Endermic application kits for external medicines

• US 5,007,438 A
• Filed: 03/28/1989
• Issued: 04/16/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shunro Tachibana
• Original Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha Limited (Meiji Holdings Company Limited), Shunro Tachibana
• Inventors: Shibata, Uichi, Tachibana, Shunro
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US07/329,914
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 128/649, 128/798, 604/20, 604/290, 604/304, 604/307, 604/896
• US Class Current: 607/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/105 with means for delivering media, e.g. drugs or cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0092 using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic vibrations, e.g. phonophoresis

Abstract

Disclosed is an endermic application kit for external medicines, which comprises a drug-containing layer as provided near an ultrasonic oscillator. The kit includes a cylindrical fixed-type or portable-type and a flat regular-type or adhesive-type, and the adhesive-type may be flexible and elastic. The drug absorption is ensured by the action of the ultrasonic waves from the oscillator and the drug release can be controlled by varying the ultrasonic wave output from the oscillator.

Claims

1. A device for administering medication to a host through the skin of the host comprising enclosure means, a layer of medication disposed within said enclosure means, and ultrasonic oscillating means comprising an ultrasonic oscillator element disposed in said enclosure means and operable to cause the medication within said layer of medication to pass from said enclosure means into said skin to thereby administer said medication to said host.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic oscillating means further comprises an ultrasonic wave generating means, and connecting means connecting said ultrasonic wave generating means to said ultrasonic oscillator element.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said ultrasonic wave generating means is disposed externally of said enclosure means.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said connecting means comprises lead wires passing through said enclosure means.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein said ultrasonic wave generating means is disposed internally of said enclosure means.

6. A device according to claim 2, wherein said layer of medication, said ultrasonic oscillator element, and said ultrasonic wave generating means are disposed in superimposed array within said enclosure means.

7. A device according to claim 2, wherein said ultrasonic wave generating means further comprises a battery as a source of power, said battery being disposed within said enclosure means.

8. A device according to claim 2, wherein said ultrasonic wave generating means comprises an ultrasonic wave generating device and a battery, said ultrasonic wave generating device and said battery being disposed within said enclosure means.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic wave generating means is operable to vary the ultrasonic wave output energy to thereby control the rate of administration of said medication to said host.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic oscillator element is superimposed over said layer of medication such that said layer of medication is disposed between said ultrasonic oscillator element and said skin when said medication is being administered to said host.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure means comprises at least one portion made of a medication-permeable material being disposed between the medication in said layer of medication and said skin during administration of said medication such that said medication passes through said medication-permeable material to said skin.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure means comprises a cylindrical body having one longitudinal end portion at which said layer of medication is disposed, said ultrasonic oscillator element being disposed in said body in superimposed relationship over said layer of medication.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic oscillator element comprises a flexible material.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure means comprises a flexible material.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic oscillator element comprises a ceramic material.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic oscillator element is spaced from said layer of medication.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic oscillator element is disposed on said layer of medication.

18. A device according to claim 1 further comprising buffer means for supporting said ultrasonic oscillator element in said enclosure means.

19. A method for administering medication to a host through the skin of the host comprising the steps of disposing a layer of medication and an ultrasonic oscillator element within an enclosure, placing the enclosure in a position such that said layer of medication is juxtaposed to said skin, applying a source of ultrasonic wave energy to said ultrasonic oscillator element to thereby cause said medication to pass from said enclosure to said skin of said host to thereby effect administration of said medication to said host and controlling the rate of administration to said medication to said host by varying the output energy of said ultrasonic wave energy.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said enclosure is made at least partially of a medication-permeable layer, further comprising positioning said layer of medication on said skin such that said medication-permeable layer is disposed between said skin and said medication, and passing said medication through said medication-permeable layer to said skin.

21. A method for administering medication to a host through the skin of the host comprising the steps of disposing a layer of medication juxtaposed to said skin, superimposing an ultrasonic oscillator element over said layer of medication, applying ultrasonic wave energy to said ultrasonic oscillator element to thereby cause said medication to pass through said skin and controlling the rate of administration of said medication to said host by varying the output energy of said ultrasonic wave energy.

22. A device for administering medication to a host through the skin of the host comprising enclosure means, a layer of medication disposed within said enclosure means, an ultrasonic oscillator element disposed in said enclosure means, an ultrasonic wave generator disposed externally of said enclosure means, and lead wire means extending between said ultrasonic oscillator element and said ultrasonic wave generator, said ultrasonic oscillator element being operable to cause said medication within said layer of medication to pass from said enclosure means into said skin to thereby administer said medication to said host.