Structures for transdermal drug delivery
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10076495-B2
Publication Date
2018-09-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A preparation for the transdermal delivery of a biologically active substance into the body of a patient comprises particles of a formulation comprising the active substance. The particles are irregular in size and shape and may be produced by a low cost manufacturing method such as grinding from a thin film. The particles are angular, i.e. they have sharp edges and corners that allow them to penetrate the outer layer of the skin when subjected to pressure from a roller or an array of blunt-tipped microstructures. Sucrose may be used as an excipient with the active substance to form suitably rigid and angular particles.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device for delivering a preparation into the body of a patient by pressing one or more projections having blunt tips against the surface of at least one of the skin and the cornea of the patient. Rigid, irregular in shape, and angular particles adhered to the blunt tips are made of a formulation that is soluble or biodegradable in the body. The pressure developed by the blunt tips on the particles against the surface results in penetration of the surface by the particles.
The blunt tips of the one or more projections do not penetrate the surface, while the particles penetrate to deliver the soluble or biodegradable formulation. The device uses projections configured to press the adhered particles into the skin or cornea such that the particles penetrate, whereas the blunt tips remain non-penetrating. Preferred structures include arrays of elongated microstructures and projection tips that are blunt and flat, supporting controlled contact with the surface.
Rigid particles are produced from a soluble or biodegradable drug formulation using a cast thin film aggregate that is dried and subjected to controlled grinding, optionally with sieving. Particle adhesion to the blunt tips is provided by electrostatic attraction, optionally supported by electrostatic charging means that apply an electrostatic charge to the preparation and/or the projections. The device can also include a patch carrying particles or a container and an applicator for storing and transferring the particles to the projection tips.
Claims Coverage
The partial claims provide one independent claim with multiple dependent refinements. The independent claim centers on a non-penetrating blunt-tip projection device that presses rigid angular soluble or biodegradable particles into the skin or cornea to achieve penetration by the particles.
Blunt-tipped projections with adhered rigid angular particles
A device for delivering a preparation comprising one or more projections having blunt tips and rigid, irregular in shape, and angular particles adhered to the blunt tips, the particles being of a formulation that is soluble or biodegradable in the body.
Particle penetration by pressure without tip penetration
The device is configured to press the blunt tips against the surface of at least one of the skin and the cornea so that the pressure developed by the blunt tips on the particles results in penetration of the surface by the particles, wherein the blunt tips do not penetrate the surface.
Electrostatic adhesion of particles to projection tips
The device is configured so that particles in a preparation are adhered to the blunt tips of the one or more projections via electrostatic attraction.
Electrostatic charge application means
The device includes means to apply an electrostatic charge to the preparation and/or to the projections.
Elongated microstructure projection array and tip shape refinements
The device includes projections forming an array of elongated microstructures and/or projections having flat tips.
Container and applicator configured to contact a stored preparation supply
The device includes a container holding a preparation and an applicator with projections configured to contact the preparation stored in the container.
Overall, the claim set covers delivering a soluble or biodegradable preparation using rigid irregular angular particles adhered to blunt-tipped projections that are pressed against skin or cornea to cause particle penetration while the blunt tips do not penetrate. Dependent refinements include projection geometries, particle adhesion by electrostatic attraction, means for applying electrostatic charge, and device structure using a container and applicator to contact a stored supply.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Transdermal delivery and delivery into a patient by penetration of the stratum corneum or corneal surface by the particles.
Delivery of drugs including ibuprofen and diclofenac.
Delivery of analgesics including lidocaine.
Delivery of triptans for migraine.
Delivery of vaccines, including delivery involving Langerhans cells.
Anti-itching agent delivery, including for burn dressings.
Interested in licensing this patent?