Abstract: A method of calibrating an analyte sensor in vivo, by providing a first predetermined stimulus to the sensor when the sensor is applied to a subject to produce a first sensor signal, measuring the first sensor signal, and determining a calibration function based on the first measured sensor signal resulting from the predetermined stimulus. The calibration function, when applied to further signals received from the sensor, can be used to provide a calibrated output.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for delivering a pharmaceutically active compound or cosmetic substance to a subject comprises a flexible substrate sheet attached to an electronic controller. The controller is provided with a pair of electrical contacts on the underside thereof and is adhered to the sheet by means of a pair of strips of electrically conductive adhesive. The underside of the sheet is printed in two halves with electrically conductive ink to provide a pair of electrodes separated by an insulating barrier. A protuberance extends from each electrode and is folded onto the top of the sheet such that the contacts of the controller are adhered in electrical connection with the protuberances and thus also with the electrodes. The use of an adhesive to connect a controller in electrical communication with the electrodes enables an extremely simple construction of delivery device to be achieved.

Abstract: A syringe (10) comprises a barrel (11) containing an internal cylindrical body (12) containing a liquid (14) and communicating with a delivery needle (15). The needle (15) is covered before use by a removable sheath (16), and after the sheath (16) is removed, the needle (15) is concealed by a displaceable sleeve (20). In use the sleeve (20) is pressed against the skin by applying pressure while holding the barrel (11). The sleeve (20) is thereby retracted into the barrel (11) allowing the needle (15) to penetrate the skin. The movement of the sleeve (20) also activates a gas generator (17) which expels the liquid (14) from the needle (15). When delivery is complete and the syringe (10) is taken from the skin, a coil spring (22) moves the sleeve (20) back to the starting position again concealing the needle (15). The coil spring (22) is torsionally biased before use and causes a rotational movement of the sleeve (20) relative to the barrel (11) when the sleeve (20) moves into and out of the barrel (11).

Abstract: An improved electrode and iontophoretic device and method where the electrode exhibits varied resistance. The electrode is made of a conductive material and applied to a flexible substrate. The variation in resistance can be achieved by varying the thickness of the electrode across its length or by varying the conductivity of the material across the area of the electrode or a combination of both. A pair of such electrodes may be used with a power source in electrical relation thereto and applied over a layer of agent to the skin to deliver the agent into the skin iontophoretically. The pair of electrodes may be shaped so as to cover a portion of the face, hands, feet or other body parts to iontophoretically apply particular agents to those areas.

Abstract: An improved drug delivery kit and method of packaging the same. The method includes providing a tray having first and second recesses for receiving a drug delivery device and drug cartridge respectively, and an opening in the tray within the second recess, placing the drug delivery device in the first recess, covering the tray with a sealable material, sealing the material to the tray so as to create a seal around the first and second recesses, so as to isolate the first recess from the second recess, sterilising the tray, and inserting the drug cartridge through the opening and into second recess. The opening is sized such that insertion of the drug cartridge through the opening and into the second recess elastically stresses the tray and removal of the drug cartridge from the opening irreversibly deforms the tray, thereby creating a tamper-proof drug delivery kit.

Abstract: An intradermal drug delivery device comprises a housing (301a, 301b) having a drug reservoir (312) therewithin and a gas generation chamber (313) separated from the reservoir (312) by a displaceable membrane (311). A microprocessor-controlled electrolytic cell (316a, 316b, 319) provides gas to expand the gas generation chamber (313) and thereby contract the reservoir (312). A hollow needle (310), communicating at an inner end thereof with the reservoir (312), extends from a lower surface (308) of the housing (301) such that contraction of the reservoir (312) forces drug to escape therefrom via the needle (310). The device permits delivery of drugs of relatively large molecular weights at slow controllable rates. A displaceable protective cover (303) is mounted in means (307) allowing movement of the cover (303) between extended and retracted positions (305, 306). The cover (303) has an adhesive lower surface (309) for attachment to the skin of a subject.

Abstract: An electrically/battery powered transdermal drug applicator comprising a flexible non-conductive 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.

Abstract: An improved transdermal drug applicator for application to a living body for the migration of at least one medicament through the skin into the blood stream embodying at least two electrode elements forming the applicator and with the electrodes separated from each other by insulating means. A reservoir means, in at least one of said electrode elements of said applicator, containing said medicament; and a circuit, including a power source, for supplying electric power to said electrodes and such reservoir means. Suitable cover means partially enclosed at least said reservoir means, and adhesive means affixes the applicator to the skin, so as to complete an electrical circuit through the skin when the applicator is affixed thereto, thus creating at least one physico/chemical mass transfer phenomenon which causes said medicament to migrate through the skin.

Abstract: Oral drug delivery device having a housing with walls of water permeable material and having at least two chambers separated by a displaceable membrane. The first chamber receives drug and has an orifice through which the drug is expelled under pressure. The second chamber contains at least one of two spaced apart electrodes forming part of an electric circuit which is closed by the ingress of an aqueous ionic solution into the second chamber. When current flows through the circuit, gas is generated and acts on the displaceable membrane to compress the first chamber and expel the active ingredient through the orifice for progressive delivery to the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A liquid delivery pumping device for the delivery of liquids enterally or parenterally comprises a housing including a gas generating chamber, wherein a gas is generated intermittently when two reactants, such as the components of an effervescent couple, are caused to react, a pumping chamber for a reciprocating pumping unit operable by the gas and to which chamber the gas is conveyed once generated, the pumping unit forming part of a mechanism which receives and regulates the liquid to be delivered in response to the reciprocation of the pumping unit, and means for controlling the gas pressure within the pumping chamber to enable controlled reciprocation of the pumping unit. The device provides precisely controlled rates of liquid delivery to a patient irrespective of the viscosity of the liquid to be delivered.

