Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device comprises needles or other means for piercing the skin of a patient to form pores in a predefined pattern; and carriers in the same pattern that may be loaded with a drug for delivery. Means are provided for applying the carriers to the pores to deliver the drug through the pores to a location beneath the surface of the skin. The carriers may remain outside the pores, be introduced into the pores after the needles have been removed, or be inserted alongside the needles while they are still in place.

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.

Abstract: A patch for sampling one or more analytes through the skin of a patient comprises an electrode layer for positioning adjacent to the skin of a patient; and means for actuating the electrode layer to induce the withdrawal of analytes through the skin by reverse iontophoresis. A first reservoir in the patch contains an electrically conducting medium such as a liquid electrolyte, which can be controllably delivered onto a surface of the electrode layer adjacent to the skin to increase the conductivity between the electrode layer and the skin. Means are provided for transporting the analytes to a location where they are to be analysed. The patch may comprise a second reservoir containing a drug for transdermal delivery to the patient. An actuator may stretch and/or compress the reservoirs to expel their contents. The actuator may comprise a generally planar mesh formed from a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A transdermal product delivery patch comprises a reservoir containing a product for delivery to a patient; means for affixing the patch to the skin of the patient; and manually operable means for actuating an extensor mechanism to exert pressure on the reservoir and thereby expel the product towards the skin. The patch may be supplied with the extensor mechanism held in a strained configuration and the manually operable means may be a restraint such as a peelable layer that can be removed to allow the extensor mechanism to move using stored energy towards a rest configuration. The extensor mechanism may be a ring of resilient material that is pre-stretched radially inwards so that, upon release, it stretches the reservoir radially outwards. The patch may be supplied with the extensor mechanism in a rest configuration and the manually operable means may deform it in a predefined manner into a strained configuration.

Abstract: A patch for sampling one or more analytes through the skin of a patient comprises an electrode layer for positioning adjacent to the skin of a patient; and means for actuating the electrode layer to induce the withdrawal of analytes through the skin by reverse iontophoresis. A first reservoir in the patch contains an electrically conducting medium such as a liquid electrolyte, which can be controllably delivered onto a surface of the electrode layer adjacent to the skin to increase the conductivity between the electrode layer and the skin. Means are provided for transporting the analytes to a location where they are to be analysed. The patch may comprise a second reservoir containing a drug for transdermal delivery to the patient. An actuator may stretch and/or compress the reservoirs to expel their contents. The actuator may comprise a generally planar mesh formed from a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A drug delivery device that delivers pharmacologically active substances transdermally using microneedles arranged on a belt mounted rotatably about a plurality of rollers, the microneedles having an associated drug reservoir mounted on the belt which is compressed when the needles and belt are brought into contact with the skin.

Abstract: A micelle formable from at least one nanotube in a process of self-assembly, the nanotube comprising an amphophilic nanotube (2, 8, 14) made from one or more species selected from the group of carbon, silicon, a noble metal, silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide. A part of the nanotube (2, 8, 14) is functionalised and a surfactant molecule or emulsifying agent is attached to the functionalised part. The nanotube (2, 8, 14) may have magnetic properties. A therapeutic agent may be incorporated in the micelle. The micelle may be coated to form a capsule (24). The capsule (24) can be introduced to the human or animal body for treatment of tumors or targeted drug delivery when a magnetic field or near-IR radiation is applied.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device comprises a reservoir layer, which consists of one or more chambers for containing a drug. A lower surface of the reservoir layer is bounded by a resilient membrane, which is perforated by pores through which the drug may be delivered from the chambers. Connected to the reservoir layer is an extensor means, which can be actuated by control means to deform the reservoir layer such that the chambers are compressed and the pores are enlarged, thereby forcing the drug from the chambers through the pores and into contact with the patient's skin. When the resilient membrane is adhered to the skin, the extension and relaxation of the device causes simultaneous stretching and relaxation of the skin, disrupting the barrier presented by the skin's surface and enhancing delivery of the drug.