Handheld transdermal drug delivery and analyte extraction

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for facilitating delivery of a substance through skin of a subject. The apparatus includes a handle and a cartridge, removably coupled to the handle. The cartridge includes one or more electrodes and a patch comprising the substance, the electrodes adapted to be applied to a region of the skin, and the patch adapted to be applied to at least a portion of the region of the skin by removal of the electrodes therefrom.

1 - 124 . (canceled) 
   
   
       125 . Apparatus for facilitating delivery of a substance through skin of a subject, comprising:
 a handle; and   a cartridge, removably coupled to the handle, the cartridge comprising one or more electrodes and a patch comprising the substance, the electrodes adapted to be applied to a region of the skin, and the patch adapted to be applied to at least a portion of the region of the skin by removal of the electrodes therefrom.   
   
   
       126 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the electrodes are adapted, when a current is applied therethrough, to create at least one micro-channel in stratum corneum epidermidis of the skin. 
   
   
       127 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the substance includes a drug, and wherein the apparatus is adapted to facilitate delivery of the drug through the skin of the subject. 
   
   
       128 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein at least one of the electrodes is adapted to contact the skin to create a contact area therewith having a characteristic diameter of less than about 200 microns. 
   
   
       129 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the cartridge is adapted to comprise only a single dose of the substance. 
   
   
       130 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the cartridge comprises an electrical connector, adapted to electrically couple the cartridge to the handle. 
   
   
       131 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the electrodes are adapted, when a current is applied therethrough, to ablate stratum corneum of the skin. 
   
   
       132 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the patch comprises an adhesive strip on a skin-contact surface thereof, the adhesive adapted to adhere to the skin of the subject at a time when the one or more electrodes are applied to the region of the skin. 
   
   
       133 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the patch comprises:
 a protective covering, which comprises a tab coupled to the cartridge; and   a pad comprising the substance, the pad adapted to be brought into contact with at least a portion of the skin when the tab is pulled.   
   
   
       134 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the cartridge comprises a coupling mechanism, adapted to lock the cartridge to the handle when the handle and cartridge are brought into contact with one another. 
   
   
       135 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the handle comprises a status indicator that is adapted to indicate to a user of the apparatus to remove the electrodes from the region of the skin, thereby applying the patch to the portion of the region. 
   
   
       136 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the handle comprises a coupling mechanism, adapted to lock the cartridge to the handle when the handle and cartridge are brought into contact with one another. 
   
   
       137 . Apparatus according to  claim 136 , wherein the handle comprises a switch, and wherein the apparatus is adapted to allow coupling of the cartridge to the handle only when the switch is activated. 
   
   
       138 . Apparatus according to  claim 136 , wherein the cartridge comprises at least one support, and wherein the handle is shaped to define a slot therein, adapted to receive and be coupled to the support. 
   
   
       139 . Apparatus according to  claim 125 , wherein the cartridge is adapted so that a ratio of a total contact area of the electrodes with the skin to an area of the region of the skin is less than about 1:20. 
   
   
       140 . Apparatus according to  claim 139 , wherein the cartridge is adapted so that the ratio is less than about 1:200. 
   
   
       141 . Apparatus for facilitating delivery of a substance through skin of a subject, comprising a patch assembly having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion,
 the first portion comprising a frame that surrounds an open portion of the patch assembly, such that a region of the skin is exposed through the open portion when the first portion is placed on the skin, and   the second portion comprising a pad comprising the substance, the pad being adapted to be brought into contact, through the open portion, with at least a portion of the region of the skin.   
   
   
       142 . Apparatus according to  claim 141 , wherein the frame comprises an adhesive on a skin-contact surface thereof, the adhesive adapted to adhere to the skin of the subject. 
   
   
       143 . Apparatus according to  claim 141 , wherein the second portion comprises a protective covering, which comprises a tab, and wherein the pad is adapted to be brought into contact with the portion of the skin when the tab is pulled. 
   
   
       144 . Apparatus according to  claim 141 , wherein the first and second portions are adapted to articulate at respective edges coupling the portions. 
   
   
       145 . A method for facilitating delivery of a substance contained in a patch through skin of a subject, comprising:
 removably coupling, to a handle, a cartridge comprising a plurality of electrodes;   placing at least a portion of the cartridge over the skin so that at least a portion of the electrodes are applied to a region of the skin;   driving a current between two or more of the electrodes; and   applying the patch to at least a portion of the region of the skin by removing the electrodes from the region of the skin.   
   
   
       146 . A method according to  claim 145 , wherein driving the current comprises driving the current so as to create at least one micro-channel in stratum corneum epidermidis of the skin. 
   
   
       147 . A method according to  claim 145 , wherein the substance includes a drug, and wherein applying the patch comprises applying the patch so as to deliver the substance through the skin. 
   
   
       148 . A method according to  claim 145 , wherein placing at least a portion of the cartridge over the skin comprises placing at least a portion of the cartridge over the skin so that at least one of the electrodes is brought in contact with the skin so as to create a contact area therewith having a characteristic diameter of less than about 100 microns. 
   
   
       149 . A method according to  claim 145 , comprising electrically coupling the cartridge to the handle. 
   
   
       150 . A method according to  claim 145 , wherein driving the current comprises driving a current configured to ablate stratum corneum of the skin. 
   
   
       151 . A method according to  claim 145 , wherein removably coupling the cartridge to the handle comprises locking the cartridge to the handle. 
   
   
       152 . A method according to  claim 145 , wherein removably coupling the cartridge to the handle comprises activating a switch that allows the cartridge to be coupled to the handle. 
   
   
       153 . A method according to  claim 145 , wherein placing at least a portion of the cartridge over the skin comprises placing at least a portion of the cartridge over the skin so that a ratio of a total contact area of the electrodes with the skin to an area of the region of the skin covered by the cartridge is less than about 1:20. 
   
   
       154 . A method according to  claim 153 , wherein placing at least a portion of the cartridge over the skin comprises placing at least a portion of the cartridge over the skin so that the ratio is less than about 1:200.