Drug delivery technology

• US 7,615,234 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2002
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enesi Pharma Limited
• Original Assignee: Glide Pharmaceutical Technologies Limited
• Inventors: Potter, Charles David Ogilvy, Potter, David Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Azpuru; Carlos A.
• Application Number:
  US10/238,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20030054044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,618 Days
• Field of Search: 424/423, 424/426
• US Class Current: 424/426
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/005 Magazines with multiple ampoules directly inserted into an injection or infusion device, e.g. revolver-like magazines containing ampoules with or without needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2013 triggering of discharging means by contact of injector with patient body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0069 Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2033 Spring-loaded one-shot injectors with or without automatic needle insertion multishot dosing syringes A61M5/31525, needle insertion only A61M5/3287
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3015 for injecting a dose of particles in form of powdered drug, e.g. mounted on a rupturable membrane and accelerated by a gaseous shock wave or supersonic gas flow cell injection devices C12M3/006
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/54 by implantation, e.g. hypodermic projectiles

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel drug delivery technology. More particularly the invention relates to a method of delivering at least one therapeutic compound or a formulation comprising the at least one therapeutic compound to a patient; to a throwaway or reusable device for delivering at least one therapeutic compound or a formulation comprising the at least one therapeutic compound to a patient in a manner as set out by the method; to a pioneer projectile for use in said method; to formulations for use in said method and to an injectate comprising a pioneer projectile and formulation. It also relates to a disposable component containing either a pioneer projectile or an injectate. The invention also relates to a throwaway or reusable device for delivering at least one therapeutic compound, or a formulation comprising the at least one therapeutic compound (hereafter drug) to a patient, and a method for administering a drug to a patient using said device. It also relates to a packaged drug for use with said device.

Claims

1. A water soluble, lipid soluble or otherwise biodegradable pioneer projectile, having a diameter of from about 1 mm to less than 3 mm, a height of from 1.5 mm to less than 10 mm and which is capable of penetrating the skin of a human or animal to thereby facilitate the injection of at least one following therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation in a contained state, comprises:

a first penetrating face which in use penetrates the human or animal'"'"'s skin; and

remote from the first face a second driven face which in the course of injection is the face upon which a driving force is exerted through the contained therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation;

wherein said pioneer projectile has an aspect ratio of width to height of less than a 1;

3; and

wherein the skin penetrating face is blunt or gently curved.

2. A water soluble, lipid soluble or otherwise biodegradable pioneer projectile, having a diameter of less than 3 mm and which is capable of penetrating the skin of a human or animal to thereby facilitate the injection of at least one following therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation in a contained state, comprises:

a first penetrating face which in use penetrates the human or animal'"'"'s skin;

remote from the first face a second driven face which in the course of injection is the face upon which a driving force is exerted through the contained therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation;

wherein said pioneer projectile has an aspect ratio of width to height of less than 1;

3; and

wherein the face for contacting the therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation in a contained state is flat.

3. A water soluble, lipid soluble or otherwise biodegradable pioneer projectile, having a diameter of less than 3 mm and which is capable of penetrating the skin or human or animal to thereby facilitate the injection of at least one following therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation in a contained state, comprises:

a first penetrating face which in use penetrates the human or animal'"'"'s skin;

remote from the first face a second driven face which in the course of injection is the face upon which a driving force is exerted through the contained therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation;

wherein said pioneer projectile has an aspect ratio of width to height of less than 1;

3; and

wherein the face for contacting the therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation in a contained state is concave or otherwise hollowed.

4. A water soluble, lipid soluble or otherwise biodegradable pioneer projectile, having a diameter of less than 3 mm and which is capable of penetrating the skin of a human or animal to thereby facilitate the injection of at least one following therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation in a contained state, comprises:

a first penetrating face which in use penetrates the human or animal'"'"'s skin;

remote from the first face a second driven face which in the course of injection is the face upon which a driving force is exerted through the contained therapeutic compound or therapeutic compound containing formulation;

wherein said pioneer projectile has an aspect ratio of width to height of less than 1;

3; and

wherein a barrier material is provided over at least the face for containing the therapeutic compound in a contained state.