METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DRUG DELIVERY INVOLVING PHASE CHANGING FORMULATIONS

• US 20020004063A1
• Filed: 09/28/1999
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crescita Therapeutics Inc.
• Original Assignee: Zars, Inc.
• Inventors: ZHANG, JIE
• Granted Patent: US 6,528,086 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/443
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0034 Urogenital system, e.g. vagina, uterus, cervix, penis, scrotum, urethra, bladder; Personal lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/7015 Drug-containing film-forming compositions, e.g. spray-on
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 15/10 for impotence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/02 for treating wounds, ulcers, burns, scars, keloids, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 23/02 Local anaesthetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus and method of drug delivery on a human body surface. The formulation comprises a drug, a conversion agent capable of converting the formulation from a less solid phase to a coherent, soft, solid phase, and a vehicle medium or carrier for the drug and conversion agent. The drug formulation is applied to this human body surface in its less than solid phase and is subsequently converted to a soft solid phase while the drug is being delivered through the human body surface. After delivery of the drug is complete, the soft solid formulation can be removed or peeled from the body surface as a coherent solid formulation. The drug formulation provides control over drug delivery rates and allows the formulation to be removed without leaving a messy, residual formulation on the body surface.

Claims

1. A formulation for dermal drug delivery to a body surface comprising:

a drug, a conversion agent, and a vehicle medium, said formulation being in a less-than-solid form.

2. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the drug is a local anesthetic.

3. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the drug is tetracaine.

4. The formulation of claim 3, wherein said tetracaine is at least 20% unionized.

5. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the drug is a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics.

6. The formulation of claim 2, wherein the anesthetic is selected from the group of lidocaine, tetracaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, dibucaine, etidocaine, butacaine, cyclomethycaine, hexylcaine, proparacaine, and lopivacaine.

7. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said drug is dissolved in an oil, said oil being dispersed as droplets in said vehicle medium.

8. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said vehicle medium allows the formulation to maintain a desired viscosity during application.

9. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said vehicle medium comprises a permeation enhancer.

10. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said vehicle medium comprises an emulsifying agent.

11. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said vehicle medium comprises a plasticiser.

12. The formulation of claim 1 wherein said vehicle medium comprises a viscosity agent.

13. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said vehicle medium comprises a hygroscopic agent.

14. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said conversion agent is capable of facilitating a phase change of said formulation to a coherent, soft solid following application of said formulation on said body surface.

15. The formulation of claim 14, wherein said phase change is passively triggered.

16. The formulation of claim 14, wherein said phase change is actively triggered.

17. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said vehicle medium comprises an agent capable of improving the chemical stability of said drug in said formulation.

18. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said drug is selected from the group of drug classes consisting of:

anti-infective agents, antivirals, antibiotics, antifungals, antiseptics, anti-inflammatory agents, antipruritics;

cell stimulants and proliferants, emollients, agents for treating necrotic tissues and dermal ulcers or used in debridement, anti-skin cancer/anti-keratosis agents, wound cleansing agents, agents for promoting hair growth, depigmenting agents, sunscreen agents and chemical sunscreen agents and opaque physical sunscreen agents, dermatological agents, drugs for promoting wound healing, drugs for treating warts and moles, drugs for treating ulcerated skin surfaces, drugs used on newborn babies drugs that are applied to mucosa, drugs for treating male erectile dysfunction, drugs for treating mucosal warts.

19. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said drug is selected from the group of drug consisting of:

acyclovir, bacitracin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, mupirocin, neomycin, tetracylcines, amphotericin B, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, butaconazole, ciclopirox, clioquino, clotrimazole, econazole nitrate, haloprogin, ketoconazole, micronazole, naftifine, nystatin, oxiconazole, sodium thiosulfate, terconazole, triacetin, undecyclenic acid, undecylenate salts, benzalkonium chloride, hexachlorophene, iodine, mafenide, metronidazole, nitrofurazone, selenium sulfide, silver sulfadiazine, corticosteroids, tretinoin, vitamins A, D, collagenase, fibrinolysin, deoxyribonuclease, sutilains, fluorouracil, dextranomer, minoxidil, hydroquinone, monobenzone, aminobenzoic acid derivatives such as aminobenzoic acid and menthyl anthranilate, benzophenone, derivatives such as dioxybenzone and oxybenzone, salicylate derivatives, cinnamic acid derivatives, gigalloyl trioleate, red petrolatum, titanium dioxide, zic oxide, anthralin, calcipotriene, alprostadil and imiquimod.

20. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said drug formulation provides controlled release of the drug from the formulation to the body surface.

21. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said formulation is capable of controlling water evaporation rate in the formulation.

22. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said conversion agent permits the formulation to change to a soft coherent solid which acts as a protective covering to the body surface.

23. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said converting agent is capable of converting a portion of the formulation exposed to ambient care to a coherent solid such that undesired contact between said portion of the formulation in a coherent solid phase and a second surface does not result in the removal of said drug formulation to the second surface due to said contact.

155. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said crosslinking agent comprises boron.

24. A method of dermal drug delivery onto a human body surface and tissues under said surface comprising the steps of:

applying a drug formulation to a human body surface, said formulation comprising a drug, a conversion agent, and a vehicle medium;

converting said formulation from a less-than-solid phase to a coherent, soft solid phase;

delivering the drug to said human body surface upon which said formulation is applied and tissues under said surface; and

removing said formulation.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of applying further comprises applying the formulation in a substantially even layer.

26. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of applying further comprises applying the formulation in an even layer of a predetermined thickness.

27. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said human body surface is human facial skin.

28. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said human body surface is compromised human body surfaces.

29. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said human body surface is post surgery wound.

30. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said human body surface has an insect bite.

31. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said human body surface has all insect sting.

32. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said human body surface is a minor cut.

33. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of applying comprises employing a means for applying the formulation in a layer of substantially uniform thickness.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said means for applying is a spatula having spaces.

35. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said means for applying is a squeezable container and a nozzle.

36. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of applying further comprises applying the formulation in less-than-solid form.

37. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein said less-than-solid form is a preformed layer of formulation.

38. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of converting further comprises passive initiation of the conversion process.

39. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the step of converting further comprises removing the formulation from a storage environment to allow conversion to take place.

40. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of converting further comprises exposing the formulation to ambient environmental conditions.

41. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said ambient environmental conditions are exposure to various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, to temperatures, to humidity levels, or to atmospheric gases.

42. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of converting further comprises actively initiating the conversion agent.

43. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of converting further comprises crosslinking a crosslinkable agent in said formulation.

44. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of converting further comprises permitting controlled water loss from the formulation.

45. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of converting further comprises activating the conversion agent by modifying conditions of ambient environment proximate said formulation.

46. The method as recited in claim 45, wherein said conditions of ambient environment proximate said formulation consist of exposure to various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, to specific temperatures, to humidity levels, or to atmospheric gases.

47. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of delivering comprises delivering the drug at a controlled rate.

48. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of delivering comprises delivering the drug for a predetermined period of time.

49. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of delivering comprises using the solubility of the drug in aqueous phase of said formulation to control the delivery of the drug.

50. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of delivering further comprises means for controlling the rate and amount of drug delivery to avoid systemic toxicity.

51. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of removing comprises peeling the formulation off after the formulation has been converted to a coherent, soft solid.

52. The method in claim 24, wherein said formulation comprises a crosslinkable but substantially uncrosslinked polymer.

53. The method as recited in claim 52, wherein said polymer is selected from the group of polyvinyl alcohol and carrageenan.

54. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said formulation comprises a substance that can facilitate the conversion of said formulation from a less-than-solid form into a coherent soft solid when enough solvent in said formulation is evaporated.

55. The method as recited in claim 54, wherein said substance is selected from the group of:

poly vinyl alcohol, carrageenan, gellan gum, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

56. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said method further comprises means to promote the absorption of said drug into said human body surface with heating.

57. The method as recited in claim 56, wherein said means comprises blowing heated air onto said formulation on said human body surface.

58. The method as recited in claim 56, wherein said means comprises radiating infrared radiation onto said formulation on said human body surface.

