for example Lac and zein; Intestinal acetic ester derivative, for example polyethylene acetic acid phthalic acid ester, cellulose ethanoate phthalate, acetaldehyde dimethyl cellulose acetas; And intestinal acrylate derivative, it for example is polymer based with the polymethacrylates, as poly-(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1: 2, it can be available from Rohm Pharma GmbH, and commodity are called " EUDRAGIT S ", and poly-(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1: 1, it can be available from Rohm Pharma GmbH, and commodity are called " EUDRAGITL "; Poly-(butyl methacrylate (decil) methacrylate, methyl methacrylate), it can be available from Rohm Pharma GmbH, commodity " EUDRAGIT E " by name etc.; And their derivant, salt, copolymer and combination.

An embodiment kind, top coating 13 comprises the coating with high rigidity,, for example has satisfied yield value that is, occurs the distortion of little embossment during the condition that is enough to prevent to be exposed to normal manufacturing, processing, shipment, storage and use.Suitable top coating with high rigidity comprises film forming matter, for example the film forming matter of high tensile well-known in the art.The film forming matter of suitable high tensile includes but not limited to the copolymer of methacrylic acid and methacrylate; Polyvinylpyrrolidone; Cellulose ethanoate; Hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose (" HPMC "), poly(ethylene oxide), and polyvinyl alcohol, it can be bought from BASF with the trade name of " Kollicoat I R "; Ethyl cellulose; Polyvinyl alcohol; And their copolymer and mixture.

In one embodiment, this top coating can comprise and is selected from HPMC, polyvinylpyrrolidone, the trade mark aminoalkyl-methacrylate copolymer for " EUDRAGIT E ", and the water-soluble high-hardness film forming thing of their copolymer and mixture.

In the embodiment that is particularly related to high clarification property, this top coating comprises the height clarification property film of high hardness article shaped that is selected from acrylate (for example trade mark is the aminoalkyl-methacrylate copolymer of " EUDRAGIT E "), polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose ethanoate, poly(ethylene oxide), polyvinyl alcohol, ethyl cellulose and polyethylene Lac.

Usually, the thickness range of this top coating is from about 50 microns to about 200 microns, and the hardness of alignment layers increases with thickness.

According to the gross weight of preparation, dosage form can comprise the top coating of about 0.1 percentage ratio to about 10 percentage ratios.

Can use any method known in the art in the top coating 13, for example disclosed spray coating in United States Patent (USP) 4683256,4543370,4643894,4828841,4725441,4802924,5630871 and 6274162; Disclosed granule coating in United States Patent (USP) 5089270,5213738,4820524,4867983 and 4966771; Perhaps disclosed injection moulding in U. S. application 2003-0219484 A1.

In one embodiment, the refractive index of top coating is different with the refractive index of nuclear.The top coating also should be clarified or be translucent.

Fig. 2 A and 2B have shown another embodiment of the present invention.Fig. 2 A has shown the dosage form 102 that comprises nuclear 104.This nuclear has the shell 105 at least a portion that is positioned at nuclear 104 outer surface.Shown this shell 105 in Fig. 2 B more in detail, this figure is the cross section view of Fig. 2 A.Shown in Fig. 2 B, the shell 105 that is positioned on nuclear 104 the outer surface 108 and 110 comprises that the first shell part 107 with cavity, the embedding second shell part 106 that is molded are positioned at cavity.The second shell part 106 of at least one embedding has micrographics (micrographs) 111.These micrographics can be raised in, consistent in fact in or the shell portion of external surface 107 ' that sinks into to be close to down.Though in other embodiment, one in second shell part that the first shell part 107 is only arranged or embed comprises active component, but in this embodiment, first active component can be positioned in the shell part 107, and second active component can be positioned in the second shell part 106 of embedding.Nuclear 104 also can be chosen wantonly and comprises active component, and this active component can be identical or different with the active component that comprises in the first shell part 107 and the second shell part 106 that embeds.

Shown in Fig. 2 B, this shell 105 can extend along the side part 112 and 114 of nuclear 104, and the part 116 of embedding and 118 can be arranged in the cavity of shell 105.Though in other embodiment, this cavity only extends through the part of first shell part, in this embodiment, this cavity extends through the first shell part, to the surface of this nuclear.(not shown) in alternate embodiment, cavity can extend through a part or whole nuclear.

The dosage form that shows among Fig. 2 C also comprises the clarification or the translucent top coating 13 ' that are positioned at surface 107 '.This top coating 13 ' also can partly or entirely be positioned at the embedded part that contains micrographics 106 of preparation.The example of suitable top coating 13 ' comprises the above-mentioned any kind that exemplifies.The dosage form of this embodiment can contain the top coating 13 ' of 1 percentage ratio to about 10 percentage ratios of having an appointment according to the gross weight of preparation.

This nuclear (or substrate) can be solid-state or semi-solid arbitrarily.Can prepare this nuclear by proper method arbitrarily, for example this to examine be compacting preparation or molded preparation." substrate " as used herein is meant surface or following holder, and another material is positioned on this holder or acts on this holder, and " nuclear " is meant the material of being sealed or surrounding by other material to small part.In order to be applicable in the dosage form, term " nuclear " also is used in reference to " substrate ".In one embodiment, this nuclear comprises solid, for example endorse being compacting or molded tablet, hard or soft capsule, suppository, perhaps for example cough drop, exert the confection form of sugaring, caramel, soft sweet or fat-based combination.In another embodiment, this nuclear can be semisolid or liquid form in final preparation.

This is endorsed to have different shapes.For example in one embodiment, this is endorsed and thinks the cone of being topped.In another embodiment, this is endorsed and thinks polyhedron, for example cube, cone, prism etc.; Perhaps have some on-plane surfaces the are arranged geometry of space diagram of (non-flat face), for example circular cone, cylinder, ball, annulus etc.Adaptable exemplary nuclear shape is included in " The Elizabeth Companies TabletDesign Training Manual " (Elizabeth Carbide Die Co., Inc., p.7 (McKeesport, Pa.) (include this paper by reference in) and describe in (shape of tablet is opposite with the shape of operated pressing tool) by the suppression process shape the shape of tablet, as follows:

1. scrobicula shape

2. standard concave

3. dark spill

4. special dark spill

5. Gai Liang ball impression shape

6. standard concave is to open form (Standard Concave Bisect)

7. standard concave biconjugate open form (Standard Concave Double Bisect)

8. standard concave is European to open form (Standard Concave European Bisect)

9. the standard concave part is to open form (Standard Concave Partial Bisect)

10. two rounded (Double Radius)

11. inclined-plane and spill

12. flat surfaces

13. the plane is to the rib (Flat-Faced-Beveled Edge (F.F.B.E.)) on inclined-plane

14.F.F.B.E to open form F.F.B.E.Bi sect)

15.F.F.B.E. biconjugate open form (F.F.B.E.Double Bisect)

16. ring

Corrugated 17. (Dimple)

18. it is oval

19. it is avette

20. capsule shape (Capsule)

21. rectangle

22. square

23. triangle

24. hexagon

25. pentagon

26. octagonal

27. rhombus

28. arrow-shaped

29. bullet shaped

30. it is barrel-shaped

31. semilune

32. peltate

33. it is heart-shaped

34. Semen Armeniacae Amarum shape

35. room thing plate shape (House/home Plate)

36. parallelogram

37. it is trapezoidal

38. Fig. 8/excellent taper (Bar Bell)

39. bow band shape (Bow Tie)

40. non-equilateral triangle (Uneven Triangle)

Randomly, at least a portion of this nuclear or subnucleus can by the compacting, molded or the spraying end coating by clad.But in another embodiment, this is endorsed with in fact should end coating: that is to say do not have end coating between the inner surface of the outer surface of nuclear and shell.The compositions of any suitable thin membrane coated tablet all can be used as the end of the present invention coating.The example of suitable end coating includes but not limited to: coating of the disclosed end in United States Patent (USP) 4683256,4543370,4643894,4828841,4725441,4802924,5630871 and 6274162 for example.Suitable in addition end coating can comprise one or more following compositions: cellulose ether, for example hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl-cellulose; Poly-carbohydrate, for example Xanthan gum, starch and maltodextrin; Plasticizer comprises for example glycerol, Polyethylene Glycol, and polypropylene glycol, dibutyl sebacate, triethyl citrate is as the vegetable oil of Oleum Ricini, as the surfactant of tween 80, sodium lauryl sulphate and dioctyl-sodium sulfosuccinate; Poly-carbohydrate, pigment and opacifier.

In one embodiment, this end coating and/or top coating can comprise the effect pigment of the maximization of the reflection that makes nuclear.The example of suitable effect pigment includes but not limited to plate-like titanium dioxide, and is for example disclosed in United States Patent (USP) 6627212; Wrap up micaceous transition metal oxide, for example can be available from EMD Chemicals Inc. commodity " CANDURIN. " by name, also can be referring to " Angle-dependent Optical Effects Derivingfrom Submicron Structures of Films and Pigments " Pfaff, G. and Reynders, P., 99 Chem.Rev.1963-1981 (1999).Comprise in the embodiment of end coating that a dosage form described dosage form can comprise the end coating of about 1 percentage ratio to about 5 percentage ratios according to the gross weight of preparation.

Be the compacting dosage form at nuclear, for example in the embodiment of compressed tablet, this is endorsed by pressed powder and obtains.This powder can comprise active component, and choose wantonly and comprise different excipient, for example normally used binding agent, disintegrating agent, lubricant, filler etc., perhaps this powder can comprise medicinal or non-other medicinal particulate matter, for example is used for inactive placebo mixture, confectionary mixt of tabletting etc.Concrete prescription comprises active component, as the material suppressed of the plastically deformable of excipient, and other optional excipient, for example disintegrating agent and the lubricant of in U.S. Patent Application Publication 20030068373, describing in detail more.In compacting, the material suppressed of plastically deformable is endowed upper punch and/or following shape towards lip-deep little embossment.

The material suppressed of the suitable plasticity degeneration of these embodiments comprises: microcrystalline Cellulose, wax, fat, list and difatty acid glyceride, their derivant and mixture etc.In certain embodiment, fusion after the material suppressed of plasticity degeneration, absorbed by tablet, the material suppressed of plasticity degeneration is selected from the material suppressed of low-melting plasticity degeneration, but for example suppressible Powdered wax, for example shellac wax and the microwax of plastic degeneration, Polyethylene Glycol and their mixture.

The also optional subnucleus (being also referred to as " insert ") that comprises of this nuclear, it can be made by for example compacting or molded any means, and it can randomly contain one or more active component.

