Abstract: A drug delivery device or patch-like delivery device which employs a spring force and an inclined surface to apply pressure on a fluid reservoir, thereby delivering medicament to a user's body. The slope of the inclined surface may be engineered to control the drug delivery rate. The device may be low profile and wearable, for example in the form of a patch. A visual indicator of the amount of medicament delivered or remaining may be incorporated, for example via a transparent window that shows the progression of an inclined surface as it presses on the reservoir. The device may incorporate mechanisms for automatic extension and retraction of a cannula at the beginning and end of drug delivery. Drug delivery rate may be limited with flow restrictors, and by using a two-reservoir system with a viscous liquid displacing a reservoir containing the medicament.

Abstract: A drug delivery device or patch-like delivery device which employs a spring force and an inclined surface to apply pressure on a fluid reservoir, thereby delivering medicament to a user's body. The slope of the inclined surface may be engineered to control the drug delivery rate. The device may be low profile and wearable, for example in the form of a patch. A visual indicator of the amount of medicament delivered or remaining may be incorporated, for example via a transparent window that shows the progression of an inclined surface as it presses on the reservoir. The device may incorporate mechanisms for automatic extension and retraction of a cannula at the beginning and end of drug delivery. Drug delivery rate may be limited with flow restrictors, and by using a two-reservoir system with a viscous liquid displacing a reservoir containing the medicament.

Abstract: A laminated sprinkler needle for introduction of liquids into an animal and extraction of fluids from an animal comprising a substrate, a micromachined photoresist layer, and a microporous layer is described. The structure is of simple construction and fabrication and provides much higher flow rates than standard hollow cannula.

Abstract: A device includes a plurality of microneedles for abrading the stratum corneum of the skin to form a plurality of grooves in the tissue having a controlled depth and width. The microneedles have a length of about 5-250 microns and generally about 5-200 microns. The device is rubbed over the skin to prepare an abraded site after which a transdermal delivery or sampling device is applied to the abraded delivery site. The abrasion increases the permeability of the skin and the rate of delivery and extraction of a substance without pain or irritation to the patient.

Abstract: A device and method for accurate delivery of a liquid is described. The device comprises a flow channel through which the liquid flows. During manufacture or at some other point prior to the delivery of the liquid, the flow channel is characterized in terms of one or more properties of flow of a liquid through the channel. This characterization is stored in such a way that the flow channel characterization is available to the liquid delivery device at time of use. At time of use, the liquid delivery system reads the stored flow channel characterization and uses the stored flow channel characterization for safe and accurate delivery of the liquid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the flow of a liquid along a conduit are disclosed. A heat source applies thermal energy to a portion of a liquid flowing along a conduit thereby elevating its temperature. A light source generates a first beam that passes through the liquid in the conduit downstream from the position of application of the thermal energy and an optical detector receives this beam in combination with a second beam that is not passed through the liquid in the conduit and measures a change in intensity of a combined beam. The time required for the heated portion of the liquid to move from the point of application of thermal energy to the point at which the beam passes through the liquid is measured. This measured time, along with the distance of separation of the heat source and the optical sensing means permits calculation of the velocity of the liquid in the conduit.

Abstract: A device, preferably a micro-device, is molded from a plastic material by injection molding, compression molding or embossing. A microabrader can be molded having microneedles for abrading the stratum corneum of the skin to form an abraded site in the tissue for enhancing drug delivery. The micro-device is molded using a mold assembly having a silicon molding surface. The silicon molding surface can include a recess corresponding to the desired shape and length of the microneedles. The silicon molding surface enables micron and submicron size features to be molded from polymeric materials without the polymeric material adhering to the mold surface. Micro-devices having molded features having micron and submicron dimensions can be rapidly produced without the use of a release agent.

Abstract: A compensating drug delivery system for delivery of medicaments to animals is described. A drug-containing reservoir is connected to a needle array through a flow tube. Medicament delivery to the animal through this flow tube is regulated by the combined action of a metering means and a valving means, and inaccuracies in delivery rate are compensated. The metering means and the valving means are microprocessor controlled to insure that the medication administered is according to a pre-established protocol.

Abstract: The present invention claims an apparatus for transdermal delivery of medicaments, with novel electrode systems, which avoids burns caused by changes in pH or excessive current applied at the sight of delivery, which is low in cost and easy to manufacture. In the present invention, preferably, the anode of the electrode system is predominantly formed from a low-cost bulk base metal which includes a coating of a precious metal thereon. The cathode of the electrode system is preferably formed from an chemically inert material which is a poor electron condutor and is coated on a good electron conductive material which has poor chemical stability. The electrode system of the present invention is highly efficient, easy to manufacture and cost-effective.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive method and apparatus for pre selecting the drug delivery profile of a drug by controlling the concentration of ions added to or present in the reservoir containing the drug to be delivered, which ions would compete with the drug ions for the current.

