Abstract: The present invention provides a system for transdermal delivery of dried or lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions and methods using thereof. The system comprises an apparatus for facilitating transdermal delivery of an agent that generates hydrophilic micro-channels, and a patch comprising a therapeutically active agent. The present invention is useful for transdermal delivery of hydrophilic agents, particularly of high molecular weight proteins.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing a wrinkle on a skin surface (42). The method includes identifying a person having a skin surface (42) with a wrinkle and in response to identifying the person, positioning at respective sites on the skin surface (42) an array (44) of electrodes (60) coupled to an energy source (46). While the electrodes (60) are at the respective sites: during a first time period, applying energy from the energy source (46) to drive the electrodes (60) to apply radio frequency (RF) current at a first voltage, capable of ablating an epidermal layer of the skin; and during a second time period, applying energy from the energy source (46) to drive the electrodes (60) to apply current at a second voltage, lower than the first voltage. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system for intradermal or transdermal delivery of oligonucleotides or polynucleotides and methods of use thereof employ an apparatus that generates micro-channels in the skin of a subject in conjunction with a pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide, wherein the oligonucleotide or polynucleotide can be delivered into the organism through the micro-channels. The system and methods achieve expression of target proteins encoded by the polynucleotides, and hence are useful in immunization and gene therapy.

Abstract: An intradermal or transdermal delivery system for topical administration of cosmetic agents, particularly water-soluble, poorly water-soluble, or water-insoluble cosmetic agents, in conjunction with an apparatus that generates micro-channels in the skin of a subject, is useful in treating skin conditions such as cellulite, hyper-pigmentation, skin aging, and acne.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for application to skin of a subject is provided. The apparatus includes a board (30) having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including a plurality of ablation electrodes (41), which are adapted to be applied to the skin, and the second surface including one or more contact pads (32), each one of the contact pads electrically coupled to at least one of the ablation electrodes. The apparatus further includes one or more driving electrodes (28). An energy applicator (e.g., motor 22), coupled to the driving electrodes, is adapted to pass the driving electrodes over the contact pads. A power source (e.g., power unit 102) is adapted to drive a current from the driving electrodes, to the contact pads, and to the ablation electrodes. The current is capable of ablating at least a portion of stratum corneum of the skin in a vicinity of the ablation electrodes, so as to facilitate transdermal transport of a substance.

Abstract: A transdermal patch formulation of a viscous liquid that includes an active agent of incretin or incretin mimetic peptide, a stabilizer, a buffer, a water soluble thickening agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also, a patch adapted for transdermal delivery of the active agent and having a drug reservoir compartment of the transdermal patch formulation and a system for facilitating transdermal delivery of the active agent through the skin of a subject. The system includes the patch and an apparatus capable of generating a plurality of micro-channels in an area on the subject's skin. The patch and apparatus are used in methods of treatment for reducing blood glucose level, lowering plasma glucagon levels, reducing food intake, or reducing gastric motility in a subject in need of the same by extending the release of the incretin or incretin mimetic peptide in the subject.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a transdermal patch formulation comprising hGH, at least one sugar, one amino acid or polyol, and a buffer, wherein the buffer maintains the pH of the formulation in the range of about 5 to about 9 and the formulation does not contain both glycine and mannitol.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including one or more drug patches (20) and a surface (22) configured to hold the one or more drug patches. A housing (24) is shaped to define one or more gas inflow openings (30) that are configured to facilitate drying of the patches by directing a flow of a gas toward the patches, a midline of the flow being at an angle of less than 20 degrees from a normal to the surface. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for facilitating delivery of a substance through skin of a subject. The apparatus includes a handle and a cartridge, removably coupled to the handle. The cartridge includes one or more electrodes and a patch comprising the substance, the electrodes adapted to be applied to a region of the skin, and the patch adapted to be applied to at least a portion of the region of the skin by removal of the electrodes therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for transdermal delivery of dried or lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions and methods using thereof. The system comprises an apparatus for facilitating transdermal delivery of a peptide or polypeptide that generates hydrophilic micro-channels, and a patch comprising dried therapeutically peptide or polypeptide. Particularly, the system of the present invention facilitates transdermal delivery of parathyroid hormone useful for preventing or treating bone disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical agents. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for transdermal delivery by generating micro-channels on the skin of a subject and delivering iontophoretically a pharmaceutical agent through the micro-channels. The method provides synergistic transdermal delivery of such pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a transdermal drug delivery patch product (10, 100), which includes a patch (20, 120), which includes a drug; and protective packaging, adapted to store the patch (20, 120), and to allow the drug to dry while the patch (20, 120) is stored in the protective packaging. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transdermal delivery system for hydrophilic anti-emetic agents and methods of using thereof. The system includes an anti-emetic hydrophilic adhesive composition of a hydrophilic polymer and hydrophilic anti-emetic agent, a patch containing at least one hydrophilic layer of the composition, and an apparatus that generates hydrophilic micro-channels in skin of a subject using the patch or composition. The system preferably avoids the use of penetration enhancers and is particularly useful for transdermal delivery of hydrophilic anti-emetic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for transdermal delivery of water insoluble drugs and methods using the same. The system includes a pharmaceutical composition of a water insoluble drug and a carrier molecule that enhances the solubility of the drug in aqueous solution, a medical patch containing the same and an apparatus that generates hydrophilic micro-channels in an area of skin of a subject using the composition or patch. The system preferably avoids the use of penetration enhancers and is particularly useful for transdermal delivery of steroids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for transdermal delivery of dried or lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions and methods using thereof. The system comprises an apparatus for facilitating transdermal delivery of an agent that generates hydrophilic micro-channels, and a patch comprising a therapeutically active agent. The present invention is useful for transdermal delivery of hydrophilic agents, particularly of high molecular weight proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for intradermal or transdermal delivery of oligonucleotides or polynucleotides and to methods of use thereof. Particularly, the present invention relates to a system comprising an apparatus that generates micro-channels in the skin of a subject in conjunction with a pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide, wherein the oligonucleotide or polynucleotide can be delivered into the organism through the micro-channels. The system and methods of the present invention achieve expression of target proteins encoded by the polynucleotides, and hence are useful in immunization and gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for transdermal delivery of dried or lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions and methods using thereof. The system comprises an apparatus for facilitating transdermal delivery of an agent that generates hydrophilic micro-channels, and a patch comprising a therapeutically active agent. The present invention is useful for transdermal delivery of hydrophilic agents, particularly of high molecular weight proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for transdermal delivery of dried or lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions and methods using thereof. The system comprises an apparatus for facilitating transdermal delivery of an agent that generates hydrophilic micro-channels, and a patch comprising a therapeutically active agent. The present invention is useful for transdermal delivery of hydrophilic agents, particularly of high molecular weight proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery system for transdermal immunization. More particularly, the invention relates to a delivery system for effective topical administration of antigens using an apparatus that generates micro-channels in the skin of a subject. The delivery system is useful for immunization against bacterial, viral, and fungal antigens as well as for treating tumors and allergies.

Abstract: A transdermal system for sustained delivery of high molecular weight hydrophilic drugs, especially peptide-, polypeptide- or protein-drugs, and methods of use thereof, are provided. The system includes an apparatus that generates micro-channels in the skin of a subject in combination with a transdermal patch comprising at least one drug reservoir layer comprising a polymeric matrix and a therapeutic or immunogenic peptide, polypeptide, or protein. The system provides sustained delivery of therapeutic or immunogenic agents, thereby achieving sustained therapeutic blood concentrations of these agents.