In an embodiment of the invention, the application's dosage form comprises the nuclear that is made by mixture of powders, this powder have about 50 microns to about 500 microns mean diameter.In one embodiment, this active component have about 50 microns to about 500 microns mean diameter.In another embodiment, at least a excipient has 50 microns to about 500 microns mean diameter.In a such embodiment, a kind of main excipient (just, account at least nuclear weight 50%) have about 50 microns to about 500 microns mean diameter, for example about 100 to about 500 microns.Granule in this range size is particularly useful to direct pressing process.

In an embodiment of the invention, this is endorsed with the tablet for directly being made by powder, and this powder does not contain the polymer of water-soluble polymeric binding agent and hydration in fact.Said composition helps the cost minimization keeping the instant-free dissolution characteristic, make the course of processing and raw material, and provides best physics and chemical stability for preparation.

In the embodiment that nuclear is obtained by direct compacting, raw material comprises nuclear (for example active component or component and excipient), and they may be mixed together (for example as dry powder), and forms in the cavity of the device of examining after being packed into pressurized.Can use arbitrarily suitable pressure setting, comprise: roll squeezer for example, as gloomy nit of fine jade (chilsonator) or drop roller (drop roller), or conventional tablet machine.In one embodiment, can use rotary tablet machine known in the art to suppress and form this nuclear.Usually, the powder of process metered volume is received in the punch die cavity of rotary tablet machine, and the part of this cavity conduct " punch die sheet " rotates to press portion from filling part.In the pressing position, this powder is pressed between upper and lower drift, and afterwards, the sheet of gained is ejected from the punch die cavity by low punch.Advantageously, directly water solublity, non--the glycopolymers binding agent can seldom be changed or exempt to pressing process, these binding agents are polyvinylpyrrolidone, alginate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose, hydroxyethyl-cellulose etc. for example, and they have side effect for stripping.

In another embodiment, this is endorsed to obtain by the method and apparatus of describing in the U.S. Patent Application Publication 20040156902.Specifically, can use in a device, comprise insert the district, insert the district, the rotation pressing assembly of blanketed zone, ejaculation district and clear (area) makes this nuclear, this device has double die head, shown in Figure 6 as U.S. Patent Application Publication 20040156902.Afterwards, dashing of pressing assembly can be vacuum be auxiliaryly dashed or is close to each filter that dashes and be filled by being positioned at each.The zone purification of pressing assembly comprises that optional powder recovery system reclaims the too much powder from filter, and powder is returned to dashes.

In another embodiment, this is endorsed to prepare by wet granulation, wherein can mixed active composition (one or more), the solution of appropriate excipients, wet binder or dispersion liquid (for example, aqueous aging starch is stuck with paste or the solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone), and with its granulation.The proper device of wet granulation comprises low cutter (planetary-type mixer), high shear mixer and fluid bed (comprising rotary fluidized bed).Afterwards, with the granulating raw material drying of gained, and optional carry out dry blending with other component, these components are auxiliary agent and/or excipient for example, for example lubricant, coloring agent etc.Being adapted to pass through above-mentioned method after the final dry mixture suppresses.

Directly the technology of Ya Zhi method and wet granulation is known in the art, and at for example " TheTheory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy " Lachman etc., describe in detail in the Chapter 11 (third edition 1986).

In one embodiment, this first or nuclear also can use such method and apparatus to prepare by the thermal finalization injection moulding method: wherein, mould is kept the temperature of constant, as described in U.S. Patent application No.20030124183.In this embodiment, this first or endorse to be injected in the mold cavity by the initiation material with flowable form obtains.This initiation material can comprise active component and thermo-responsive material, they the glass transition temperature that is higher than the thermo-responsive material or solidification temperature, but be lower than under the temperature of decomposition temperature of active component, be injected in the mould.Be cooled after the initiation material, and solidify to form required shape form (shape of mould just) in the mold cavity.When temperature was higher than its glass transition temperature or solidification temperature, initiation material had sufficiently high flowability, can easily be injected into or pump in the mold cavity.

As used herein " thermo-responsive material " should comprise following material: along with the rising of the temperature that puts on material, and this material deliquescing, on the contrary, and along with the reduction of the temperature that puts on material, material hardening, and mobile the reduction.For gel, " solidification temperature " should be meant that gel shaped material solidifies rapidly by gelatinization under this temperature.

In another embodiment, such as U.S. Patent Application Publication 20030086973 description, this first and endorsing to use such method and apparatus to prepare by thermal cycle injection moulding: wherein mould circulates between at least two temperature.In this embodiment, but this first or endorse to be injected in the hot-moulded chamber by initiation material with liquid form obtain.This initiation material can comprise active component and thermo-responsive material, their temperature be higher than the glass transition temperature of thermo-responsive material or solidification temperature, but be lower than the decomposition temperature of active component.Be cooled after the initiation material, and in mold cavity, solidify, form required shape (shape of mould just).

According to these molding methods any, initiation material must be in liquid form.For example, it can comprise the solid particle that is suspended in the fusion substrate (for example polymeric matrix).In addition, this initiation material can be by complete fusion or paste form.In one embodiment, this initiation material can comprise the active component that is dissolved in the melted material.In addition, can obtain this initiation material in the solvent by solid is dissolved in, wherein after by molding, solvent can be from the initiation material evaporative removal.

This initiation material can comprise any kind of edible raw material, this edible raw material wishes to be comprised in the shape of shaping, comprising active component, those active component, nutrient, vitamin, mineral, spice and the sweetening agent etc. mentioned when for example describing nuclear.Usually, this initiation material comprises active component and thermo-responsive material.This thermo-responsive material can be can flow between about 37 ℃ to about 250 ℃, be solid or semisolid any kind of edible raw material approximately between-10 ℃ to about 35 ℃.When it was in liquid state or flow regime, this flowable initiation material can comprise dissolved or fused composition, and optional solvent, for example water or organic solvent, perhaps their mixture.This solvent can or be removed in fact by dry quilt part.

Suitable flowable initiation material includes but not limited to these thermo-responsive materials, for example the low melting point hydrophobic substance of film forming polymer, gelatin polymer, aqueous colloidal, for example fat and wax, amorphous carbohydrate etc.

The example of suitable thermo-responsive material includes but not limited to water-soluble polymer, for example poly alkylene glycol, poly(ethylene oxide) and derivant thereof, cane sugar-fatty acid ester; Fat, for example cupu oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil as palm-kernel oil, Oleum Gossypii semen, sunflower oil and soybean oil; Free fatty and salt thereof; Single, two and triglyceride, phospholipid, wax, for example Brazil wax (carnuba wax), spermaceti, Cera Flava, Kan Taili wax, shellac wax, microwax and paraffin; The mixture that contains fat, for example chocolate; The sugar of amorphous glass attitude, as be used for making the crystalline carbohydrate of hard sugar form, supersaturated solution as being used to make the soft sweet form; Carbohydrate, for example sugar-alcohol (for example sorbitol, maltose alcohol, mannitol, xylitol and erithritol) or thermoplastic starch; And content gelatin and other hydrocolloid mixture to about 30% in low humidity polymer solution such as the water, for example be used for making " gummi " confection form.In one embodiment, the thermo-responsive material is fat and mixture single, difatty acid glyceride.

In an embodiment of the invention, flowable raw material can comprise film forming matter, cellulose ether for example, as, hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose or modified starch, for example waxy corn starch; Optional poly-carbohydrate, for example maltodextrin; Optional hydrocolloid, for example Xanthan gum or carrageenin, perhaps sugar, for example sucrose; Optional plasticizer, for example vegetable oil of Polyethylene Glycol, polypropylene glycol, for example Oleum Ricini, glycerol, and their mixture.

Any kind of film forming matter known in the art also is suitable for use as the thermo-responsive material.The example of suitable film forming matter includes but not limited to: polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), hydroxypropyl starch, hetastarch, amylopectin, Methylethyl starch, carboxymethyl starch, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxyethylmethyl-cellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxy butyl methyl cellulose (HBMC), hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose (HEEC), ethoxy hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose (HEMPMC), the copolymer of methacrylic acid and methacrylate, the copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide) and polyvinylpyrrolidone, gelatin is as the protein of lactoprotein, coagulable albumen, as albumin, casein, the casein chorista, soybean protein and soybean protein chorista, pre--gelatinize starch, and their polymer and mixture.

A suitable hydroxypropylmethylccompound compound is HPMC 2910, it is to have about 1.9 substitution value and 2.3 hydroxypropyl mole is substituted by 0.23 cellulose ether, wherein in the gross weight of chemical compound, contain have an appointment 29% to about 30% methoxyl group and about 7% to about 12% hydroxypropyl.HPMC 2910 can be available from Dow ChemicalCompany, its commodity are called " METHOCEL E. ", METHOCEL E5 is a kind of HPMC-2910 of grade, it is suitable for the present invention, its use Ubbelohde viscometer 2% water-soluble in, be about 4 to 6 cps (4 to 6 milli handkerchief-second) in 20 ℃ of viscosity that record.Equally, another grade METHOCEL E6 of HPMC-2910 also is applicable to the present invention, its use Ubbelohde viscometer 2% water-soluble in, be about 5 to 7cps (5 to 7 milli handkerchief-second) in 20 ℃ of viscosity that record.Another grade METHOCEL E15 of HPMC-2910 also is applicable to the present invention, its use Ubbelohde viscometer 2% water-soluble in, be about 15000cps (15 handkerchief-second) in the least in 20 ℃ of viscosity that record." substitution value " as used herein should be meant the substituent meansigma methods of anhydroglucose ring, and " replacement of hydroxypropyl mole " is meant the molal quantity of the cyclopropyl of every mole of anhydroglucose ring.

" modified starch " used herein comprises following starch: through cross-linking modified, passed through chemical modification for improved stability, perhaps carried out the physical modification modification for improving dissolubility." pre--gelling starch " or " instant starch " are meant following modified starch as used herein: prewetted, be dried afterwards, increase their cold water-soluble.Suitable modified starch can be bought from some suppliers, for example A.E.StaleyManufacturing Company and National Starch﹠amp; Chemical Company.Suitable modified starch comprises in advance-gelatinize wax shape corn derivatized starch that it can be from National Starch﹠amp; ChemicalCompany available from, commodity are called " PURITY GUM " and " FILMSET ", and their derivant, copolymer and mixture.According to the gross weight of starch, this waxy corn starch is common, contains the extremely amylose of about 18 percentage ratios of 0 percentage ratio of having an appointment, and about amylopectin of 100% to 88%.

