The influence on transit time exerted by the density or diameter of pellets has been established in six ileostomy subjects. An increase in density from 1·0 to 1·6 significantly increased the average transit time of pellets in the small intestine. The average transit time for the light and heavy pellets being 7 and 25 h respectively. The diameter of pellets is of minor significance. The findings suggest the use of density as a means of modifying the period of absorption of controlled‐release pellets.
The gastric emptying of pellets and single units of different densities has been followed in healthy subjects using the technique of gamma scintigraphy. The gastric emptying of the light pellets was affected by their buoyancy in the upper part of the stomach. However, the mean gastric emptying rates of pellets and single units were not significantly affected by density. Floating or buoyant delivery systems may have little advantage over conventional systems. The presence of food in the stomach was found to be the major factor in determining the gastric emptying of single units.
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