Drug delivery device

Abstract

A novel device and method for intradermal delivery of an active agent is provided. The device comprises a housing which contains a reservoir chamber. A flexible reservoir containing the active agent is placed in the chamber. Upon pressure on an actuator the active agents is delivered via a hollow needle to the skin.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to drug delivery devices and methods of delivering a drug intradermally. In particular, the present invention relates to intradermal delivery of a liquid drug. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] There has long been a desire to deliver drugs intradermally. The skin comprises two layers, the outer or upper surface called the epidermis, and the internal surface referred to as the dermis. The epidermis does not contain any blood vessels and it is dependent on the underlying dermis for nutrient delivery and waste disposal via diffusion. The inner layer, the dermis, is composed of two layers, the more superficial papillary dermis and the deeper reticular dermis. The papillary dermis is thinner and consists primarily of loose connective tissue containing small capillaries, elastic fibers, reticular fibers and some collagen. The deeper reticular dermis consists of a thicker connective tissue containing larger blood vessels, interlaced ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Many people consider an injection (at best) unpleasant and (at worst) a painful encounter, no matter how well the nurse or doctor administers the shot This is because most shots are given subcutaneously or intramuscularly, reaching deep enough into the skin to hit nerves. Part of the skin's job is to sense danger in the environment through nerve cells, and it is richly endowed with these cells—a single square inch of skin contains approximately 1,300 nerve endings. Since most injections are given subcutaneously or intramuscularly, thereby delivering drugs to be absorbed into the blood vessels, the needle generally strikes nerves and causes pain along the way. The device of the present invention is based on a unique technology that allows a liquid pharmaceutical formulation to be delivered into the skin of the patients through a fine needle without the significant pain experienced by regular injection needles. The drug is injected into the layers of the skin, avoiding the pinching of the nerves. This reduces pain significantly or eliminates it totally in many cases thus improving the acceptance and compliance to treat many diseases like diabetes.

Problems solved by technology

Many people consider an injection (at best) unpleasant and (at worst) a painful encounter, no matter how well the nurse or doctor administers the shot This is because most shots are given subcutaneously or intramuscularly, reaching deep enough into the skin to hit nerves.

Since most injections are given subcutaneously or intramuscularly, thereby delivering drugs to be absorbed into the blood vessels, the needle generally strikes nerves and causes pain along the way.

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