Suitable Maninot esculenta crantz. dextrin comprises can be with trade name " CRYSTAL GUM " and " K-4484 " available from NationalStarch﹠amp; The dextrin of Chemical, and their derivant, for example from the modification food starch of Maninot esculenta crantz., it can be with trade name " PURITY GUM 40 " available from National Starch and, and their copolymer and mixture.

The example of suitable hydrocolloid (also being called gelation polymer at this) includes but not limited to: alginate, agar, guar gum, carob gum, carrageenin, Ta Lamin, Radix Acaciae senegalis, tragacanth, pectin, xanthan gum, gellan gum, maltodextrin, galactomannan, pustulan (pusstulan), laminarin, scleroglycan, Radix Acaciae senegalis, inulin, pectin, the orchid (whelan) of rivering bend, gloomy if (rhamsan), zoogloea (zooglan), first orchid (methylan), chitin, cyclodextrin, chitosan, and their derivant and mixture.

Suitable Xanthan gum comprises with trade name " KELTROL 1000 ", " XANTROL 180 " and " K9B310 " commodity available from CP.Kelco company.

When heating can molding and the thermoplastic of shaping be suitable as the thermo-responsive material, comprise being roughly linearity, non-crosslinked, not having water solublity and the non-soluble polymer of stronger hydrogen bonded in adjacent polymer chain.The example of suitable thermoplastic comprises: chemically-modified cellulose derivant, for example hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose (HPMC), methylcellulose (MC), cellulose ethanoate (CA), ethyl cellulose (EC), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose butylate; Polyethylene polymer, for example polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) ethyl polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP); Thermoplastic starch; The thermoplasticity gelatin, the protein of natural or chemical modification, the deutero-casein ester gp of gelatin, soybean protein chorista, lactalbumin, parapeptone and milk for example, and their derivant and mixture.

Any known plasticizer of pharmaceutical field all is suitable in the flowable materials, comprising but be not limited to: Polyethylene Glycol; Glycerol; Sorbitol; Triethyl citrate; Tributyl citrate; Dibutyl sebacate; Vegetable oil as Oleum Ricini; Surfactant as tween, sodium lauryl sulphate and dioctyl-sodium sulfosuccinate; Propylene glycol; Acetin; Diacetine; Glyceryl triacetate; Natural gum; And their mixture.In the solution that contains the cellulose ether film forming matter,, can contain 0% to 40% optional plasticizer with the total weight of solution.

Any thickening agent known in the art all can randomly be added to the thermo-responsive material, and the suitable thickening agent of interpolation includes but not limited to: cyclodextrin, crystallizable carbohydrate etc., and their derivant and mixture.Suitable crystallizable carbohydrate monosaccharide and oligosaccharide.For monosaccharide, aldohexose is arranged, for example, the dextrorotation of alite and laevoisomer, ketohexose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, talose; And ketohexose, for example dextrorotation of fructose and laevoisomer and sorbose and their hydrogenated analogs: preference such as glucitol (sorbitol) and mannitol.For oligosaccharide, be preferably 1 of sucrose and trehalose and so on, 2-disaccharidase; 1 of maltose, lactose and cellobiose and so on, 4-disaccharidase; And gentiobiose and 6-(.alpha.-D-galactosido)-D-glucose. and so on 1,6-disaccharidase; And the melitriose of three saccharides; Also has the isomer of sucrose, i.e. isomaltase (isomaltulose) and hydrogenant analog dextrinose (isomalt) thereof.Other hydride types of reproducibility disaccharidase (for example, maltose and lactose), for example, maltose alcohol and lactose also all are preferred.In addition, the hydride type of aldopentose, for example, the ribose of dextroform and left-handed type, arabinose, xylose and lyxose; And the hydride type of aldotetrose, for example, preferably have, the erythrose of dextroform and left-handed type and threose, it represents type is respectively xylitol and erythritol.

Flowable materials can be chosen wantonly and comprise 20% auxiliary agent or the excipient that accounts for up to flowable mass weight.Proper assistant or examples of excipients comprise: antitack agent, wetting agent, surfactant, defoamer, coloring agent, spice, sweetening agent, opacifier etc.In one embodiment, flowable materials comprises 5% wetting agent, the perhaps alternate wetting agent that do not contain in fact, and wetting agent is glycerol, Sorbitol, maltose alcohol, xylitol or propylene glycol for example.Wetting agent can be included on convention in the thin film of the prefabricated shaping that the coating program uses, and for example U.S. Patent number 5146730 and 5459983 is published, to guarantee making thin film have enough pliabilities or plasticity and bonding in operating process.The function of wetting agent is exactly to combine with water, and moisture is retained in the thin film.Generally contain 45% moisture prefabricated the touching that the coating operation is used.Its unfavorable factor is that the existence of wetting agent can prolong dry run, also can produce ill effect for the stability of finished dosage forms.

In another embodiment, this is endorsed and thinks hollow or evacuated nuclear.For example this is endorsed to be empty capsule shells.In addition, hollow endorsing to obtain by for example injection moulding or shell molding.In such method, flowable materials is injected in the film chamber, the chamber is placed under the temperature, the outer surface of examining under this temperature (contacting with mould) begins to solidify or solidify.Afterwards, will remove from the too much flowable materials at the center of examining by suitable method, for example piston pump.In another such method, capsulae vacuus is as Asia-nuclear, and form coatings thereon by methods known in the art, the spray coating that these methods are for example described, soak damp coating, infusion cycles molding in as U.S. Patent Application Publication 20030086973.In an embodiment of the invention, this also comprises the above-mentioned arbitrarily end coating of any means of having used the present technique field, and these methods are for example sprayed, compacting or molding.In another embodiment of the present invention, this is endorsed not contain end coating in fact.

In another embodiment of the present invention, this is examined to small part and contains one or more inserts.This insert can be made into shape and size arbitrarily.For example can form erose insert, this is meant that shape only has a geometrical axis.Also can form cylindrical insert, can use that conventional technology for example flattens, compacting or molding prepare this insert.In one embodiment, can use at this injection molding method and apparatus of describing and prepare insert.

In an embodiment of the invention, this insert can have from about 100 to about 1000 microns average diameter.In another embodiment of the present invention, this insert can the nuclear diameter of tool or about 10% to about 90% average diameter or thickness of thickness.In another embodiment of the present invention, this nuclear has a plurality of inserts.

In another embodiment, the average diameter of described insert is about the 100-1000 micron.In another embodiment of the present invention, the average diameter of this insert or thickness are about the 10%-90% of nuclear diameter or thickness.In an embodiment more of the present invention, this is endorsed and comprises a plurality of inserts.

In another embodiment, the average diameter of described insert, length or thickness, about 90% greater than this nuclear diameter or thickness, for example the average length of described insert is greater than about 100% of this nuclear thickness.

In another embodiment of the present invention, nuclear, insert (if employing), embedded part or their any combination can comprise microelectronic device (for example electronics " chip "), this device can be used as active component or is used for control, the speed of release of active ingredients when for example nuclear or insert respond input signal.The example of these microelectronic devices is as follows:

(1) the integrated medical device of automatic governing response comprises: fully-integrated electrical feedback and medicine/antagonism releasing device, biosensor.These devices need not telemetry and human body is got involved, and are disclosed in for example www.chiprx.com/products.html, include it in this paper as a reference;

(2) miniaturization diagnostic imaging system, but comprise the swallowable capsule that contains camera, and this system is disclosed in for example www.givenimaging.com/usa/default.asp, includes it in this paper as a reference;

(3) subcutaneous glucose watch-dog comprises transplantation or insertable sensor device, and this device detects the interior concentration of glucose variation of intestinal juice and is communicated with external detector and data storage device.This device is disclosed in for example www.applied-medical.co.uk/glucose.htm, includes it in this paper as a reference.

(4) be encapsulated in little demonstration visual aid in the artificial intra-ocular lens.This device comprises and is used to power, the receptor of data and clock recovery, be incorporated into the miniature led array turning-over of chip of silicon cmos driver circuit and micro-optic, be disclosed in for example http://ios.oe.uni-duisberg.de/e/, include it in this paper as a reference.The HDR CMOS photographing unit of little display device outside placing eye accepted bit stream+wireless energy signal, produces digital black-and-white photograph, is transformed into the about 1M of data speed bps serial binary digit stream by digital signal machining cell (DAP).This image is projected onto on the retina;

(5) microchip, it is used to stimulate impaired retina cell, makes them visual signal is delivered to degeneration of macula or other retinal illness patient's brain.Chip is 2mm * 25 micron, contains about 5,000 precise and tiny solaodes (" low-light electric diode "), has stimulating electrode separately.These low-light electric diodes will be transformed into the electrochemistry pulse from the luminous energy of image, stimulate AMD and the remaining functioning cell of RP patient's retina.These microchips are disclosed in for example www.optobionics.com/artificialretina.htm, include it in this paper as a reference;

(6) be used for biopsy of breast the demonstration real-time results disposable " intelligent pin " (smartneedle).This device is fit to the disposable pin of 20 to 21 specifications, links to each other with computer when pin inserts in the suspected lesion zone.Measurement device partial pressure of oxygen, electrical impedance, temperature, light scattering and absorbent properties comprise deoxyhemoglobin, vascularization and tissue density.Because the accuracy of 6 synchro measures and the real-time of device expect that it can surpass the accurate level that nuclear pin biopsy procedures reaches, and near the high precision level relevant with surgical biopsy.In addition, if find cancer, configurable this device is to transmit multiple treatment, as cancer labelling, LASER HEAT, low temperature, medicine and radioactive seed.This device is disclosed in for example www.bioluminate.com/description.html, includes it in this paper as a reference; With

(7) individual UV-B recorder, they are instrument stage arrangement (instrumentgrade) and its threading wrist-watch surfaces of measuring and writing down the UVB irradiation.They are also worn as paster.

In an embodiment of the invention, have only nuclear to comprise one or more active component.In another embodiment of the present invention, have only embedded part to comprise one or more active component.In another embodiment of the present invention, have only insert to comprise one or more active component.In another embodiment of the present invention, nuclear and embedded part all comprise one or more active component.Also have in a kind of embodiment of the present invention, one or more in nuclear, embedded part or the insert comprise one or more active component.Randomly, also can in any coating, comprise one or more active component.

Available above-mentioned thermal response material is made shell and/or embedded part, and the material that is used for food or medical usage can be any granted material that is used for food and medicine, and can be with its molding, comprise: for example, film former, low melting point hydrophobic material, gelatin polymer, thickening agent, plasticizer, auxiliary agent and excipient.

