Transdermal patch with pull-tab actuated energy storage devices

Abstract

A transdermal patch can include a drug source, a porator, and an energy storage device on-board the patch. Conductive contact terminals can extend from the energy storage device for connection to an external source of power. The porator operates free of any concurrent connection to any external source of power. A switch can be used to make the selective electrical connection between the porator and the energy storage device. The switch can be arranged to respond to a manual user action after the patch has been adhered to skin, including separation of the porator from a remainder of the patch. Optionally, a series of switches can make electrical connections between the porator and respective individual energy storage devices. In another aspect, a transdermal patch includes a mechanical bias that applies a displacement force to the porator to thereby better ensure good physical contact between the porator and the skin.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A transdermal patch, comprising:
 a drug source for transdermal delivery of a drug through a skin of a user;   a dermal contact layer positioned to maintain the drug source in contact with the skin;   an electrically-actuatable porator supported in a position seated so as to substantially or completely overlie the drug source;   a stationary pole electrically coupled to the electrically-actuatable porator;   an elongate flexible carrier having a tab for pulling by a user, the carrier being configured to be movable relative to the dermal contact layer by pulling the tab, the carrier including a plurality of conductive arms; and   a plurality of energy storage devices on-board the transdermal patch, each energy storage device being connected to a respective one of the plurality of conductive arms,   wherein the plurality of conductive arms are configured to provide serial, selective electrical connectivity to the stationary pole in response to any pulling of the tab and movement of a respective conductive arm into contact with the stationary pole,   whereby the pulling of the tab serially brings successive ones of the plurality of conducting arms into contact with the stationary pole to complete a circuit and thereby serially discharge a charge stored in each respective energy storage device to effect actuation of the porator.   
     
     
         22 . The transdermal patch of  claim 21 , wherein the porator is arranged to be removed from the position seated so as to substantially or completely overlie the drug source. 
     
     
         23 . The transdermal patch of  claim 21 , wherein the dermal contact layer comprises at least one electrically-insulative layer. 
     
     
         24 . The transdermal patch of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of energy storage devices are supported on either the dermal contact layer or the porator or the removable carrier. 
     
     
         25 . The transdermal patch of  claim 21 , wherein the porator comprises a thin film tissue interface device supported on the carrier for contact with the skin of the user and arranged so as to define a pattern of micropores when actuated. 
     
     
         26 . The transdermal patch of  claim 21 , wherein each said energy storage device is a capacitor. 
     
     
         27 . The transdermal patch of  claim 21 , wherein the drug source is a matrix or at least one drug reservoir. 
     
     
         28 . The transdermal patch of  claim 21 , wherein the dermal contact layer includes a surface having a dermal contact adhesive. 
     
     
         29 . The transdermal patch of  claim 21 , further comprising conductive contact terminals that extend from each energy storage device, the contact terminals being connectable to an external source of power so as to couple an electric potential from the external source of power and store the electric potential in each respective energy storage device.