초록 ▼

Devices and methods are provided for transdermal administration of a pharmaceutical agent to a patient in need thereof. The device includes a substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoirs in the substrate, one or more pharmaceutical agents stored in the reservoirs, discrete reservoir caps that preve

Devices and methods are provided for transdermal administration of a pharmaceutical agent to a patient in need thereof. The device includes a substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoirs in the substrate, one or more pharmaceutical agents stored in the reservoirs, discrete reservoir caps that prevent the pharmaceutical agent from passing out from the reservoirs until desired, control means for actuating release of the one or more pharmaceutical agents from one or more of the reservoirs by disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir caps, means for securing the device to the skin of the patient, and means for transporting the pharmaceutical agent to the skin following release from the one or more of the reservoirs. In another embodiment, the device is adapted for diagnostic sensing instead of or in addition to drug delivery.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A medical device for transdermal administration of one or more pharmaceutical agents to a patient in need thereof comprising: a substrate; a plurality of discrete reservoirs in the substrate; one or more pharmaceutical agents stored in the reservoirs; discrete reservoir caps which prev

We claim: 1. A medical device for transdermal administration of one or more pharmaceutical agents to a patient in need thereof comprising: a substrate; a plurality of discrete reservoirs in the substrate; one or more pharmaceutical agents stored in the reservoirs; discrete reservoir caps which prevent the one or more pharmaceutical agents from passing out from the reservoirs; control means for actuating release of the one or more pharmaceutical agents from one or more of the reservoirs by disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir caps; means for securing the device to the skin of the patient; and means for transporting the one or more pharmaceutical agents to the skin following release from the one or more reservoirs, wherein the means for transporting comprises a flexible or rigid member having media-filled holes with spacing corresponding to openings in said reservoirs, which allows release of reservoir contents without dilution. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir cap is formed of an electrically conductive material and the control means comprises an electrical input lead connected to said reservoir cap, an electrical output lead connected to said reservoir cap, wherein the reservoir cap is ruptured by application of an electrical current through the reservoir cap via the input lead and output lead. 3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a source of electric power for applying the electrical current. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir cap comprises a metal film. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for securing comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for securing comprises an adhesive layer which is permeable to the one or more pharmaceutical agents. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the media of said media-filled holes is a transport medium which comprises a liquid, gel, or semi-solid permeation material. 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a housing which contains the substrate, control means, and a power source. 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a removably attachable electronics portion which comprises the power source and at least a portion of the control means. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for transporting further comprises a plurality of microneedles. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for transporting further comprises one or more chemical penetration enhancers. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for transporting further comprises an ultrasound generator. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for transporting further comprises means for effecting iontophoresis, electroosmosis, or electroporation. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for transporting further comprises a heating element. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoirs are microreservoirs. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more pharmaceutical agents comprises a drug selected from the group consisting of androgen, estrogen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, anti-hypertensive agents, analgesic agents, anti-depressants, antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, local anesthetics, antiemetics, anti-infectants, contraceptives, anti-diabetic agents, steroids, anti-allergy agents, anti-migraine agents, agents for smoking cessation, anti-obesity agents, nicotine, testosterone, estradiol, nitroglycerin, clonidine, dexamethasone, wintergreen oil, tetracaine, lidocaine, fentanyl, sufentanil, progestrone, insulin, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, prilocaine, bupivacaine, sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine, and combinations thereof. 17. A medical device for transdermal administration of one or more pharmaceutical agents to a patient in need thereof comprising: a substrate; a plurality of discrete reservoirs in the substrate; one or more pharmaceutical agents stored in the reservoirs; discrete reservoir caps which prevent the one or more pharmaceutical agents from passing out from the reservoirs; control means for actuating release of the one or more pharmaceutical agents from one or more of the reservoirs by disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir caps; an adhesive or strap material for securing the device to the skin of the patient; and a body defining a transport medium reservoir disposed between the reservoir caps and the skin of the patient, the body and reservoir facilitating transport of the one or more pharmaceutical agents to the skin following their release from the one or more reservoirs, wherein the transport medium reservoir comprises a single pool of a biocompatible transport fluid into which the one or more pharmaceutical agents are diluted prior to delivery to the skin. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the transport medium reservoir contains a liquid, gel, or semi-solid permeation material. 19. The device of claim 17, wherein the reservoir cap is formed of an electrically conductive material and the control means comprises a source of electric power and an electrical input lead connected to said reservoir cap, an electrical output lead connected to said reservoir cap, wherein the reservoir cap is ruptured by application of an electrical current through the reservoir cap via the input lead and output lead. 20. The device of claim 19, further comprising a housing which contains the substrate and control means. 21. The device of claim 19, wherein the power source and at least a portion of the control means are provided in a removably attachable electronics portion. 22. The device of claim 17, wherein the reservoir cap comprises a metal film. 23. The device of claim 17, wherein said adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 24. The device of claim 17, wherein said adhesive is permeable to the one or more pharmaceutical agents. 25. The device of claim 17, wherein said body comprises a plurality of microneedles. 26. The device of claim 17, wherein said biocompatible transport fluid comprises one or more chemical penetration enhancers. 27. The device of claim 17, further comprising an ultrasound generator or means for effecting lontophoresis, electroosmosis, or electroporation. 28. The device of claim 17, further comprising a heating element for generating heat to drive transport of the one or more pharmaceutical agents across the skin. 29. The device of claim 17, wherein the reservoirs are microreservoirs. 30. The device of claim 17, wherein the one or more pharmaceutical agents comprises a drug selected from the group consisting of androgen, estrogen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, anti-hypertensive agents, analgesic agents, anti-depressants, antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, local anesthetics, antiemetics, anti-infectants, contraceptives, anti-diabetic agents, steroids, anti-allergy agents, anti-migraine agents, agents for smoking cessation, anti-obesity agents, nicotine, testosterone, estradiol, nitroglycerin, clonidine, dexamethasone, wintergreen oil, tetracaine, lidocaine, fentanyl, sufentanil, progestrone, insulin, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, prilocaine, bupivacaine, sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine, and combinations thereof.