59. The method as recited in claim 56, wherein said means comprising placing a patch capable of generating heat onto said formulation on said human body surface.

60. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein the heat of said heating patch is generated by an exothermic reaction.

230. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein said delivering a crosslinking agent into said formulation comprises covering said formulation with a sheet of material immigrated with said crosslinking agent.

61. A formulation for anesthetizing a human body surface and tissues under said surface, comprising:

at least one local anesthetic agent;

a gelling agent; and

an evaporable liquid, the formulation being in a less-than-solid form and said gelling agent capable of facilitating a conversion of said formulation into a coherent, soft solid after a portion of said evaporable liquid is evaporated.

65. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said gelling agent is polyvinyl alcohol.

66. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said local anesthetic is tetracaine.

67. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said gelling agent is selected from the group of gellan gum, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carrageenan, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and other cellulose derivatives.

68. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said local anesthetic agent is selected from the group of lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, dibucaine, etidocaine, butacaine, cyclomethycaine, hexylcaine, proparacaine, and lopivacaine.

69. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said local anesthetic agent is a eutectic mixture comprising two local anesthetics.

70. The formulation of claim 69, wherein said eutectic mixture is a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine.

71. The formulation of claim 69, wherein said eutectic mixture is a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine.

72. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said local anesthetic agent is dissolved in an oil which is substantially insoluble in water and is disposed in said formulation as oil droplets.

73. The formulation in claim 72, wherein said oil is selected from the group of castor oil and oleyl alcohol.

74. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said formulation further comprises a substance that inhibits hydrolytic degradation of ester type local anesthetics.

75. The formulation of claim 74, wherein said substance is glycerol.

76. The formulation of claim 74, wherein said substance is selected from the group of N-methyl pyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol.

77. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said evaporable liquid is water.

78. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said evaporable liquid is alcohol.

79. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said formulation further comprises a substance capable of retaining water.

80. The formulation of claim 79, wherein said substance capable of retaining water is Water Lock®

.

81. The formulation of claim 79, wherein said substance capable of retaining water is selected from the group of sorbitol and glycerol.

82. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said human body surface is skin.

83. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said human body surface is mucosal membrane.

84. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said human body surface is a compromised skin surface.

85. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said human body surface is ulcerated skin surface.

86. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said human body surface is a compromised skin surface having dead tissues that need to be debrided.

87. The formulation as recited in claim 61, wherein said human body surface is post surgical wound.

88. The formulation as recited in claim 61, wherein said human body surface has an insect bite.

89. The formulation as recited in claim 61, wherein said human body surface has an insect sting.

90. The formulation as recited in claim 61, wherein said human body surface has a minor cut.

91. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said formulation further comprises an emulsifying agent.

92. The formulation of claim 61, wherein said emulsifying agent is selected from the group of lecithin, gelatin, polysorbates, poly oxyethylene fatty acid esters, Pemulen TR1, Pemulen TR2 and sorbitan esters.

62. The formulation of claim 62, further comprising a plasticizing substance;

said plasticizing substance being capable of maintaining said formulation in the form of soft solid after said evaporable liquid is substantially all evaporated.

63. The formulation of claim 62, wherein said plasticizing substance is glycerol.

64. The formulation of claim 62, wherein said plasticizing substance is selected from the group of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol.

93. A formulation for anesthetizing a human body surface and tissues under said surface, comprising:

at least one local anesthetic agent selected from the group of lidocaine, tetracaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, dibucaine, etidocaine, butacaine, cyclomethycaine, hexylcaine, proparacaine, and lopivacaine, and

a thermal gel, said formulation being capable of becoming more solid at a temperature between 20°

C. to 37°

C.

94. A method for noninvasive dermal drug delivery to a human body surface and tissues under said surface, comprising the steps of:

applying a layer of formulation comprising a drug and a liquid onto human body surface;

said formulation being in the form which is less solid than a coherent, soft solid before being applied onto a human body surface;

converting said layer of formulation into a layer of coherent solid; and

removing said coherent solid layer of formulation from said human body surface.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of removing said layer comprises peeling said layer after more than 50% of said formulation is converted to a coherent, soft layer.

96. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said formulation comprises a polymer capable of converting said formulation into a coherent solid when said formulation loses a predetermined amount of said liquid.

97. The method as recited in claim 96, wherein said polymer is polyvinyl alcohol.

98. The method as recited in claim 96, wherein said polymer is selected from the group of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carrageenan, gellan gum, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and other cellulose derivatives.

99. The method of claim 94, wherein said drug is topically targeted.

100. The method of claim 94, wherein said drug is systemically targeted.

101. The method of claim 94, wherein said drug is regionally targeted.

102. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said drug is a local anesthetic agent selected from the group of lidocaine, tetracaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, dibucaine, etidocaine, butacaine, cyclomethycaine, hexylcaine, proparacaine, and lopivacaine.

103. The method as recited in claim 102, wherein said method further comprises peeling said layer of formulation from said human body surface after said human body surface is significantly anesthetized.

104. The method of claim 94, wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting of acyclovir, bacitracin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, mupirocin, neomycin, tetracylcines, amphotericin B, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, butaconazole, ciclopirox, clioquinol, clotrimazole, econazole nitrate, haloprogin, ketoconazole, micronazole, naftifine, nystatin, oxiconazole, sodium thiosulfate, terconazole, triacetin, undecyclenic acid, and undecylenate salts, benzalkonium chloride, hexachlorophene, iodine, mafenide, metronidazole, nitrofurazone, selenium sulfide, silver sulfadiazine, corticosteroids, tretinoin, vitamins A, D, collagenase, fibrinolysin, desoxyribonuclease, sutilains, fluorouracil, dextranomer, minoxidil, hydroquinone, monobenzone, aminobenzoic acid derivatives such as aminobenzoic acid and menthyl anthranilate, benzophenone derivatives such as dioxybenzone and oxybenzone, salicylate derivatives cinnamic acid derivatives gigalloyl trioleate, red petrolatum, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, anthralin, calcipotriene, alprostadil and imiquimod.

105. The method of claim 94, wherein said drug is selected from the classes of drugs consisting of:

anti-infective agents, antivirals, antibiotics, antifungal, antiseptics, anti-inflammatory agents, antipruritics;

cell stimulants and proliferants, emollients, agents for treating necrotic tissues and dermal ulcers or used in debridement, anti-skin cancer/anti-keratosis agents, wound cleansing agents, agents for promoting hair growth, depigmenting agents, sunscreen agents and chemical sunscreen agents and opaque physical sunscreen agents, other dermatological agents, drugs for promoting wound healing, drugs for treating warts and moles, drugs for treating ulcerated skin surfaces, drugs used on newborn babies that need to be delivered in a patch form, drugs that are applied to mucosa, drugs for treating male erectile dysfunction, drugs for treating mucosal warts.

106. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said formulation comprises a plasticizing agent;

said plasticizing agent being capable of maintaining said formulation in the form of a soft solid after said liquid is substantially all evaporated.

107. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said human body surface is skin.

108. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said human body surface is mucosal membrane.

109. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said human body surface is skin surface with broken stratum corneum layer.

110. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said human body surface is ulcerated surface.

111. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said human body surface is a compromised surface having dead tissues that need to be debrided.

112. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said human body surface is a post surgical wound surface.

113. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said step of converting said layer of formulation comprises evaporating said liquid in said formulation.

114. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said human body surface has an insect bite.

115. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said human body surface has an insect sting.

116. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said human body surface has a minor cut.

117. The method as recited in claim 94, further comprising the step of controlling the time it takes to convert said formulation into said layer of coherent solid.

119. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said step of converting said layer of formulation is completed within about 30 minutes to 60 minutes of application to said human body surface.

120. The method of claim 94, wherein said formulation comprises a crosslinkable but substantially uncrosslinked polymer.

121. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said step of converting said layer of formulation comprises delivering a crosslinking agent into said formulation.

122. The method as recited in claim 121, wherein said converting agent is a compound selected from boric acid and sodium borate.