In one embodiment, embedded part comprises at least about 50%, for example at least about 80%, or at least about 90% material that is selected from down group: film former, gel polymer, low melting point hydrophobic material, non crystallized sugar or sugar alcohol and their mixture.In another embodiment, embedded part comprises at least about 50%, for example at least about 80% or at least about 90% material that is selected from down group: film former, gel polymer, low melting point hydrophobic material and their mixture.

In an embodiment of the invention, free-flowing material comprises the gelatin as gel polymer.Gelatin is a kind of polymer of natural hot gelling.Generally use two class gelatin-category-A and category-Bs.The category-A gelatin is the derivant of acid treatment raw material.The category-B gelatin is the derivant of alkali-treated raw materials.The water content of gelatin and Bloom intensity, composition and original gelatin processing conditions have determined its transition temperature between liquid and solid.Bloom is the gauge of gelatin gel intensity, and is roughly relevant with molecular weight.Bloom is defined as: half inch diameter plastic piston 4mm is moved into the required weight in grams number of 6.67% gelatin gel that has kept 17 hours under 10 ℃.In a preferable embodiment, fluidity substance is an aqueous solution, comprises 20%275 Bloom pigskin gelatins, 20%250 Bloom bone gelatins and about 60% water.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the embedded part of dosage form comprises at least about 80%, for example, be selected from down the material of group: film former, gel polymer (hydrogel), thermoplastic, low melting point hydrophobic material, non crystallized sugar and their combination at least about 90%.

The method of available molding known in the art is shaped to cavity in this dosage form with the embedded part of dosage form.In an embodiment of the invention, adopt aforesaid thermal finalization injection moulding or thermal cycle injection moulding, embedded part is put on the described dosage form.

Shown in Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B, the free-flowing material that will be used for inserting cavity is kept in one or more reservoirs 500, until reaching the nuclear of filling dosage form 510 or the 501 needed times of cavity of shell.Add stockline 503 free-flowing material is transferred to desired position in the cavity 501 from reservoir 500 by being connected in one or more of one or more injection ports 502 then.Fig. 4 B is to having adopted a plurality of reservoirs 500, having added stockline 502 and injection port 502 and fill the embodiment of a plurality of discontinuous cavitys 501 in the dosage form 510 and explain.Manifold structure 530 is ramose singlely to add stockline 502 so that free-flowing material adds another embodiment of a plurality of injection ports 502 to Fig. 4 C to adopting.Though do not show, can fill so a plurality of cavitys 501 yet by a kind of (for example having the concentric tip that adds stockline and/or concentric nozzles) in other many methods.Those skilled in the art should be readily appreciated that the method for be fit to filling these a plurality of cavitys depends on, for example the difference (if differentiated words) of the required free-flowing material of the position of cavity on dosage form and each corresponding cavity.

As detailed description among Fig. 4 D, make the tip of each injection port 502 bottom or valve 504 pass hole in mold 506 surfaces, corresponding cavity 501 alignment under this Kong Yuqi.Make the free-flowing material of aequum flow through tip or valve 504 and enter cavity 501.Close valve 504 then, during molded, hole 505 is closed thus.The position in hole 505 is unimportant, as long as it can allow free-flowing material inject cavity 501 cavitys 501 that dosage form 501 is fit to.Also can be referring to Figure 52,53 and 54 of WO03/028990.

Mold 506 contacts with the holder that is used for dosage form or bed die 507 or " collet chuck ".Though mold 506 and bed die 507 be illustrated as in vertical mode move to produce molded dosage form, but the traffic direction of these lamellas is not critical, as long as the cavity part 501 of having filled in little embossment at least on the inner surface 506A of upper surface and the dosage form aligns.

Partly comprising in the embodiment of little embossment with gelatin cavity filling and gelatin, vertical contraction (for example about 50%-75%) and cross-direction shrinkage (for example about 1%-10%) can take place in gelatin usually.In order to compensate this contraction, be adjusted into vertical dimension than pattern in the final exsiccant dosage form product larger about 50%-75% with being molded into grid that diffraction in the wet gelatin discharges pattern, and than its horizontal size larger about 1%-10%.Therefore for example, if final products reflection grid is every millimeter about 500 lines or groove, the diffraction pattern that then etches into die surface will comprise about 476 lines or groove for negative pattern and every millimeter.Equally, in vertical dimension, be about 2/3 micron if form the height of the grid of diffraction final products (being exsiccant dosage form product) neutral line protuberance, the diffraction pattern that then etches into die surface will be negative pattern, and be about 3 times of grid vertical dimension in the exsiccant final products, or be about 2 microns.

Fig. 5 A is depicted as the plane graph example of mold 506 inner surface 506A, wherein has the protuberance of the example shapes of being arranged in and little embossment 512 of groove (for example integral body is " Y " shape) and is carved into inner surface 506 '.In this example, the global shape of little embossment 512 can be the cavity 513 of " Y shape " corresponding to the integral body shown in Fig. 5 B, perhaps can be extended out (not shown) on the girth of virtual cavity.For the method (for example by adopting laser, machinery line or acid etching) that obtains the etching inner surface 506 ' that required little embossment adopts in desired location is well known in the art, and description arranged in following document: the 17-18 page or leaf of WO 03/005839 for example, United States Patent (USP) 6,410,213 B1 and publication, Photonics Spectra (optical electron spectrum, in June, 2004).

In another embodiment shown in Fig. 6 A and the 6D, can adopt any known method (for example gluing) that is used for removably making changing unit will contain the removable changing unit 520 of required little embossment 512,520 ' (for example thin film or paper tinsel) is inserted into the inner surface 506 ' of mold, perhaps inserts the inner surface of one of the punch die be used for tabletting.Another embodiment of difference in Fig. 6 B and Fig. 6 C, removable changing unit 520 is extensible cross molds 506 total inner surface 506 ' (referring to the changing unit among Fig. 6 B 520 "), but or frictional fit go into opening in the mold 506 (referring to changing unit 520 ' ") among Fig. 6 C.Advantageously, the changing unit 520 that is used for this embodiment can be removed simply, and can minimum cost and production cycle loss of time, replace with other changing unit with optional little embossing pattern.

The changing unit material that is fit to comprise can the little camegraph of load any material, for example aluminum, stannum, gold, silver, nickel, copper and their alloy, be solid plastics and their combination being higher than under 250 ℃ the temperature.The size of changing unit and thickness can change according to the surface area of for example dosage form and required little embossing pattern; but can produce about 10 microns-5000 microns of thickness usually, surface area is: greater than the dosage form surface about 0% to less than the dosage form surface about 100% (for example greater than about 10%-less than about 90%, or greater than about 25%-less than about 50%).Term as used herein " face " is by the part of the formed pressurized tablet of stamping surface up and down, and comprises imbricate area described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040109889 half.

In other embodiments, the process for stamping that comprises required little embossing pattern of available routine is stamped into little embossment the molded embedded part 501 of dosage form.These process for stamping are known in the art, for example among the WO01/1046-4 (Begleiter is being described to some extent, " Edible Holography:The Application ofHolographic Techniques to Food Processing ", edible hologram: the holographic technique in the food processing, 1461 SPIE Practical Holography V 102-109 (1991); WO 01/10464; With WO 03/00589.

Adopting molding to form in the embodiment of embedded part, the demand to direct compacting filler-binding agent that can make minimizes or eliminates this demand, and the direct compacting filler-binding agent in the described filler is for example microcrystalline Cellulose, spray-dired lactose, inorganic salt (for example calcium phosphate), crystal sugar (for example sucrose), glucosan etc.Other the known dosage form enclose inclusion of press packet capsid (for example by) comprises the directly compacting filler-binding agent at least about 30% usually.Referring to for example WO 00/18447.Disadvantageously, the enclose of these materials will be unfavorable for the transparent and stable of embedded part.Embedded part advantageously of the present invention can comprise less than about 10% in this embodiment, for example less than about 1% or less than this direct compacting filler-binding agent of about 0.1%.

In one embodiment, wherein this cavity directly passes the dosage form (not shown), available free-flowing material cavity filling, and available then any method known in the art puts on little embossment the surperficial top and/or the bottom, surface of filling part.In this embodiment, can little embossment be put on a surface by aforesaid injection moulding or pressing.Perhaps, in the embodiment that little embossment need be put on surperficial top and bottom, surface, available inner surface with little embossment replaces bottom dosage form collet chuck to put.

After filling mould with the free-flowing material of aequum, the mould of sealing can be adjusted to suitable temperature and one section is enough to free-flowing material is placed on time in the cavity 501 of this dosage form.Though these parameters can change according to the type and the consumption of for example free-flowing material, common molding temperature is about 50-120 ℃, and molding cycle is about 1 second to about 10 seconds.

In one embodiment, embedded part can not have the hole of the about 0.5-5 micron of diameter basically.As used herein, " not having basically " is meant the pore volume of embedded part less than about 0.02cc/g, and for example less than about 0.01cc/g or less than about 0.005cc/g, its aperture is about 0.5 micron-5 microns.The aperture of typical case's pressed material is greater than the about 0.02cc/g in this pore diameter range.The mercury intrusion porosimeter of available Quantachrome Instruments PoreMaster 60 is measured void content, aperture and density in conjunction with " Porowin " computer software program by name.This process record is in Quantachrome Instruments PoreMaster OperationManual (Quantachrome Instruments PoreMaster workbook).PoreMaster is by measuring the injection by force of not moistening liquid (hydrargyrum) in the void content and the aperture of solid or powder, this method relates in sample cell assesses (penetrometer) to sample,, so that surrounding sample, hydrargyrum sample cell is pressurizeed with this sample cell of filled with mercury: (i) compressed air (peak can up to 50psi) in order to method down; (ii) hydraulic pressure (oil) generator (peak can up to 60000psi).Measure the injection volume by the mensuration changes in capacitance of exerting pressure when making hydrargyrum outside sample, enter the sample well.Pairing aperture diameter (d) when directly calculating the generation injection with the formula that is called " Washburn formula ": d=-(4 γ (cos θ))/P, γ is the surface tension of liquid hydrargyrum in this formula, θ is the contact angle between hydrargyrum and sample surfaces, and P is that institute exerts pressure.

Measuring the used instrument of void content is:

1.Quantachrome?Instruments?PoreMaster?60.

2. can be weighed to the analytical balance of 0.0001g.

3. exsiccator.

The reagent that is used to measure:

1. high purity nitrogen.

2. distill three times hydrargyrum.

3. highly pressurised liquid (Dila AX is available from Shell Chemical Co.).

4. liquid nitrogen (being used for the cold catcher of Hg steam).

5. be used to clean the isopropyl alcohol or the methanol of sample cell.

