Device and method for enhancing transdermal agent flux

• US 20040236271A1
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Original Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Inventors: Theeuwes, Felix, Cormier, Michel J.N., Neukermans, Armand P.
• Application Number:
  US10/881,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236271A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/47
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/205 Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0023 Drug applicators using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0046 Solid microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles

Abstract

An agent delivery or sampling device (2) comprising a member (6) having a plurality of blades (4) for piercing the skin and a connecting medium (65) covering at least a part of the skin contacting side (48) of the member (6) for increasing transdermal flux of an agent.

Claims

1. A device for introducing or withdrawing an agent through a body surface, comprising:

a member having a body-surface-proximal side and a body-surface-distal side;

said member further having a first surface on said body-surface-proximal side of said member, a second surface on said body-surface-distal side of said member and a plurality of protrusions capable of piercing said body surface;

said protrusions extending from the first surface; and

a connecting medium disposed on at least a portion of said first surface of said member, said connecting medium being in the range of about 10 micrometers to about 100 micrometers thick, said connecting medium being capable of storing said biologically active agent therein or passing said biologically active agent therethrough when said plurality of protrusions have pierced the body surface and said connecting medium is placed in contact with said body surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said member includes an opening therethrough.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said connecting medium extends across said opening.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said connecting medium extends through said opening.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein said connecting medium is disposed in said opening.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said connecting medium is about 50 micrometers thick.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said connecting medium comprises a hydrogel.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said connecting medium comprises a form selected from the group consisting of a gel, a solid and a powder.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said connecting medium comprises a matrix material.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions comprise a plurality of blades.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of blades includes means for anchoring said device to the body surface.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said device further includes an agent delivery device connected said member, said agent delivery device being selected from the group consisting of an electrotransport device, a passive device, an osmotic device, and a pressure driven device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of a gene, a polypeptide, and a protein.

16. The device of claim 1, further a sampling device connected to said member, said sampling device being selected from the group consisting of a reverse electrotransport device, a passive device, and an osmotic device.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein a sampled agent is selected from the group consisting of body electrolytes, illicit drugs and glucose.

6. (Canceled)

9. (Canceled)

18-25. -25. (Canceled)