Abstract: A device, preferably a micro-device, is molded from a plastic material by injection molding, compression molding or embossing. A microabrader can be molded having microneedles for abrading the stratum corneum of the skin to form an abraded site in the tissue for enhancing drug delivery. The micro-device is molded using a mold assembly having a silicon molding surface. The silicon molding surface can include a recess corresponding to the desired shape and length of the microneedles. The silicon molding surface enables micron and submicron size features to be molded from polymeric materials without the polymeric material adhering to the mold surface. Micro-devices having molded features having micron and submicron dimensions can be rapidly produced without the use of a release agent.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery device of the present invention includes a power source and an electrode assembly containing at least two electrodes, in electrical contact with a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The present invention also includes at least three electrodes in a three electrode embodiment, with the third electrode in electrical contact with a third reservoir. In either embodiment, the first reservoir and the second reservoir contain an active agent to be delivered to an applied area of a patient. The present invention also includes in its two electrode embodiment a switch for reversing the flow of current or in its three electrode embodiment a switch for switching the flow of current, so as to reduce sensation. The devices also include a timer for controlling the amount of time the electrical current flows in each direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing proteins or peptides for iontophoretic delivery by modifying said proteins or peptides, by hydrophobic bonding of acharged molecule to a hydrophobic region of the protein or peptide, to have an isoelectric point of less than about 4.0 or greater than about 7.3 with an electrostatic charge of at least plus or minus 1 over the pH range of about 4.0 to about 7.3. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for delivery of a protein or peptide having an isoelectric point of less than about 4.0 or greater than about 7.3 with an electrostatic charge of at least plus or minus 1 over the pH range of about 4.0 to about 7.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for the iontophoretic delivery of a therapeutic dose range of bisphosphonate to be delivered to a patient over a period of lime to prevent the onset for advancement of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases for a selected period of time.

Abstract: A method for preventing the onset or advancement of osteoporosis or other metabolic bone disorders in a patient by iontophoretically administering to the patient an effective amount of a bisphosphonate which would be effective for preventing the onset or advancement of osteoporosis or other bone disorders and wherein the effective amount of bisphosphonate is delivered over a period of from about four (4) hours to about forty-eight (48) hours, at intervals of from about once a week to about twice a year and wherein the effective amount of bisphosphonate also contains an agent capable of chelating calcium.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery device of the present invention includes a power source and an electrode assembly in electrical contact with at least three reservoirs, with at least two of the reservoirs containing an active formulation to be delivered to an applied area of a patient, with a switch for switching the flow of current from between the first electrode and the third electrode and between the second electrode and the first electrode so as to reduce sensation. The device also includes a timer for controlling the amount of time the electrical current flows between a pair of electrodes. In the preferred embodiment, the active formulation includes a local anesthetic such as Lidocaine and a vasoconstrictor such as Epinephrine. In this way, the device is suitable for use to deliver the local anesthetic to the applied area approximate the first reservoir for a first period of time and to deliver the local anesthetic to the applied area approximate the second reservoir during a second period of time.

Abstract: The invention discloses peptides and proteins for iontophoretic delivery. Specifically disclosed are methods for iontophoretic delivery of assemblages of amino acids which comprises modifying said assemblages of amino acids to an isoelectric point less than about 4.0 or greater than about 7.3 with an electrostatic charge of plus or minus 1 and patches with assemblages of amino acids with isoelectric points less than about 4.0 or greater than about 7.3 with an electrostatic charge of plus or minus 1.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and compositions for enhanced skin concentration of iontophoretic delivered active agents. The compositions are pharmaceutically acceptable compositions for iontophoretic delivery which comprise a skin concentration enhancing amount of a vasoconstrictor and active agent. Methods comprise adding a skin concentration enhancing amount of a vasoconstrictor to an active agent and delivering by iontophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an iontophoretic drug delivery device having electrode renewing features includes a housing having a first electrode, a second electrode, a circuit for providing electrical communication between the first and second electrodes. The circuit is capable of engaging a source of current. Control means is provided for effecting the amount of current passing between the electrodes. A removable electrolyte reservoir is capable of holding electrolyte and removably engaging the housing so that one of the electrodes can contact electrolyte contained within the reservoir. A removable active agent reservoir is capable of holding an active agent for iontophoretic delivery. The active agent reservoir is capable of removably engaging the housing so that the active agent contacts one of the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and compositions for enhanced iontophoretic delivery of active agents. The compositions are pharmaceutically acceptable compositions for iontophoretic delivery comprising a delivery enhancing amount of a vasodilator and active agent. Methods comprise adding a delivery enhancing amount of a vasodilator to an active agent and delivering by iontophoresis.