6. be used to clean the liquid detergent of sample cell.

Process:

Before analyzing sample remained on pack in or from dessicator, receive sample.Open vacuum pump, liquid nitrogen is charged into the cold catcher of mercury vapour, will compress air feed and be adjusted to 55psi., open instrument preheating at least 30 minutes.Press the empty needle penetration pond of the described assembling of workbook, and write down its weight.In low voltage operated sample cell is installed, and is selected " only emptying and filling " in analyzing menu, the infra step is provided with middle employing:

Smart evacuated time (Fine Evacuation time): 1 minute

The essence speed of finding time: 10

Thick evacuated time: 5 minutes

Take out sample cell (having filled hydrargyrum) then and weigh.Sample cell is emptied into the hydrargyrum reservoir then, two tablets of tablets will taking from each sample place sample cell, re-assembly sample cell.Write down the weight of sample cell and sample then.In low voltage operated, sample cell is installed, from menu, is selected the low pressure option, and set following parameter:

Pattern: low pressure

The essence speed 10 of finding time

Essence is found time until 200 μ Hg

Thick evacuated time: 10 minutes

Fill and press: contact+0.1

Maximum pressure: 50

Direction: inject and extrude

Repeat: 0

Hydrargyrum contact angle: 140

Hydrargyrum surface tension: 480

Begin to obtain data then.Show that on screen pressure is than cumulative volume-injection curve.After the low pressure analysis is finished, from low voltage operated, take out sample cell, and weigh again.Fill hydraulic oil in the space above hydrargyrum, re-assembly sample cell, in the altitude chamber, install.Adopted following setting:

Pattern: fixed rate

Electromotor velocity: 5

Initial pressure: 20

Stop pressure: 60,000

Direction: inject and extrude

Repeat: 0

Oil is filled length: 5

Hydrargyrum contact angle: 140

The hydrargyrum surface tension: 480 begin to obtain data then, show drawing curve pressure than injecting volume on screen.After operation with high pressure is finished, merge low pressure and high pressure data to same sample record.

In one embodiment, this dosage form comprises nuclear and shell, and nuclear has two surfaces and is positioned at belly band between the surface, and the thickness of shell is about the 100-400 micron, and covers the surface of a face basically.The surface of another side is different with shell on forming.Have little embossment on the shell, and, can in shell, contain and be less than about 50% crystallizable sugar according to the gross weight of described shell.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a kind of dosage form, but nuclear wherein contains the mixture of powders that has comprised the plastic deformation pressed material.In this embodiment as shown in Figure 7, can form nuclear 704 in the required mold arrangement (mold arrangement that for example has upper punch 702 and low punch 703) by earlier powder being blended into.In the inner surface 705 of molding configuration, 705 ' at least one comprises at least one micro pattern 701, and it has the erect image that is engraved on its inner surface, for example the erect image shown in Fig. 5 A.These perforation can be used for having any conventional tablet machine (not shown) with upper punch and low punch known in the art, and wherein upper punch and/or the following inner surface that dashes comprise at least one micro pattern.

" but plastic deformation pressed material " used herein should refer to add any excipient in the nuclear material, and it flowed and obtain to be engraved on little embossment shape in the punch head surface in when compacting.But the example of the plastic deformation pressed material that is fit to comprises Polyethylene Glycol, fat, wax and their combination.

Behind tablet machine pressed powder mixture, with any above-mentioned coating application process, but under the temperature that is lower than plastic deformation pressed material melt temperature, the top coating 13 of opaque (for example clarification or translucent) is applied on the surface 706 of gained nuclear 704, and this surface contains just like the micro pattern 707 shown in Fig. 7 B.Usually, the scope of this temperature is about 5-120 ℃.Also top coating 13 should be applied over microgram 707 positions of nuclear 704.Top coating 13 examples of material that are fit to include but not limited to: the amino alkyl methacrylate copolymer that trade name that can " Eudragit E " is buied, and polymethyl methacrylate.It is the top coating 13 of the about 1-10% of benchmark that the dosage form of coating can comprise in the gross weight of this dosage form.

Thereby top coating 13 is placed nuclear to make on 705 the inner surface 720 of top coating 13 have to be formed at the negative-appearing image 721 of the micro-image 707 on nuclear 704 outer surfaces 706, then can be randomly the dosage form of coating be heated to and be enough to melt the temperature of examining 705 surface at least.Though this temperature can change according to the composition of for example mixture of powders, be about 20-200 ℃ usually.In this embodiment, it is the absorbent excipient with loose structure of the about 10-50 of benchmark that the material of nuclear can randomly comprise in the gross weight of this nuclear, for example calcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium phosphate, calcium silicates and their combination.Then can be with the dosage form cool to room temperature.Resulting dosage forms has the top coating 13 of band inner surface 720, at least one microgram 721 in the top coating inner surface that comprises in the inner surface 720 shown in Fig. 7 C uniquely.

In also having another embodiment shown in Fig. 9 A, can adopt foregoing injection moulding or pressing to produce sheet nuclear 800, but this nuclear comprise the mixture of powders that contains the plastic deformation pressed material, wherein the surface of gained nuclear does not have microgram.Randomly, sheet nuclear 800 also can contain absorbent excipient mentioned above.Then can be by in pan coating or the above-mentioned molding methods any, wax coat 801 is applied on the surface of nuclear.Then by required micro pattern being stamped into the wax coat of pan coating, or micro pattern is injected in the wax coat 801, microgram 802 is applied on the skin 803 of wax coat 801 with mould part with figure inner surface.The dosage form 850 of this embodiment can comprise the wax coat 801 in the about 1-10% of gross weight of the dosage form 850 of coating.

Wax coat 801 can comprise can keep micro-image but melt temperature is lower than any material of adjacent top coating 810.The suitable material that is used for wax coat 801 includes but not limited to: aliphatic polyester; Palmic acid ascorbic acid (ascorbyl) ester; Castor oil hydrogenated; Spermol sterol (cetosteryl alcohol); Spermol; Cetyl; Sterol, for example cholesterol; The ethylene glycol palmitostearate; Glycerol list or diester; The glyceride of saturated polydextroseization, paraffin, poloxamer, Polyethylene Glycol; Polyethylene glycol oxide; Sorbitol ester, Myrj 45 anhydrate; Suppository base; Stearyl alcohol, stearic acid; Hydrogenated vegetable oil; Wax, for example Cera Flava, white beeswax, Brazil wax, hydrogenated vegetable oil, anionic emulsifing wax, microwax, nonionic emulsifing wax; And their combination.

Available then any method known in the art (for example spraying, molding or infusion process) is applied over opaque top coating 810 on the surface 803 of wax coat 801.Advantageously, top coating 810 should partly or entirely be positioned on the microgram part 802 of wax coat 801, and is included under the temperature that is lower than 100 ℃ (for example being lower than about 70 ℃) hard or can mobile material.The example of the top coating 810 that is fit to comprises mentioned above those, for example mixture of acrylate and hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose.The top coating that it is the about 1-10% of benchmark that the dosage form of this embodiment 850 can comprise in this dosage form gross weight.

After treating top coating 810 dryings, resulting dosage forms 850 can be heated to temperature above wax coat 801 melt temperatures.In one embodiment, described temperature also can be lower than the melt temperature of nuclear 800.Thus, wax coat 801 is absorbed by nuclear 800 basically, stays the inner surface of the top coating 810 with little embossment 802 negative-appearing images 802 ', and as Fig. 9 B be shown in formation space 820 between the inner surface 811 of examining 800 outer surface 830 and top coating 810.

The existence in space has produced the interface between the diffraction relief pattern 802 ' in nuclear 800 and top coating 810 inner surfacies 811.The variations in refractive index that this interface caused is reflected a part of incident illumination, and thus reconstruct the holographic little camegraph 802 ' in the top coating 810.When the part light that sees through little embossment 802 ' from examining surperficial 800 reflex times, also illuminated the nuclear surface 800 that is arranged in little embossment background.Referring to United States Patent (USP) 4,921,319.Also comprise in the embodiment that prints image at nuclear 800, as seen the light that is reflected also make this printing image, is superimposed on the effect of printing on the image thereby produce diffraction image.

Advantageously, this embodiment is particularly suitable on this dosage form to user provides visible Quality Control sign, if when this dosage form contacted with bad moisture or temperature conditions, visible variation can take place this sign.For example, can will insert in the wax coat of this dosage form such as the micro-pattern of " inefficacy ".Then, make wax coat as long as be used in the composition that can influence melts under the uniform temperature renderd a service of pharmacy activity component and/or the humidity, this micro-pattern will just be the user finding when this wax coat is examined absorption.

Relate to the film that contains little embossment that comprises tablet or " flasher " in another embodiment of the present invention, they can be cut into less required form and size subsequently.Available polyblend preparation is applicable to the film in this embodiment, and it is the water-insoluble film forming polymer of the about 5-30% of benchmark and the organic solvent of about 70-95% that this polyblend comprises in the polyblend gross weight.

The insoluble polymer that is fit to includes but not limited to: cellulose acetate, ethyl cellulose and derivant thereof, copolymer and their combination.The pH dependent polymers that is fit to includes but not limited to: methyl acrylate copolymer, for example can be available from Rohm Pharma GmbH, and its commodity are called " EUDRAGIT L " or " EUDRAGIT S ".

The organic solvent that is fit to includes but not limited to: ethanol, acetone, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, hexane etc. and their combination.

Polyblend can for example randomly comprise other composition, antiseptic, coloring agent, flavoring agent, plasticizer, the stick that disappears (detackifier), defoamer etc., and its consumption is that those of ordinary skills are easy to learn.

Generally speaking, can at room temperature stir the water-insoluble film forming polymer is dissolved in the solvent, thereby make that containing in the total solution weight in the solution is the water-insoluble film forming polymer of the about 10%-25% of benchmark.But mixed polymerization the ingredients of a mixture is dissolved in and/or is dispersed in the solvent up to all the components.Temperature conditions is not strict.Can this mixture be made film by any known device of system film then.For example, can shown in Fig. 8 A polyblend be coated on the film casting apparatus (film casting system), this system comprises at least 2 rotation roller 902a and 902b, has temperature to be set at about 20-50 ℃ removable banded thing 903 on roller.Also can be referring to Park, W.R.R., plastic membrane technology Plastic Film Technology. chapter 2 (1969) (Fig. 2 .12).In this embodiment, free-flowing material 963 can be discharged holding vessel 960 by nozzle 961, and is being coated on the width of ribbon 903 under the assistance that is coated with cloth 962.Perhaps (not shown) is coated with cloth 962 and can be forms such as top roll, plate with to mobile material production downward pressure uniformly basically.Those skilled in the art should be readily appreciated that if film contacts with pressure below atmospheric pressure, then should shorten the raising of the time in whole production cycle with compensate for evaporation speed.Perhaps (not shown) can or be applied on the ribbon the free-flowing material spraying.