123. The method as recited in claim 121, wherein said delivering a crosslinking agent into said formulation comprises covering said formulation with a sheet of material impregnated with said crosslinking agent.

124. The method as recited in claim 123, wherein said delivering a crosslinking agent into said formulation comprises spraying said crosslinking agent onto said formulation.

125. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said step of converting said layer of formulation comprises crosslinking a polymer in said formulation using ultraviolet radiation.

126. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said formulation comprises a thermal gel so that said formulation converts into a more solid state by being warmed from a storage temperature to a temperature range between about 28°

to about 38°

C.

127. The method of claim 126, wherein said temperature range is between about 29°

to about 34°

C.

128. The method as recited in claim 94, further comprising the step of heating said formulation and skin proximate said formulation.

129. The method as recited in claim 128, wherein said step of heating comprises blowing hot air onto said formulation on said human body surface.

130. The method as recited in claim 128, wherein said step of heating comprises radiating infrared radiation onto said formulation on said human body surface.

131. The method as recited in claim 128, wherein said step of heating comprises placing a patch capable of generating heat on said formulation on said human body surface.

132. The method as recited in claim 131, wherein the heat of said heating patch is generated by an exothermic reaction.

133. The method of claim 94, wherein said converting said layer of formulation comprises placing a layer of said formulation onto a human body surface having a temperature of at least 28°

C.

134. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein said method further comprises the means to promote the absorption of said drug into said human body surface with heating.

135. The method as recited in claim 129, wherein said means comprises blowing heated air onto said formulation on said human body surface.

136. The method as recited in claim 129, wherein said means comprises radiating infrared radiation onto said formulation on said human body surface.

137. The method as recited in claim 129, wherein said means comprising placing a patch capable of generating heat onto said formulation on said human body surface.

138. The method as recited in claim 132, wherein the heat of said heating patch is generated by an exothermic reaction.

118. The method as recited in claim l l7, wherein said step of controlling the time it takes to convert said formulation comprises applying a layer of said formulation with predetermined thickness onto said human body surface.

139. A method for delivering a drug into a human body, comprising the steps of:

providing a formulation comprising a pharmaceutically active substance and a crosslinkable but substantially uncrosslinked polymer;

providing a patch with a shallow cavity with a predetermined area;

the bottom of said shallow cavity comprising a crosslinking agent capable of converting said formulation into a more solid form,

placing said formulation into said cavity, and

applying said patch with said formulation onto a human body surface.

140. The patch as recited in claim 139, further comprising means for fixation onto human body surface.

141. The patch as recited in claim 140, wherein said means comprises a layer of adhesive.

142. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is a systemically targeted drug.

143. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is a topically targeted drug.

144. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is a regionally targeted drug.

145. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is a systemically targeted drug.

146. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is nicotine.

147. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is testosterone.

148. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is fentanyl.

149. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is sufentanil.

150. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is selected from the group of:

acyclovir, bacitracin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, niupirocin, neomycin, tetracylcines, amphotericin B, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, butaconazole, ciclopirox, clioquinol, clotrimazole, econazole nitrate, haloprogin, ketoconazole, micronazole, naftifine, nystatin, oxiconazole, sodium thiosulfate, terconazole, triacetin, undecycienic acid, and undecylenate salts, benzalkonium chloride, hexachlorophene, iodine, mafenide, metronidazole, nitrofurazone, selenium sulfide, silver sulfadiazine, corticosteroids, tretinoin, vitamins A, D, collagenase, fibrinolysin, deoxyribonuclease, sutilains, fluorouracil, dextranomer, minoxidil, hydroquinone, monobenzone, aminobenzoic acid derivatives such as aminobenzoic acid and menthyl anthranilate, benzophenone derivatives such as dioxybenzone and oxybenzone, salicylate derivatives, cinnamic acid derivatives, gigalloyl trioleate, red petrolatum, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, anthralin, calcipotriene, alprostadil and imiquimod.

151. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said pharmaceutically active substance is selected from the group of:

anti-infective agents, antivirals, antibiotics, antifungals, antiseptics, anti-inflammatory agents, antipruritics;

cell stimulants and proliferants, emollients, agents for treating necrotic tissues and dermal ulcers or used in debridement, anti-skin cancer/anti-keratosis agents, wound cleansing agents, agents for promoting hair growth, depigmenting agents, sunscreen agents and chemical sunscreen agents and opaque physical sunscreen agents, other dermatological agents, drugs for promoting wound healing, drugs for treating warts and moles, drugs for treating ulcerated skin surfaces, drugs used on newborn babies that need to be delivered in a patch form, drugs that are applied to mucosa, drugs for treating male erectile dysfunction, drugs for treating mucosal warts.

152. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said polymer is polyvinyl alcohol.

153. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said polymer is carrageenan.

154. The patch as recited in claim 139, wherein said crosslinking agent is selected from the group of boric acid and salts of boric acid.

156. An apparatus for anesthetizing human body surface and tissues under said surface comprising:

a formulation, said formulation comprising a local anesthetic agent;

a solidifying sheet; and

a crosslinkable but substantially uncrosslinked polymer;

said solidifying sheet comprising a sheet of material impregnated with a crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking said polymer in said formulation.

158. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said local anesthetic agent is selected from the group of lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, dibucaine, etidocaine, butacaine, cyclomethycaine, hexylcaine, proparacaine, and lopivacaine.

159. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said local anesthetic agent is in the form of eutectic mixture of local anesthetics.

160. The apparatus of claim 159, wherein said eutectic mixture is eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine.

161. The apparatus of claim 159, wherein said eutectic mixture is eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine.

162. The formulation of claim 156, wherein said local anesthetic agent is dissolved in an oil which is substantially insoluble in water and is disposed in said formulation as oil droplets.

163. The formulation in claim 162, wherein said oil is selected from the group of castor oil and oleyl alcohol.

164. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said formulation further comprises a substance that inhibits hydrolytic degradation of ester type local anesthetics.

165. The apparatus of claim 168, wherein said substance is glycerol.

166. The apparatus of claim 168, wherein said substance is selected from the group of N-methyl pyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol, castor oil and oleyl alcohol.

167. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said crosslinkable but substantially uncrosslinked polymer is polyvinyl alcohol.

168. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said crosslinking agent is selected from the group of boric acid and salts of boric acid.

169. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said crosslinkable but substantially uncrosslinked polymer is carrageenan.

170. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said substance capable of crosslinking said polymer is a compound comprising calcium.

171. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said formulation comprises a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine, polyvinyl alcohol, and water and said solidifying sheet comprises a sheet of material impregnated with a crosslinking agent chosen from the group of sodium borate, salts of boric acid and boric acid.

172. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said formulation comprises a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine, polyvinyl alcohol, and water, said solidifying sheet comprising a sheet of material impregnated with a crosslinking agent chosen from the group of sodium borate, salts of boric acid and boric acid.

173. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said crosslinking agent can be initiated to cross-link by heating.

174. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said crosslinking agent can be initiated to cross-link by blowing heated air onto said formulation on said human body surface.

175. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said crosslinking agent can be initiated to cross-link by radiating infrared radiation onto said formulation on said human body surface.

176. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein said crosslinking agent can be initiated to cross-link by placing a patch capable of generating heat onto said formulation on said human body surface.

177. The apparatus of claim 176, wherein the heat of said heating patch is generated by an exothermic reaction.

157. The apparatus of 156, wherein said local anesthetic agent is tetracaine.

178. An applicator for applying a layer of dermally delivered drug formulation to have uniform and predetermined thickness onto a human body surface, comprising:

a formulation container, and a nozzle, said nozzle comprising one input end and one output end;

said input end comprising means to attach said applicator to said container capable of containing said drug formulation and dispensing said formulation;

said output end of said nozzle comprising an opening with predetermined width and length.

179. The applicator as recited in claim 178, wherein said width is between 0.2 mm and 3.0 mm.

180. The applicator as recited in claim 178, wherein said length is between 2 mm and 30mm.

181. The applicator as recited in claim 178, wherein said means to attach said applicator to said container comprises a connector that can be releasably attached onto a matching outlet of said container.

