Biosynchronous transdermal drug delivery

Abstract

Systems and methods for synchronizing the administration of compounds with the human body's natural circadian rhythms and addiction rhythms to counteract symptoms when they are likely to be at their worst by using an automated and pre programmable transdermal or other drug administration system.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A programmable transdermal drug delivery device comprising:
 (a) a membrane coupled to the skin of a host;   (b) at least one reservoir storing a quantity of an active composition comprising at least one drug and at least one solvent;   (c) a dispensing apparatus supplying a quantity of the active composition from the at least one reservoir to the membrane in response to a control signal;   (d) a timing mechanism coupled to the dispensing apparatus and configured to generate the control signal according to a programmed administration schedule to control the time and dosage of drug delivery; and   (e) a solvent recovery means comprising absorbent material, a waste reservoir, or a combination thereof,
 wherein the solvent recovery means functions to start dosing of the drug, stop dosing of the drug, or increase or decrease the dosage of the drug while the device is maintained in contact with the skin, and 
 wherein the solvent recovery means starts, stops or increases or decreases the drug delivery by (1) removing depleted solvent from the reservoir to maintain the drug concentration; and (2) reclaiming solvent that was dispensed but not absorbed, resulting in drying of an interface which results in controlled termination of drug delivery. 
   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the dispensing apparatus controls a rate at which the active composition is supplied in response to the control signal. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the active composition is delivered transdermally by passive diffusion from the membrane into the skin of the host. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the active composition includes carrier materials, and further wherein the solvent recovery means is configured to remove carrier materials from the membrane while the device is maintained in contact with the skin. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for delivering a drug to a host comprising:
 (a) coupling a programmable transdermal drug delivery device to the host; and   (b) starting, stopping or increasing or decreasing delivery of a drug to the host according to a programmed administration schedule while the device is maintained in contact with the skin,   
       wherein the device comprises:
 (i) a membrane coupled to the skin of a host; 
 (ii) at least one reservoir storing a quantity of an active composition comprising at least one drug and at least one solvent; 
 (iii) a dispensing apparatus supplying a quantity of the active composition from the at least one reservoir to the membrane in response to a control signal; 
 (iv) a timing mechanism coupled to the dispensing apparatus and configured to generate the control signal according to a programmed administration schedule to control the time and dosage of drug delivery; and 
 (v) a solvent recovery means comprising absorbent material, a waste reservoir, or a combination thereof, wherein the solvent recovery means starts, stops or increases or decreases the drug delivery by (1) removing depleted solvent from the reservoir to maintain the drug concentration; and (2) reclaiming solvent that was dispensed but not absorbed, resulting in drying of an interface which results in controlled termination of drug delivery. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the programmed administration schedule initiates drug delivery at a time when the subject is expected to be asleep. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the programmed administration schedule terminates drug delivery at a time when the subject is expected to be asleep. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the programmed administration schedule increases the dosage of drug delivered at a time when the subject is expected to be asleep. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the programmed administration schedule decreases the dosage of drug delivered at a time when the subject is expected to be asleep. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the timing mechanism comprises an electronic programmable timing mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the solvent recovery means includes a hydrophilic substance or a hydrogel. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the reservoir is a collapsible drug reservoir or a pressurized drug reservoir. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a micro-pump which, when activated, causes release of the quantity of the active composition from the reservoir to the membrane. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the membrane is positioned between the host and the reservoir when the drug delivery device is coupled to the host. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the programmed administration schedule is selected to deliver the active composition at a time, rate, sequence, cycle, or any combination thereof that is synchronized with a biological rhythm of the host. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the programmed administration schedule is configured to initiate delivery of the active composition at a time when the host is expected to be asleep. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising memory and wherein the memory includes the programmed administration schedule. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the programmed administration schedule implements a programmed dosage profile. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the active composition comprises nicotine. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the active composition comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of a stimulant, nitroglycerine, caffeine, fentanyl, albutamol, selegiline, Cold/Flu medicine, Anticoagulants, pain medication, ephedrine, vitamins, Vitamin C, Echinacea, Zinc, albuterol, tolobuterol, salmeterol, beta-2-agonist, an antiarrhythmic drug, clondine, and a hypertension drug. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the solvent recovery means comprises:
 (a) an expandable waste reservoir;   (b) a desiccant;   (c) a compartment connected to the environment for evaporation;   (d) a compartment through which gas is guided to promote evaporation;   (e) a heating element for supporting evaporation; or   (f) any combination thereof.   
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the membrane is a selectively permeable membrane.