Ribbon 903 from left to right moves forward free-flowing material 963 with the linear velocity of about 100-1000fpm.Shown in Fig. 8 A, little embossing pattern 901 can be carved into the changing unit or the mould (for example ribbon 903 is own) of supporting.Free-flowing material 963 is applied on the ribbon 903 that has little embossing pattern 901 thereon on the surperficial 903a, makes that then the solvent in the free-flowing material evaporates from this material, the material of dry output is to form film 905.When symphysis continues forward, the lower surface 907 of the film 905 of output will have the negative-appearing image of little embossing pattern 901.The example of these film casting apparatus is well-known in the art, and for example, Park, W.R.R. discloses in the Plastic Film Technology. chapter 2 (1969) (referring to the 22nd page) to some extent.

In another embodiment shown in Fig. 8 B, can be added drop-wise on the roller 950 under the temperature of room temperature being equal to or higher than polyblend alternatively, roller 950 has the outer surface that has little embossing pattern 951, and this little embossing pattern forms negative-appearing image in output film 953 adjacent membranes surfaces 952.The temperature that roller is set is enough to evaporating solvent, for example is generally about 20-50 ℃, and the tangential speed of roller is about 1-100fpm.

Though not shown, also optionally polyblend is applied on its surface does not have on the ribbon of little embossing pattern or other supporting changing unit, plate or the mould.Use methods known in the art (for example punching press or roll-in (rotation engraving) then, add embossing pattern in a subtle way at the upper surface and/or the lower surface of the film curtain coating of these bands.The details of these methods is known in the art, for example, and United States Patent (USP) 6,349,639; Describe to some extent in 6,143,386 and 6,694,872..

The thickness of gained film can change with the size and the details of for example required little embossment, but excursion is about 10 microns-500 microns usually.

Can adjust little embossing pattern so that it only reflects the light of required wavelength.For example, by the protuberance of the little embossment of adjusting mould part and the degree of depth and the angle of groove, can reflect a kind of color in the little embossment of gained from film, and the little embossment in the described mould part is further adjusted, can make that the little embossment of gained in the film reflects multiple color.

Available then cutting tool known in the art (include but not limited to: mill, shears, pocket knife or axe), under environmental condition, the film that gained is contained little embossing pattern is cut into required shape and size, thereby forms little embossment tablet or " flasher " with required weight and thickness.Randomly, the tablet of cutting is sieved to obtain required tablet size.In this embodiment, may collect a plurality of similar tablet with specific little embossment and specific dimensions.When the particular color of the little embossment reflection wavelength of needs, this is particularly favourable.The gained tablet can be added in any medium then, for example liquid or semisolid include but not limited to: the oral drugs suspension carrier that discloses in United States Patent (USP) 5,272,137 and 5,374,659 for example.

In one embodiment, the flasher of the little embossment of gained can comprise the tablet that for example has different size and/or different little embossing patterns that is dispersed in the medium, makes thus to show certain chromatograph from the light of tablet surface reflectance.In contrast, if only there is one type of little embossment flasher with size to be dispersed in the medium, then the light by its reflection will show the more color of homogeneous.Can pass through methods known in the art (for example immersion coating or method of molding) then, the medium that gained is contained flasher is applied over dosage form.Advantageously, make this coating have multiple reflection grain and not only give the outward appearance of dosage form uniqueness, also be suitable for people's digestion, for example known inorganic coated interference pigment.

In another embodiment, tablet and the combination of above-mentioned mixture of powders composition can be spread all over the nuclear that is dispersed with tablet to be created in the nuclear matrix.

Flasher can be used for multiple different product, as long as this flasher keeps insoluble therein.The example of the absorbed product that uses comprises those liquid and the semisolid in pharmacy, nutrition or the field of food.In one embodiment, flasher can be added in the drug powder dosage form, this powder dosage form can be added in the pharmaceutically receivable carrier then.The example that can not absorb purposes that is used for flasher includes but not limited to: 1) cosmetic base, for example end powder, perfume, rouge, eye shadow etc.; 2) hair care product, for example hair jelly, shampoo, conditioner (wash out or keep rinse-out or leave-in), mousse, spraying etc.; 3) other people, cosmetic, health care and/or cosmetic product product, for example nial polish, binder, soap bar, baths, bath gel, wet tissue, detergent, viscose glue (stick), balsam, sachet, medicated pillow, mousse, spraying, washing liquid, emulsifiable paste, Cleasing compositions, powder, oil, bath oil and other can add the bath compositions in the shower.Personal care composition also can include but not limited to: aerosol and wax candle.

Generation has other method of the dosage form of unique visible characteristic, the choice refreshments that comprises the lines that will have required pattern or line up wire is applied to the surface of nuclear, it randomly can be the pattern 610 on cavity 602 inner surfacies 602 ' of nuclear shown in Figure 3, and the coating that will contain big embossing pattern then is applied thereto.

Any known method is applied to substrate surface with lines in available this area, and for example: a) the film coating that adopts described any method will have striped herein is applied on the dosage form; B) applique that will contain candy strip etc. is applied on the surface of dosage form; Or c) printing machine with high-resolution (for example available from Harknett, Inc.) is directly printed onto striped on the surface of nuclear.When the lines of lines rules intermittent pattern are printed onto on the dosage form, and when using the lines of the identical patterns that staggers slightly with this first pattern to cover it on, can obtain by the wave pattern that disturbs generation.In an embodiment as shown in figure 13, the surface of dosage form 201 can comprise first printed patterns 202 and second film 203, and they randomly can have at least one big relief surface, they can be covered on the dosage form to obtain the effect of wave pattern.

The available coating that is similar to little embossment is applied to the method on the nuclear, and the coating that will contain big embossment is applied to the nuclear surface with striped.The example of the coating that is fit to includes but not limited to: comprise mould, methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate, polyvidon, cellulose acetate, HPMC, poly(ethylene oxide) and polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, ethyl cellulose, their derivant of polyvinyl alcohol ethyl and copolymer and their combination.Thus, as shown in Figure 11, when light when being coated on the nuclear 921 lenticule 920 of little embossment, its can be from laminar surface (that is the tablet surface that, for example contains printed information or pattern) reflection down.Light and information of amplifying lower floor or image that the lenticule refraction is returned.The information or the image that are arranged as striped 902,903 under lenticule are suitably arranged, thereby make all stripeds that constitute specifying information/image in identical some refraction, to produce single image.When the direction of lens surface 920 changes with respect to observer's sight line, can see complete image by different image stripeds.Figure 11 shows that dosage form with two kinds of different colours outward appearances.On the basis of the first cover striped, 902 refractive light, this dosage form can demonstrate a kind of color (Figure 11 A), and after changing the direction of lens surface, from the basis of the second cover striped, 903 refractive light, then can make this dosage form demonstrate second kind of color (Figure 11 C).

In an embodiment shown in Figure 10, can make printed information be arranged in a plurality of stripeds, wherein contain at least the first cover striped 902 and the second cover striped 903.In at least one and the second cover striped 903 of first cover in the striped 902 at least one is directly to be arranged on the surface 922 of nuclear 921, perhaps be affixed on the applique of tablet surface, they with shown in Figure 10 B alternately side by side mode arrange, thereby form a plurality of stripeds to 901.Each striped is distinguished the below of perpendicular in alignment with one of a plurality of lens 920 to 901, and contains first striped 902 and second striped 903.In this embodiment, first striped 902 has a kind of visual signature (for example first kind of color), and second striped 903 has different visual signature (for example different colors).Shown in Figure 10 A, when the observer directly watched the top surface of dosage form of gained downwards attentively, this dosage form can show striated.

In another embodiment as shown in figure 12, the surface of dosage form can have the outward appearance of term " 500 " or the outward appearance of term " TYLENOL ".Shown in Figure 12 A and 12D, each term in two terms all can be divided into a plurality of bands.On the surface of nuclear 921, in another way stripe-shaped is become striped to 901 then.When the observer directly watched the top surface of resulting dosage forms downwards attentively, this dosage form can have the outward appearance shown in Figure 12 E.Yet, when the direction of lens surface 920 changes with respect to observer's sight line, can see as one different images striped in two complete images i.e. " 500 " (Figure 12 C) or " TYLENOL " (Figure 12 B).

The width of the basic homogeneous of each the had pact 0.1-1mm in a plurality of lens 902, in one embodiment, each bar in first striped and second striped has the width of homogeneous basically respectively, this width be not more than each respective lens width pact half.Shown in Figure 10 B, each lenticule has the tip or swells 930, and between each is to contiguous protuberance 930 gapped 931.

Striped can comprise any ink or pigment, randomly can contain effect pigment (effect pigment).The ink that is fit to and the example of pigment are at for example United States Patent (USP) 5,435,840; 5,006,362; With 6,468,561; U.S. Patent application 20040175463; With disclosed among the WO 2004073582 those.

The effect pigment that is fit to includes but not limited to: for different product provides nacre or pearly-lustre character and at Muscovitum or lamellar Al ₂O ₃, SiO ₂Or TiO ₂The basis on contain the pigment of titanium oxide and/or ferrum oxide, for example available from MerckKgaA commodity " CANDURIN by name ^".Also can be referring to WO 2004/073582 A2.

In the embodiment that striped is directly printed onto the nuclear surface, can at first carry out coating to the surface of nuclear with end coating, end coating can comprise for example any above-mentioned filmogen.Available any method known in the art (for example spray coating, pan coating and dipping coating) is applied to end coating on the nuclear.End coating should be put on the zone that is selected to printing at least, the gross weight that the amount of coating of the used end should be in the nuclear of end coating is benchmark 0.1-about 10%.

In one embodiment,, striped directly can be put on the surface of nuclear, thereby in printing process, provide backing during with clamping device (for example collet chuck) for nuclear with suitable direction clamp core.Nuclear can be added ink-jet printer, flexible printing machine (flexoprinter), silk screen machine or other then can make edible ink be applied on the surface of nuclear and by the suitable equipment of nuclear absorption.Though, can adopt opaque relatively ink to form effectively contrast in one embodiment to guarantee itself and on every side non-printing nuclear zone to the requirement of the color of ink and strict.The printing information that can have in one embodiment, two or more colors.

