Transdermal Delivery Apparatus and Method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for applying a beneficial agent to the skin is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including first and second chemical reactants, each being compatible with the skin. The first and second chemical reactants react with one another to generate a beneficial agent and enhance the permeability of the skin (e.g., by generating heat). The beneficial agent may then be applied to the skin while the permeability of the skin is enhanced. In selected embodiments, the first chemical reactant includes one or more metals, or alloys thereof, that are compatible (i.e., not harmful) with the skin. Similarly, in selected embodiments, the second chemical reactant may include water. In certain embodiments, the beneficial agent generated by the first and second chemical reactants includes an antioxidant such as hydrogen.

1 . A method for applying a beneficial agent to the skin, the method comprising:
 providing first and second chemical reactants, each being compatible with the skin;   reacting the first and second chemical reactants to enhance the permeability of the skin and generate a first beneficial agent; and   applying the first beneficial agent to the skin while enhancing the permeability of the skin.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first chemical reactant comprises at least one metal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one metal comprises at least one of zinc, magnesium, aluminum, iron, and calcium. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second chemical reactant is water. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first beneficial agent is an antioxidant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antioxidant is hydrogen. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a second beneficial agent to the skin while enhancing the permeability of the skin. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second beneficial agent comprises at least one beneficial agent selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, analgesics, anesthetics, anti-arthritis drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-migraine drugs, cardiovascular medications, pain-killers, anti-smoking drugs, natural or synthetic hormones, anti-hypertension agents, anti-depressants, antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, antiemetics, anti-infectants, contraceptives, diabetes drugs, steroids, anti-allergy agents, anti-migraine agents, dieting agents, vitamins, minerals, and herbs. 
     
     
         9 . A method for applying a beneficial agent to the skin, the method comprising:
 providing a first beneficial agent in physical contact with a first chemical reactant, the first beneficial agent and first chemical reactant both being compatible with skin;   reacting the first chemical reactant with a second chemical reactant, also compatible with the skin, to enhance the permeability of the skin; and   applying the first beneficial agent to the skin while enhancing the permeability of the skin.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising applying a second beneficial agent, generated from the reaction, to the skin while enhancing the permeability of the skin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second beneficial agent is an antioxidant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second beneficial agent is hydrogen. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first beneficial agent comprises at least one beneficial agent selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, analgesics, anesthetics, anti-arthritis drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-migraine drugs, cardiovascular medications, pain-killers, anti-smoking drugs, natural or synthetic hormones, anti-hypertension agents, anti-depressants, antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, antiemetics, anti-infectants, contraceptives, diabetes drugs, steroids, anti-allergy agents, anti-migraine agents, dieting agents, vitamins, minerals, and herbs. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first chemical reactant comprises at least one metal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one metal comprises at least one of zinc, magnesium, aluminum, iron, and calcium. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second chemical reactant is water. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for applying a beneficial agent to the skin, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a first chemical reactant stored within the housing and compatible with the skin, the first chemical reactant generating a beneficial agent and enhancing the permeability of the skin when combined with a second chemical reactant; and   an application mechanism for applying the beneficial agent to the skin while the permeability of the skin is enhanced.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first chemical reactant comprises at least one of zinc, magnesium, aluminum, iron, and calcium; and   the second chemical reactant is water.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the beneficial agent is hydrogen. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising micro-needles attached to the housing. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the micro-needles are in communication with at least one of the first chemical reactant, the second chemical reactant, the beneficial agent, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a dense array. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a width ranging between about 1 and about 200 microns. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a width ranging between about 1 and about 200 microns. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a length of up to about 1 millimeter. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus for applying a beneficial agent to the skin, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a beneficial agent and a first chemical reactant stored together within the housing, the beneficial agent and first chemical reactant both being compatible with skin, the first chemical reactant enhancing the permeability of the skin when combined with a second chemical reactant; and   an application mechanism for applying the beneficial agent to the skin while the permeability of the skin is enhanced.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first chemical reactant comprises at least one of zinc, magnesium, aluminum, iron, and calcium; and   the second chemical reactant is water.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the first beneficial agent comprises at least one beneficial agent selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, analgesics, anesthetics, anti-arthritis drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-migraine drugs, cardiovascular medications, pain-killers, anti-smoking drugs, natural or synthetic hormones, anti-hypertension gents, anti-depressants, antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, antiemetics, anti-infectants, contraceptives, diabetes drugs, steroids, anti-allergy agents, anti-migraine agents, dieting agents, vitamins, minerals, and herbs. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising micro-needles attached to the housing. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the micro-needles are in communication with at least one of the first chemical reactant, the second chemical reactant, the beneficial agent, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a dense array. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a width ranging between about 1 and about 200 microns. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a width ranging between about 1 and about 200 microns. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a length of up to about 1 millimeter. 
     
     
         35 . An apparatus for applying beneficial agents to the skin, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a first beneficial agent and a first chemical reactant stored together within the housing, the first beneficial agent and first chemical reactant both being compatible with skin, the first chemical reactant generating a second beneficial agent and enhancing the permeability of the skin when combined with a second chemical reactant; and   an application mechanism for applying the first beneficial agent and the second beneficial agent to the skin while the permeability of the skin is enhanced.   
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the first beneficial agent comprises at least one beneficial agent selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, analgesics, anesthetics, anti-arthritis drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-migraine drugs, cardiovascular medications, pain-killers, anti-smoking drugs, natural or synthetic hormones, anti-hypertension agents, anti-depressants, antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, antiemetics, anti-infectants, contraceptives, diabetes drugs, steroids, anti-allergy agents, anti-migraine agents, dieting agents, vitamins, minerals, and herbs. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the second beneficial agent is hydrogen. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , further comprising micro-needles attached to the housing. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the micro-needles are in communication with at least one of the first chemical reactant, the second chemical reactant, the beneficial agent, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a dense array. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a width ranging between about 1 and about 200 microns. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a width ranging between about 1 and about 200 microns. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the micro-needles comprise a length of up to about 1 millimeter.