Disposable transdermal drug applicators

• US 5,358,483 A
• Filed: 09/23/1992
• Issued: 10/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Drug Delivery Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Drug Delivery Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Sibalis, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PREBILIC, PAUL B
• Application Number:
  US07/949,721
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 604/20, 604/115, 128/798, 128/802, 128/803
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0436 Material of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/044 Shape of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0448 Drug reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4921 with bonding

Abstract

An electrically/battery powered transdermal drug applicator comprising a flexible nonconductive substrate with a plurality of conductive coated areas, the conductive coated areas forming drug reservoir electrodes, and a plurality of drug reservoirs separated by occlusive adhesive dams and in electrical contact with said drug reservoir electrodes. The battery is connected to the electrodes of the drug reservoirs and said applicator including electrical current conditioning means, with a conformal cover adhesively secured to said transdermal drug applicator and with a release liner covering and protecting said plurality of drug reservoirs until use.

Claims

1. A transdermal drug applicator which is electrically powered by a power source comprising:

a flexible non-conductive substrate having a plurality ofconductive coated areas, said conductive coated areas forming drug reservoir electrodes, a plurality of drug reservoirs separated by occlusive adhesive dams and in electrical contact with said drug reservoir electrodes, said power source comprising a battery connected to the electrodes of the drug reservoirs and said applicator including electrical current conditioning means, a conformal cover adhesively secured to said transdermal drug applicator and a release liner for covering protecting said plurality of drug reservoirs until use.

2. The transdermal drug applicator which is electrically powered according to claim 1, wherein some of the conductive coated areas interconnecting the drug reservoir electrodes are of a predetermined resistance so as to perform the function of a current limiting resistor.

3. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim 1, wherein the battery comprises offset apertures of different size to ensure installation of the battery in the proper direction.

4. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein the release liner comprises silicone for facilitating its release.

5. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein the occlusive adhesive dams comprise silicone material.

6. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein the drug reservoirs are part of a removable, replaceable sub-assembly.

7. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim 1, wherein the battery is part of a replaceable, removable sub-assembly.

8. A drug applicator as in claim 1, including indicator means observable through window means.

9. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein the electrodes of the battery are in the form of layered flat sheets.

10. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein some of the layered flat sheets are of carbon.

11. An applicator as in claim 10, wherein some of the layered flat sheets are of zinc.

12. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein the drug reservoir electrodes are thin and flat.

13. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein the drug reservoirs, drug reservoir electrodes, occlusive adhesive dams, and nonconductive substrate comprise a foldable, removable, and replaceable sub-assembly within said conformal cover.

14. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein the drug reservoirs comprise a gelled electrolyte.

15. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein the drug reservoirs further comprise a semipermeable membrane between high and low density reservoirs.

16. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim 1, wherein the conductive coated areas comprise a noble metal.

17. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate has a plurality of battery electrodes.

18. A transdermal drug applicator as in claim 1, wherein said indicating means providing an indication of the operative condition of said transdermal drug applicator.

19. An applicator as in claim 1, wherein said battery comprises a separate battery package connectable to said transdermal drug applicator.

20. An applicator as in claim 19, wherein connections between said battery package and said transdermal drug applicator comprise opening means in said conformal cover.

21. An applicator as in claim 20, wherein said opening means comprise openings for battery terminals connectable to the electrodes of said drug reservoirs.

22. An applicator as in claim 21, wherein said openings have parallel axis.

23. An applicator as in claim 22, wherein said axis are actually aligned.

24. A transdermal drug applicator which is electrically powered by a power source comprising:

a flexible non-conductive substrate having a plurality of conductive coated areas, said conductive coated areas forming drug reservoir electrodes, a plurality of drug reservoirs separated by occlusive adhesive dams and in electrical contact with said drug reservoir electrodes, said power source comprising a battery connected to the electrodes of the drug reservoirs and said applicator including electrical current conditioning means, and a conformal cover adhesively secured to said transdermal drug applicator.

25. The transdermal drug applicator as in claim 24, further including a release liner covering and protecting said plurality of drug reservoirs until use.