In the embodiment that uses applique, applique can comprise film, for example cellulose acetate, hydroxypropyl emthylcellulose, above-mentioned any film former and their combination, and can be by for example known adhesive (for example water and/or pure soluble materials) or wet surface tension with it attached to the nuclear surface.The example of the adhesive that is fit to includes but not limited to: the adhesive of thermal activation, for example starch, plant gum or wax.Can in order to the gross weight of liquid adhesive for the adhesive of the about 1-10% of benchmark meter and the solvent that is suitable for dissolving the amount of this adhesive come prefabricated this liquid adhesive.The solvent that is fit to includes but not limited to: water, ethanol, acetone and their combination.In one embodiment, can contain adhesive on the non-print surface of applique, useable solvents makes the surface of adhesive or nuclear become wet before using then.Perhaps, can before using applique thereon, the non-print surface of adhesive or the surface of nuclear be got wet with liquid adhesive.The thickness of applique is variable, but is generally about 50 microns-250 microns.

In one embodiment, can have end coatings between the nuclear of dosage form and the applique.This end coatings can comprise for example aforesaid any end coating.

In one embodiment, can to comprise the gross weight in end coating be the water-soluble cellulose ether of the about 2-8% of benchmark (for example about 4-6%) to end coating; The Oleum Ricini of about 0.1-1%, as United States Patent (USP) 5,658, in 589 disclose.In another embodiment, can to comprise the gross weight in end coating be the HPMC of the about 20-50% of benchmark (for example about 25-40%) to end coating; The maltodextrin of about 45-75% (for example about 50-70%); PEG 400 with about 1-10% (for example about 5-10%).

Available any method known in the art for example is applied to end coating on the nuclear, spray coating and dipping coating.The amount of coating of the exsiccant end is that benchmark is about 0-5% usually in the dry weight of nuclear.

The alternative that is used to produce the dosage form with unique visual characteristic comprises to dosage form and applies the film with at least one microreliefed surface or contain the film of aforementioned little embossment tablet.In one embodiment, can coat the optional nuclear that contains at least one cavity and also can choose the sugar that comprises the amorphous glass form wantonly with these films by the processing conditions that is disclosed among vacuum forming device and the U.S. Patent application US 2003/215585A1.The vacuum capacity that work in-process puts on film for example depends on, the degree of depth of the thickness of film, the temperature of film, dosage form cavity and in dosage form the amount in required space, but can be the 0.005-700 holder usually.In using the embodiment with at least one microreliefed surface, film can contact the surface of the nuclear of no cavity, as long as microreliefed surface approaches nuclear to form a plurality of spaces.

Figure 3 shows that an embodiment of resulting dosage forms 604 of the present invention, wherein coat (enrobe) nuclear 601, between the bottom interior surface 602 ' of the inner surface of film 605 and cavity 602, form the space with film 603 with microreliefed surface 620.(not shown) in other embodiments, the inner surface 605 of inner surface 605 or film 603 and outer surface 606 can have the little embossment part at least a portion of cavity 602.Thus, incident illumination 623 is become reflected light 625 by partial reflection at the interface between the air in film lower surface 605 and the cavity 602, and microreliefed surface 620 is than with little embossment film coating but there is not the similar dosage form in space to seem brighter.

In another embodiment, also optional image or the pattern 610 of the inner surface of cavity 602 with printing.In this embodiment, can see the pattern 610 that prints in reflected light 625 and the background simultaneously, produce the ghost image that is positioned at the diffraction pattern on the printed patterns thus.This image or figure that available any aforesaid method is applied on the dosage form can be substantially vertically arranged under structured surface.(not shown) in one embodiment, the figure of printing can be the form of a plurality of stripeds, and do not align with the striped perpendicular in the space of structured surface.

An advantage of the invention is that in the embodiment with embedded part dosage form embedded part not only can have complicated geometry or pattern, this dosage form also can have uniqueness by the little embossing pattern in the embedded part.For example, existing in the prior art insert or the embedded part that discloses is confined to simple shape usually, for example has the shape of circular cross section.Adopt the extremely difficult complexity sign that suppresses coupling of prior art, for example intaglio can cause or need the discontinuous of surface of base material, nuclear or first to mate.Yet because insert of the present invention or embedded part are to adopt free-flowing material to obtain, available its filled any depression or the continuous pattern of Any shape, if or adopt a plurality of nozzles, even can be used for discontinuous pattern.Owing to insert the unique micro-pattern in the embedded part, more can distinguish resulting dosage forms and other dosage form.

The section (at least one part) that it is insert or embedded part that the present invention has another concrete advantage of the dosage form embodiment of embedded part can be greater than the cavity that comprises this insert or embedded part.For example, in the embodiment in the one or more cavitys that second molding part embedded dosage form first outer surface, the area of at least one section of the second molded embedded part is greater than the sectional area of the lip-deep cavity of first.On the contrary, the section of insert must be less than the opening of the cavity that contains insert in the prior art." taper angle (the draft angle) " of this also available term insert or embedded part represents.As used herein, term " taper angle " is meant by cavity sidewalls with perpendicular to the determined angle of the line on first surface, as for example Rosato etc. at InjectionMolding Handbook (injection moulding handbook), described in the 601-04 page or leaf (second edition 1995), include disclosure wherein in this paper as a reference.

Advantageously, the dosage form of Sheng Chaning can have the multicolour pattern of unique sign, diffraction or be different from the outward appearance of other products according to the embodiment of the present invention, and this not only will help user to distinguish brand, also will help control and detects puppet and emit dosage form.

In addition, this dosage form also can be advantageously for dosage form and other cosmetics, cosmetic products, health care and food provide unique vision and color effects and figure, thereby make them have unique outward appearance and adopt not edible metal, dyestuff, colour or ink pigment.In one embodiment, also available nuclear with reflecting surface of bright color (for example white) further strengthens the figure brightness or the diffraction multicolour pattern of little embossment on the dosage form.As used herein, " light " or " high gloss " is meant that nuclear, base material or dosage form have the surface gloss of at least 200 (for example about 200-300)." surface flatness " as used herein to be with used method among the embodiment 7 of U.S. Patent application 20030072731, the luminous reflectance amount that records with 60 ° angle of incidence.For example, in the embodiment that needs the high gloss effect, this is endorsed and comprises polyhydric alcohol, and for example sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol etc., or coating coating of the available end for example comprise United States Patent (USP) 6,248,391 in this end coating; 6,274,162; 5,468,561; 6,448,323; 6,183,808; With 5,662,732; And the amylopectin that is disclosed among the WO 2,004 073582 or other end coating.

In addition, can be advantageously with using not only economical but also can making dosage form of the present invention in existing production technology compatible device and process.

By following embodiment the present invention is further detailed, this does not mean the restriction of the present invention being carried out any way.

Embodiment

Embodiment 1: with diffraction intaglio method compacting Actamin Extra

Compacting has the Actamin Extra of the listed prescription of following Table A on rotary tablet machine.Operated pressing tool is assembled on the tablet machine, and this operated pressing tool is designed so that the upper surface of compressed tablets has the letter of depression " Y ".Referring to Fig. 5 A and 5B.Operated pressing tool is (keyed) of locking, thereby makes that the direction of depression letter of all tablets is identical, and these letters align suitably with the molding cavity of injection-moulding device.

Table A: the prescription of depression sheet nuclear

Composition	Mg/ sheet nuclear
		Acetaminophen DC273N (P.G.S.)-US *	529.1

Sodium starch glycolate NF-Explotab	?25.0
		Magnesium stearate NF	?2.0
Nuclear amounts to	?556.1

^*Granule available from Mallinckrodt

In case be shaped, the tablet that the surface is had depression " Y " is transferred in the injection-moulding device, wherein tablet is placed die cavity, thereby make tablet female be positioned at the below at injection head tip with letter " Y ".The cavity surface that is positioned on the tablet surface of depression contains an insert, it also have letter " Y " and with depression " Y " vertical alignment of tablet surface.Zone on insert in the letter " Y " etches the diffraction embossing pattern with about 500 line/mm.

Under 50 ℃, aqueous gelatin solution (35% solid) is injected the space of tablet surface depression " Y " then by the syringe tip of mold apparatus.Make gelatin fill the space, contact with the surface that has the diffraction embossing pattern of mould, temperature is maintained at about 10 ℃ up to gelatin.Cool to room temperature in mould, gelatin solution form the gel in the space be filled in tablet, and along its outer surface, present with mould in the opposite image of diffraction embossing pattern.

In drying, gelatin is vertical shrink for example about 65%, cross-direction shrinkage for example about 5%.In order to compensate this contraction, the size that is formed into the diffraction embossing pattern in the wet gelatin is adjusted to than the pattern in the final dry products vertically larger about 65%, on the along continuous straight runs larger about 5%.The gained desciccate has the diffraction grating of 500 lines or groove/millimeter, and the diffraction pattern that is etched into die surface is the negative-appearing image with 476 lines or groove/millimeter.Equally, in vertical direction, about 2/3 micron of the height of the diffraction grating of gained dry products, the diffraction pattern that etches in the die surface is the about 2 microns negative-appearing image of vertical dimension.

Embodiment 2: compacting has the acetaminophen nuclear of surperficial little embossment

Rotary tablet machine preparation with embodiment 1 has the Actamin Extra of filling a prescription shown in the following table B.

Table B: the prescription of sheet nuclear

Composition	Mg/ sheet nuclear
		Acetaminophen DC273N (P.G.S.)-US *	400.0
Microwax **	150.0
		Magnesium stearate NF	2.0
Nuclear amounts to	552.0

^*Available from Mallinckrodt

^*Plastic deformation agent (plastically deforming agent)

The series of parallel lines of about 500 line/mm are carved with on the upper punch surface of tablet machine, to obtain the diffraction pattern of letter " Y " shape.After the compacting, the gained tablet surface has the plastic deformation agent coating with the negative printing (negativeimpression) of little embossment.

This embodiment is presented in the compacting nuclear particle process, and the plastic deformation agent of tablet surface is in the pressure current downflow and be molded as the profile of little embossment.After the compacting, the plastic deformation agent stops to flow, and forms the plastic deformation agent coating of the negative printing with the little embossment of band punch head surface then in tablet surface.

Embodiment 3: the compacting acetaminophen nuclear with coating of surperficial little embossment

To be warmed to about 30 ℃ according to the tablet of embodiment 2 described method compactings, then with poly-(butyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid (2-decil) ester, methyl methacrylate) polymeric dispersions is (available from Rohm Pharma GmbH, commodity are called " Eudragit EPO "), by spray pistol bag skim coating.Spray rate, air inflow and intake air temperature are regulated, so that spraying can be carried out continuously.During coating, the tablet temperature is maintained at about 25-35 ℃.The coat weight of gained is that benchmark is about 2-5% in the original weight of the compressed tablets of coating not.

