Abstract: A minimally invasive transdermal nucleic acid sampling method comprises piercing through the outermost layer of the skin and into the underlying epidermis with a plurality of microprojections. Living skin cells in the underlying epidermis are disrupted, causing them to release their contents including their nucleic acids (i.e., DNA, RNA, fragments thereof or other polynucleic acid material found in the nucleii and/or mitochondria of cells). The nucleic acid is collected on the surfaces of the microprojections and/or in a separate nucleic acid collection reservoir. The collected nucleic acid is then analyzed using standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Optionally a suction device applies a partial vacuum through openings in the microprojection member to the microcuts in the skin for enhanced efflux of intracellular and extracellular (i.e., body) fluids containing the nucleic acid.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for percutaneous transdermal delivery of a biologically active agent by applying a microprojection array to the skin of a person or animal with a system that has a composite applicator tip and/or a composite microprojection array system.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for percutaneous transdermal delivery of a biologically active agent. The coating formulation containing the biologically active agent and a vasoconstrictor is applied to the skin piercing elements using known coating techniques and then dried. The device is applied to the skin of a living animal, causing the microprojections to pierce the stratum corneum and to deliver an effective dose of the biologically active agent and vasoconstrictor to the animal.

Abstract: A minimally invasive transdermal nucleic acid sampling method comprises piercing through the outermost layer of the skin and into the underlying epidermis with a plurality of microprojections. Living skin cells in the underlying epidermis are disrupted, causing them to release their contents including their nucleic acids (i.e., DNA, RNA, fragments thereof or other polynucleic acid material found in the nucleii and/or mitochondria of cells). The nucleic acid is collected on the surfaces of the microprojections and/or in a separate nucleic acid collection reservoir. The collected nucleic acid is then analyzed using standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Optionally a suction device applies a partial vacuum through openings in the microprojection member to the microcuts in the skin for enhanced efflux of intracellular and extracellular (i.e., body) fluids containing the nucleic acid.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for percutaneous transdermal delivery of a immunologically active agent. The agent is mixed with appropriate surfactants and dissolved in water to form an aqueous coating solution having the appropriate concentration for coating extremely tiny skin piercing elements. The coating solution is applied to the skin piercing elements using known coating techniques and then dried. The device is applied to the skin of a living animal, causing the microprotrusions to pierce the stratum corneum and deliver a immunologically effective dose of the immunologically active agent to the animal.

Abstract: A minimally invasive transdermal nucleic acid sampling method comprises piercing through the outermost layer of the skin and into the underlying epidermis with a plurality of microprojections. Living skin cells in the underlying epidermis are disrupted, causing them to release their contents including their nucleic acids (i.e., DNA, RNA, fragments thereof or other polynucleic acid material found in the nucleii and/or mitochondria of cells). The nucleic acid is collected on the surfaces of the microprojections and/or in a separate nucleic acid collection reservoir. The collected nucleic acid is then analyzed using standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Optionally a suction device applies a partial vacuum through openings in the microprojection member to the microcuts in the skin for enhanced efflux of intracellular and extracellular (i.e., body) fluids containing the nucleic acid.

Abstract: Skin patches (20) having a microprojection array (10), a reservoir (18) containing an antigenic agent and an immune response augmenting adjuvant, and methods of using same to vaccinate animals (e.g., humans) is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the microprojection arrays (10) are composed of a photoetched and micro-punched titanium foil (14). The microprojections (12) are coated with a liquid formulation containing a vaccine antigen and an adjuvant such as glucosaminyl muramyl dipeptide, dried, and applied to skin of the animal to be vaccinated using an impact applicator. The microprojections (12) create superficial pathways through the stratum corneum to facilitate permeation of antigenic agent and adjuvant. Antigen dose and depth of penetration can be controlled. This technology has broad applicability for a wide variety of therapeutic vaccines to improve efficacy, and convenience of use.

Abstract: A method and device are described for applying a microprotrusion member (44) including a plurality of microprotrusions (90) to the stratum corneum with impact. The method and device are used to improve transport of an agent across the skin for agent delivery or sampling. The applicator (10, 60, 80) causes the microprotrusion member (44) to impact the stratum corneum with a certain amount of impact determined to effectively pierce the skin with the microprotrusions (90). The preferred applicator (10, 60, 80) impacts the stratum corneum with the microprotrusion member (44) with an impact of at least 0.05 joules per cm2 of the microprotrusion member (44) in 10 msec or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for inhibiting a decrease in the transdermal flux of an agent that is being transdermally delivered or sampled over a prolonged period of time wherein the delivery or sampling involves disrupting at least the stratum corneum layer of the skin to form pathways through which the agent passes. The desired result is achieved by co-delivering or co-sampling the agent with an amount of at least one anti-healing agent wherein the amount of the anti-healing agent is effective in inhibiting a decrease in the agent transdermal flux compared to when the delivery or sampling of the agent is done under substantially identical conditions except in the absence of the anti-healing agent(s).

Abstract: A device and method are provided for reducing or preventing skin sensitization in electrotransport drug delivery. The method involves co-administration of a countersensitizing agent, comprising cis-urocanic acid or an analog thereof, with the drug delivered via electrotransport. Novel drug reservoirs and electrotransport drug delivery systems, formulated with a countersensitizing agent as described herein, are provided as well.