Solid Oral Dosage Form Attached to a Handle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of attaching a handle to a solid oral dosage form by use of high frequency mechanical vibrations. The present invention also relates to a method of attaching a handle to a solid oral dosage form, the method comprising: (a) placing a handle in contact with a solid oral dosage form, wherein an area of contact between the handle and the solid oral dosage form forms a joint interface; (b) applying high frequency mechanical vibrations to the joint interface until the solid oral dosage form at the joint interface reaches a molten state; and (c) cooling the joint interface in a molten state to allow solidification, thereby attaching the handle to the solid oral dosage form.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A solid oral dosage form attached to a handle made by a method comprising:
 placing a handle in contact with a solid oral dosage form, wherein an area of contact between the handle and the solid oral dosage form forms a joint interface;   applying high frequency mechanical vibrations to the joint interface until a localized melting of the solid oral dosage form at the joint interface is achieved; and   cooling the joint interface to allow solidification of the solid oral dosage form, thereby attaching the handle to the solid oral dosage form.   
     
     
         24 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 23 , wherein the joint interface has an area of 0.01 cm 2  to 10 cm 2 . 
     
     
         25 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 23 , wherein the solid oral dosage form comprises an active agent. 
     
     
         26 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 25 , wherein the active agent is fentanyl, fentanyl citrate, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 23 , wherein the handle comprises acetonitrile butadiene styrene, a thermoplastic, a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, a thermostat polymer, an olefin, a thermoplastic rubber, a metal, a composite plastic, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 23 , wherein the solid oral dosage form is a compressed dosage form. 
     
     
         29 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 23 , wherein the solid oral dosage form is a molded dosage form. 
     
     
         30 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 23 , wherein the handle is a rigid rod. 
     
     
         31 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 23 , wherein 1 pound to 70 pounds of force is required to detach the handle from the solid oral dosage form. 
     
     
         32 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 31 , wherein 5 pounds to 70 pounds of force is required to detach the handle from the solid oral dosage form. 
     
     
         33 . A solid oral dosage form attached to a handle comprising:
 a) a solid oral dosage form;   b) a handle; and   c) a weld joining the solid oral dosage form and the handle,   
       wherein the weld comprises locally melted and re-solidified solid oral dosage form. 
     
     
         34 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 33 , wherein the solid oral dosage form comprises an active agent. 
     
     
         35 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 34 , wherein the active agent is fentanyl, fentanyl citrate, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 33 , wherein the handle comprises acetonitrile butadiene styrene, a thermoplastic, a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, a thermostat polymer, an olefin, a thermoplastic rubber, a metal, a composite plastic, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 33 , wherein the solid oral dosage form is a compressed dosage form. 
     
     
         38 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 33 , wherein the solid oral dosage form is a molded dosage form. 
     
     
         39 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 33 , wherein the handle is a rigid rod. 
     
     
         40 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 33 , wherein 1 pound to 70 pounds of force is required to detach the handle from the solid oral dosage form. 
     
     
         41 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 40 , wherein 5 pounds to 70 pounds of force is required to detach the handle from the solid oral dosage form. 
     
     
         42 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 33 , wherein the solid oral dosage form comprises a matrix comprising povidone. 
     
     
         43 . The solid oral dosage form of  claim 33 , wherein the solid oral dosage form comprises a matrix comprising starch, sucrose, fructose or combinations thereof.