Embodiment 4: have little embossment and have the coated tablet in space between coatings and tablet surface

Rotary tablet machine preparation with embodiment 1 has the Actamin Extra of filling a prescription shown in the following table C.

Table C: the prescription of sheet nuclear

Composition	Mg/ sheet nuclear
		Acetaminophen DC273N (P.G.S.)-US *	529.1
?Avicel?PH?101	200.0
		Magnesium stearate NF	2.0
Nuclear amounts to	731.1

^*Available from Mallinckrodt

Then the gained tablet is transferred in the die cavity of injection-moulding device.The upper inner surface of die cavity comprises etching the insert of " Y " shape diffraction embossing pattern.This diffraction embossing pattern is made up of the parallel groove of about 500 grooves/mm.

Saturated polydextrose glyceride waxiness thermoplastic (available from Gattefosse, commodity are called " Gelucire 39/01 ", and its melt temperature is about 39 ℃) is injected mould with liquid form under about 50 ℃, and annotate on the tablet surface in the mould.The liquid thermoplastic material is set in about 20 ℃ mould in temperature and solidifies.Thus, on the tablet of the inverse image that has die surface diffraction embossing pattern, form coating.

Tablet is warmed to about 30 ℃, then with poly-(butyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid (2-decil) ester, methyl methacrylate) polymeric dispersions (available from Rohm Pharma GmbH, commodity are called " Eudragit EPO ") carries out the thin layer coating by spray pistol.Spray rate, air inflow and intake air temperature are regulated, so that spraying can be carried out continuously.During coating, the tablet temperature is maintained at about 25-35 ℃.The coat weight of gained is that benchmark is about 10% in the original weight of the compressed tablets of coating not.

Then tablet is heated to about 50 ℃, reaches the time that is enough to melt waxiness Gelucire layer, this melting zone is absorbed by sheet nuclear basically.Thus, between nuclear and Eudragit layer, form the space.The inverse image that has kept the diffraction embossing pattern in the previous Gelucire layer towards the Eudragit layer inner surface on sheet nuclear surface.

Embodiment 5: the tablet coating that contains the diffraction tablet

A. the method for preparing little embossment film by solution casting:

Acetone soln (solids content the is 15%w/w) curtain coating of cellulose acetate (CA) polymer is formed film on the steel band support base material.The upper surface of this base material contains the little embossment of diffraction of have an appointment 500 lines or groove/mm.After the solvent evaporated, thickness is about the 1-5 micron and on the film lower surface, has the dry CA film of little embossing pattern, peel off, cut then/shred to having the tablet of required size and shape, be i.e. 0.5mm from base material ²

B. with the gelatin solution that contains little embossment tablet tablet is carried out the method for coating:

About 5%w/w is distributed in the 35%w/w aqueous gelatin solution according to the little embossment diaphragm of CA of above embodiment 5A production.Then on the tablet that gained gelatin solution dipping coating is made to the method according to embodiment 1.The gained coat weight is that benchmark is about 5.3% in the original weight of the tablet of coating not.Coating on the gained tablet comprises can give the optical diffraction tablet of resulting dosage forms with glittering outward appearance.

Embodiment 6a: colored mobile tablet with edible lens coating

Rotary tablet machine preparation with embodiment 1 has the Actamin Extra of filling a prescription shown in the following table D.The part of tablet surface or gained tablet has the smoothness that is enough to carry out meticulous printing thereon.

Table D: the prescription of sheet nuclear

Composition	Mg/ sheet nuclear
		Acetaminophen DC273N (P.G.S.)-US	?529.1
Sodium starch glycolate NF-Explotab	?25.0

Magnesium stearate NF	?2.0
		Nuclear amounts to	?556.1

Then the tablet of the flat surface of gained is transferred on the tablet printer that resolution is at least 0.15mm.The alternately red and yellow band that then with a series of width is 0.15mm is printed onto on the surface of tablet, to form lens split image/pattern.

Tablet with printing is positioned in the mold apparatus of embodiment 4 then, thereby makes colored band and the lens recess parallel alignment that is positioned at the die cavity top.The about 0.315mm of the width of die cavity further groove, highly about 0.225mm is with the contraction of compensation 35%w/w gelatin in final dry dosage form.

Close the mould of tablet top then, inject the 35w/w% gelatin solution, and it is solidified above the tablet of printing.Take out tablet and dry from mould, this gelatine glaze has formed edible lens jacket in tablet surface.Final exsiccant dosage form demonstrates the lens split image, and image is when observing tablet from different perspectives in the present embodiment, and what change between red and yellow stirs image (flip image).

Embodiment 6b: adopt the image tablet that stirs of edible lens coating to identify and dosage

Rotary tablet machine preparation with embodiment 1 has the Actamin Extra of filling a prescription shown in the following table E.The tablet surface of gained or the part of tablet have the smoothness that is enough to carry out meticulous printing thereon.

Table E: the prescription of sheet nuclear

Composition	Mg/ sheet nuclear
		Acetaminophen DC273N (P.G.S.)-US	529.1
Sodium starch glycolate NF-Explotab	25.0
		Magnesium stearate NF	2.0
Nuclear amounts to	556.1

Then the tablet of the flat surface of gained is transferred on the tablet printer that resolution is at least 0.15mm.Then tablet sign and dose intensity are printed onto on the surface of tablet as the lens split image.A series of width respectively for the alternately red and blue band of 0.15mm is printed onto on the surface of tablet, are formed overlapping " TYLENOL " and " 500 " printed words of lens split image form.

Tablet with printing is positioned in the mold apparatus of embodiment 4 then, thereby makes colored band and the lens recess parallel alignment that is positioned at the die cavity top.The about 0.315mm of the width of die cavity further groove, highly about 0.225mm is with the contraction of compensation 35%w/w gelatin in final dry dosage form.

Close the mould of tablet top then, inject gelatin solution and it is solidified above the tablet of printing.Take out tablet and dry from mould, this gelatine glaze has formed edible lens jacket in tablet surface.Final exsiccant dosage form demonstrates the lens split image, and image is when observing tablet from different perspectives in the present embodiment, and what change between red " TYLENOL " printed words and blueness " 500 " printed words stirs image.

Though the present invention is explained, can obviously fall within various changes and modification in the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art with reference to the specific embodiment.

Claims (22)

1. dosage form, it comprises:

A) at least a active component;

B) first, it comprises outer surface and has determined one or more cavitys at least one inner surface;

C) orientate the prefabricated desciccator diaphragm that crosses at least one described cavity as, described film has the inner surface and the outer surface of described first dorsad, has structured surface in the described outer surface,

Wherein said film is transparent to the light in the visible spectrum basically.

2. dosage form as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described structured surface is little embossment.

3. dosage form as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described structured surface is big embossment.

4. dosage form as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, at least a portion perpendicular of described structured surface is in alignment with in the described cavity at least one.

5. dosage form as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that it also comprises a layer of air, and this layer of air is between the inner surface of the described inner surperficial and described prefabricated desciccator diaphragm of at least one described cavity.

6. dosage form as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described first is opaque basically.

7. dosage form as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, has the printing image at least a portion on the inner surface of at least one of described one or more cavitys, and a part of perpendicular of described structured surface is in alignment with on the described printing image.

8. dosage form as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, described little embossing pattern comprises high resolution diffraction gratings, and this grating has a plurality of ridges and a plurality of gap, and each described gap is between two described ridges.

9. dosage form as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that described ridge is spaced apart regularly, and wherein said printing image comprises a plurality of stripeds.

10. dosage form as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that described gap is not in vertical alignment with on the described striped basically.

11. dosage form as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, have the printing image at least a portion on the inner surface of at least one of one or more cavitys, wherein said structured surface is not in vertical alignment with the lip-deep described printing image of described cavity inside basically.

12. dosage form as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described first comprises the sugar of amorphous glass attitude.

13. a dosage form, it comprises:

A) at least a active component;

B) first, it comprises outer surface and has determined one or more cavitys at least one inner surface;

C) orientate the prefabricated desciccator diaphragm that crosses at least one described cavity as, described film has the outer surface and the inner surface of described first dorsad,

Wherein, prefabricated desciccator diaphragm comprises following composition:

A) have at least one surperficial polymeric film lamellar thing, have little embossment in the described surface; With

B) carrier of described tablet.

14. dosage form as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described film is transparent to the light in the visible spectrum basically.

15. dosage form as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, it also comprises a layer of air, and this layer of air is between the inner surface of the described inner surperficial and described prefabricated desciccator diaphragm of at least one described cavity.

16. dosage form as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described first is opaque basically.

17. produce the method that coats dosage form for one kind, described method comprises:

Under enough vacuum pressures and temperature, prefabricated desciccator diaphragm is put at least a portion of nuclear, thereby make described film basically with the adhered shape of the described part of described nuclear, wherein said film comprises following composition:

A) have at least one surperficial polymeric film lamellar thing, have little embossment in the described surface; With

B) carrier of described tablet.

18. produce the method that coats dosage form for one kind, described method comprises:

Under enough vacuum pressures and temperature, prefabricated desciccator diaphragm is put at least a portion of nuclear, thereby make described film basically with the adhered shape of the described part of described nuclear, wherein said film has the film outer surface and the film inner surface of described nuclear dorsad, comprises little embossing pattern in described film outer surface and/or the described film inner surface.

19. method as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that comprising in the described film outer surface little embossing pattern.

20. method as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that comprising little embossing pattern in the described film inner surface.

21. a method of producing dosage form, described method comprises:

A) under greater than temperature and vacuum pressure about prefabricated desciccator diaphragm melt temperature, prefabricated desciccator diaphragm is put at least a portion of nuclear;

B) temperature is reduced q.s, to cool off and described film to be molded on the described part of described nuclear basically;

C) take out any unnecessary film from examining,

Wherein, described film comprises following composition:

A) have at least one surperficial polymeric film lamellar thing, have little embossment in the described surface; With

B) carrier of described tablet.

22. a method of producing dosage form, described method comprises:

A) under greater than temperature and vacuum pressure about prefabricated desciccator diaphragm melt temperature, prefabricated desciccator diaphragm is put at least a portion of nuclear, described film has the inner surface and the outer surface of described nuclear dorsad;

B) temperature is reduced q.s, to cool off and described film to be molded on the described part of described nuclear basically;

C) take out any unnecessary film from examining,

Wherein, on the outer surface of described film, comprise little embossing pattern.

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