Alza Corporation

Wei-Qi Lin

Michel J N Cormier

Peter E Daddona

Felix T Theeuwes

J Richard Gyory

Armand P Neukermans

Joseph Creagan Trautman

Mahmoud Ameri

Yuh-Fun Maa

Wendy A Young

Wai-Loong Lim

Andrew I Poutiatine

Avtar S Nat

Hyunok Lynn Kim

Kofi Nyam

Kellee Eng

Gregory T Fieldson

Sara L Sendelbeck

Bruce P Edwards

The invention provides for a formulation for coating one or more microprojections which reduces or minimizes the loss of counterions from the coating in order to achieve a pH-stabilized formulation.

Formulations for coated microprojections containing non-volatile counterions

A device () and method are provided for percutaneous transdermal delivery of a potent pharmacologically active agent. The agent is dissolved in water to form an aqueous coating solution having an appropriate viscosity 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 (e.g., a human), causing the microprotrusions () to pierce the stratum corneum and deliver a therapeutically effect dose of the agent to the animal.

Transdermal drug delivery devices having coated microprotrusions

A device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions involves pre-stretching the skin to enhance pathway formation when the microprotrusions are pressed into the skin. An expandable device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface so that when the device is expanded the skin is stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to 2 megapascals. The device has a plurality of microprotrusions which penetrate the skin while the skin is being stretched by the expanded device. Another stretching device employs suction for skin stretching.

Device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions

A transdermal agent sampling device is provided. The sampling device is comprised of a microblade array and a device for applying a partial vacuum. The microblade array comprises a sheet having a plurality of microblades for piercing the skin to a very shallow depth (i.e., 25 &mgr;m to 400 &mgr;m) to create microslits in the outermost stratum corneum layer of the skin. The partial vacuum applying device applies a partial vacuum in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.8 atm, and preferably about 0.3 to about 0.7 atm, for sampling a body analyte such as glucose in interstitial fluid. The partial vacuum is applied for a period of about 2 to about 30 seconds, and preferably about 5 to about 15 seconds. The interstial fluid is analyzed for body analyte (e.g., glucose) content or concentration.

Device and method for enhancing transdermal flux of agents being sampled

An agent detecting device comprising a plate (6) having a plurality of microprotrusions (4) for piercing the skin of a patient. Each of the microprotrusions (4) having an electrode (14, 16 and 18) thereon for detecting the presence of an agent in the patient's interstitial fluid.

Minimally invasive detecting device

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Wei-Qi Lin