182. The applicator in claim 178, wherein said drug formulation is a local anesthetic agent.

183. A method for noninvasively anesthetizing human skin, comprising the steps of:

applying a layer of a less-than-a-solid formulation containing water onto human skin; and

peeling said layer of formulation off said human skin after enough of said water is evaporated from the formulation so that more than 50% of said formulation becomes a coherent, soft solid.

184. The method as recited in claim 183, wherein said formulation comprises a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine, polyvinyl alcohol, and water.

185. The method as recited in claim 184, wherein said eutectic mixture of lidocatne and tetracaine, and polyvinyl alcohol, and water, disposed with said formulation have weight ratios as follows:

186. The method of claim 185, wherein said formulation further comprises gylcerol, said glycerol having a weight ration in the formulation of about 0 to 40%.

187. The method as recited in claim 185, wherein the formulation further comprises lecithin and Water Lock®

having the following weight ratios in the formulation;

188. The method as recited in claim 184, wherein said skin is facial skin.

189. The method as recited in claim 183, wherein said formulation comprises a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerol and water.

190. The method as recited in claim 189, wherein said eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine, polyvinyl alcohol and water disposed with said formulation have weight ratios as follows:

191. The method of claim 190, wherein said formulation further comprises gylcerol, said glycerol having a weight ration in the formulation of about 0 to 40%.

192. The method as recited in claim 189, wherein said skin is facial skin.

193. An apparatus for anesthetizing human skin, comprising a formulation and a solidifying sheet impregnated with a crosslinking agent chosen from the group of sodium borate, salts of boric acid or boric acid.

194. The apparatus of claim 193, wherein said formulation comprises a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine, polyvinyl alcohol, and water.

195. The apparatus of claim 193, wherein said formulation comprises a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine, polyvinyl alcohol, and water having the following weight ratios:

196. The apparatus of claim 193, wherein said formulation comprises a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine, polyvinyl alcohol, and water.

197. A method of simultaneously hydrating and anesthetizing a human body surface with a scab before debridement, comprising:

applying a layer of a formulation comprising at least one local anesthetic agent, one conversion agent, and water onto a human body surface with scab that needs to be debrided;

applying a sheet of material impregnated with a substance capable of activating said conversion agent and converting said formulation into a coherent, soft, solid gel;

said sheet of material further comprises a layer of material that is barrier to water;

waiting sufficient time so that said layer of formulation is substantially converted into a coherent, soft, solid gel; and

removing said layer of coherent, soft, solid gel from said human body surface after said human body surface is anesthetized and said scab is significantly softened.

198. The method as recited in claim 197, wherein said conversion agent is polyvinyl alcohol.

199. The method as recited in claim 197, wherein said substance capable of activating said conversion agent is compound from the group of boric acid and salts of boric acid.

200. A formulation for controlled anesthetic delivery to a human body surface that is not covered by stratum corneum and to tissues under said surface, comprising:

a local anesthetic agent disposed within said formulation, more than 60% of said local anesthetic agent existing in a nondissolved state in said formulation.

201. The formulation of claim 200, wherein said drug includes tetracaine.

202. The method as recited in claim 201, wherein said human body surface not covered by stratum corneum is mucosa.

203. The method as recited in claim 201, wherein said human body surface not covered by stratum corneum is ulcerated skin.

204. The method as recited in claim 201, wherein said human body surface not covered by stratum corneum is skin with scab that needs to be debrided.

205. The method as recited in claim 201, wherein said human body surface not covered by stratum corneum is post-surgical wound surface.

206. The formulation as recited in claim 201, wherein said local anesthetic in a non-dissolved state is a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics.

207. The formulation as recited in claim 201, wherein said local anesthetic in a non-dissolved state is a powder.

208. The formulation as recited in claim 201, wherein said local anesthetic comprises a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine, and water, lidocaine and tetracaine having the following weight ratio:

209. The formulation of claim 208, wherein more than 60% of said tetracaine exists as undissolved base in said formulation.