Abstract: A liquid drug delivery device is adapted to be adhered to the skin of a subject by a base member defining a skin-contacting surface having an adhesive coating. A columnar cartridge serves as reservoir for the drug and is incorporated in a housing which is connected to the base member such that in use the longitudinal axis of the cartridge is disposed substantially parallel to the skin-contacting surface. A delivery needle communicating in use with the interior of the cartridge penetrates the skin of the subject when the housing snaps downward relative to the base member. This action also causes the actuation of a citric acid/sodium bicarbonate gas generator which generates a gas to move a piston within the cartridge, compressing the drug compartment. This compression causes a stopper to be penetrated by a conduit in communication with the delivery needle, allowing the drug to be ejected from the compartment through the needle and into the subcutaneous tissue of the subject.

Abstract: An intradermal drug delivery device for delivering a liquid drug to a subject via the subject's skin includes a housing having a lower surface provided with an adhesive coating for adhering the housing to the subject's skin. An expansible-contractible chamber within the housing defines a reservoir which is expanded upon being filled with the drug and contracted to dispense the drug. A hollow needle extends through the lower surface of the housing and has an inner end which communicates with the reservoir and an outer end which projects outwardly of the housing a short distance to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis of the subject's skin when the housing is adhered thereto. The device permits delivery of drugs of relatively large molecular size and at slow rates which can be precisely controlled.

Abstract: A liquid delivery device comprising a housing having a lower surface for application to the skin of a subject and having a reservoir and a gas generation chamber therein separated by a displaceable membrane. Gas generated by an electrolytic cell under the control of a microprocessor causes the gas generation chamber to expand and the reservoir to contract, thereby discharging a liquid drug, such as insulin, from the reservoir via a hollow delivery needle extending from the lower surface. The delivery needle and a sensor needle both extend from the lower surface a sufficient distance so as to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis when the housing is pressed against the skin. The sensor needle has an enzymatic coating for the detection of an analyte, such as glucose in the subject's plasma. The delivery needle is made of platinum-iridium, and a current passes between the needles and a potentiostat circuit according to the amount of glucose detected.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device has a reservoir within a housing and means for driving medicament from the reservoir. The device is provided with a filling mechanism upon which a medicament container sealed by a penetrable stopper is mounted. The mechanism comprises an internal bore which accommodates an internal rod from which a needle projects. Needle is hollow and is in communication with the reservoir. In order to fill the reservoir, the container is pressed into the bore, causing the needle to pierce the stopper, the stopper abutting against the rod and acting as a piston to drive medicament from the container as the container is pushed into the bore and moves relative to the stopper. Thus, the reservoir can be filled with the sterile medicament which is stable when stored in the container, and the filling is easily accomplished without the use of a syringe. A further advantageous feature is provided by a delivery needle which is mounted on the periphery of the lower surface of the housing.

Abstract: A liquid delivery device comprising a housing having a lower surface for application to the skin of a subject and having a reservoir and a gas generation chamber therein separated by a displaceable membrane. Gas generated by an electrolytic cell under the control of a microprocessor causes the gas generation chamber to expand and the reservoir to contract, thereby discharging a liquid drug, such as insulin, from the reservoir via a hollow delivery needle extending from the lower surface. The delivery needle and a sensor needle both extend from the lower surface a sufficient distance so as to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis when the housing is pressed against the skin. The sensor needle has an enzymatic coating for the detection of an analyte, such as glucose in the subject's plasma. The delivery needle is made of platinum-iridium, and a current passes between the needles and a potentiostat circuit according to the amount of glucose detected.

Abstract: A liquid delivery device comprising a housing having a lower surface for application to the skin of a subject and having a reservoir and a gas generation chamber therein separated by a displaceable membrane. Gas generated by an electrolytic cell under the control of a microprocessor causes the gas generation chamber to expand and the reservoir to contract, thereby discharging a liquid drug, such as insulin, from the reservoir via a hollow delivery needle extending from the lower surface. The delivery needle and a sensor needle both extend from the lower surface a sufficient distance so as to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis when the housing is pressed against the skin. The sensor needle has an enzymatic coating for the detection of an analyte, such as glucose in the subject's plasma. The delivery needle is made of platinum-iridium, and a current passes between the needles and a potentiostat circuit according to the amount of glucose detected.

Abstract: A system for converting a medicament from a storage form to an administrable form comprises an evacuted medicament container, a container for a liquid, and means in the form of a hollow needle for establishing communication between said containers and thereby causing liquid to be drawn by suction from the liquid container to the medicament container. By establishing communication between an evacuated container and an unevacuated container, there is an instant, reliable and controlled addition of liquid to the medicament from the liquid container. The system has particular application to lyophilised medicaments.