210. The formulation of claim 208, wherein more than 60% of said tetracaine exists as undissolved salt in said formulation.

211. The formulation of claim 200, wherein said drug is dissolved in an oil vehicle medium, said drug containing oil being emulsified as small droplets in said formulation.

212. The formulation of claim 211, wherein said oil is selected from the group of castor oil and oleyl alcohol.

213. The method as recited in claim 211, wherein said human body surface not covered by stratum corneum is mucosa.

214. The method as recited in claim 211, wherein said human body surface not covered by stratum corneum is ulcerated skin.

215. The method as recited in claim 211, wherein said human body surface not covered by stratum corneum is skin with scab that needs to be debrided.

216. The method as recited in claim 211, wherein said human body surface not covered by stratum corneum is post-surgical wound surface.

217. A method for improving the function of topically applied pharmaceutical formulations comprising:

applying a layer of formulation comprising a pharmaceutically active compound and a liquid onto a human body surface;

said formulation being in less-than-solid form before being applied onto a human body surface;

converting said layer of formulation into a layer of coherent solid, and peeling said layer of formulation from said human body surface after more than 50% of said formulation becomes a coherent soft solid.

218. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said formulation comprises a polymer capable of converting said formulation into a coherent solid when said formulation loses a predetermined amount of said liquid.

219. The method as recited in claim 218, wherein said polymer is polyvinyl alcohol.

220. The method as recited in claim 218, wherein said polymer is selected from the group of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carrageenan, gellan gum, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and other cellulose derivatives.

221. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said formulation comprises a plasticizing agent;

said plasticizing agent being capable of maintaining said formulation in the form of soft solid after said liquid is substantially all evaporated.

222. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said human body surface is skin.

223. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said human body surface is mucosal membrane.

224. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said human body surface is wound surface.

225. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said human body surface is ulcer surface.

226. The method of claim 217, wherein said human body surface has an insect bite.

227. The method of claim 217, wherein said human body surface has an insect sting.

228. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said converting said layer of formulation into a layer of coherent solid comprising evaporating said liquid in said formulation.

229. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said converting said layer of formulation into a coherent solid comprises delivering a crosslinking agent into said formulation.

231. The method as recited in claim 229, wherein said delivering a crosslinking agent into said formulation comprises spraying said crosslinking agent onto said formulation.

232. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said converting said layer of formulation into a layer of coherent solid is by crosslinking a polymer in said formulation with ultraviolet radiation.

233. The method as recited in claim 217, wherein said converting said layer of formulation into a layer of coherent solid comprises evaporating a liquid in said formulation.

234. The method as recited in claim 233, wherein said converting said layer of formulation into a layer of coherent solid significantly reduces the rate of drug delivery.

235. The method as recited in claim 233, wherein said converting said layer of formulation into a layer of coherent solid substantially terminates drug delivery upon completion of said conversion.

236. The method as recited in claim 233, wherein said converting said layer of formulation into a layer of coherent solid prevents over dosing.

237. The method of claim 217, further comprising selecting the amount of dimensional surface area that will be in contact with the formulation.

238. The method of claim 237, wherein said selecting comprises selecting from a variety of empty patches having potential contact surface areas, and filling one of said variety of empty patches with said formulation to have a desired contact surface area.

239. The method of claim 237, wherein said applying further comprises determining a desired surface area to be brought into contact with the formulation, and applying said formulation to have a surface area equal to the desired surface area.

240. The method of claim 237, wherein said applying further comprises controlling the drug delivery by selecting a desired surface area to be in contact with said formulation and administering said formulation to have a complimentary surface area to cover the desired surface area.

241. A combination of a method and a solidifying sheet for protecting the application time of said formulation on human body surface and for facilitating easy removal of said formulation after its application, said formulation comprising:

a pharmaceutically active agent selected from the following group of drugs;

antibiotics, agents for promoting hair growth, drugs for treating skin diseases, medications for treating wound; and

a crosslinkable but substantially uncrosslinked polymer,

said solidifying sheet comprising a sheet of material impregnated with a crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking said polymer in said formulation.