Storage and dispensing devices for administration of oral transmucosal dosage forms

Abstract

Dispensing devices and systems for oral transmucosal administration of small volume drug dosage forms to the oral mucosa are provided. The dispensing device may be a single dose applicator (SDA), or an electromechanical device comprising a means for patient identification such as a wrist worn RFID tag and annular bidirectional antenna together with a lock-out feature.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising,
 a drug dispensing device configured to dispense a drug dosage form, the drug dispensing device including an actuator and a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader; and   an RFID tag including a microchip and an antenna, the microchip and the antenna of the RFID tag being embedded in a patch configured to be adhered to a portion of an authorized user's finger or thumb, the RFID tag being paired with the RFID reader of the drug dispensing device, the microchip storing information specific to the RFID reader, the RFID tag configured to receive a first signal from the RFID reader of the drug dispensing device, the RFID tag configured to send a second signal to the RFID reader of the drug dispensing device after receipt of the first signal,   the drug dispensing device configured to dispense the drug dosage form when (1) the second signal is received by the RFID reader such that the authorized user is identified to the drug dispensing device, (2) the actuator of the drug dispensing device is actuated, and (3) the drug dispensing device is not in a predetermined lock-out period.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the RFID tag is passive. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the RFID tag is configured to be adhered to a pad side of the finger or thumb of the authorized user. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the RFID tag is configured to be adhered to a nail side of the finger or thumb of the authorized user. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the antenna of the RFID tag is oriented in the same plane as an antenna of the RFID reader and is proximate to the antenna of the RFID reader such that the RFID tag is inductively coupled to the RFID reader. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the RFID reader includes a coiled conductor antenna. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the drug dispensing device is configured to dispense a sufentanil-containing drug dosage form and the device is prevented from dispensing the sufentanil-containing drug dosage form until at least the second signal is received by the RFID reader such that the authorized user is identified to the drug dispensing device. 
     
     
         28 . A method, comprising:
 sending a first signal from a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader of a drug dispensing device to an RFID tag adhered to one of a finger or a thumb of an authorized user of the drug dispensing device, the RFID tag including a chip and an antenna each embedded in an adhesive patch;   receiving a second signal at the RFID reader from the RFID tag, the second signal being sent by the RFID reader in response to receipt of the first signal by the RFID tag; and   dispensing a drug dosage form from the drug dispensing device to an oral mucosal membrane after receipt of the second signal and when the drug dispensing device is not in a predetermined lockout period.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the first signal is sent via a coiled antenna of the RFID reader. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the first signal is not symmetrical. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the antenna of the RFID tag is oriented in the same plane as an antenna of the RFID reader during transmission of at least one of the first signal or the second signal. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the antenna is disposed on a pad of the finger or the thumb of the authorized user when the RFID tag is adhered to the finger or the thumb of the authorized user. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the antenna is disposed on a fingernail of the finger or the thumb of the authorized user when the RFID tag is adhered to the finger or the thumb of the authorized user. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 pairing the RFID tag to the RFID reader.   
     
     
         35 . A system, comprising,
 a drug dispensing device configured to dispense a drug dosage form, the drug dispensing device including an actuator and a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader, the RFID reader including at least one antenna; and   an RFID tag configured to identify an authorized user to the RFID reader, the RFID tag being paired with the RFID reader of the drug dispensing device, the RFID tag including a microchip and an antenna, the antenna of the RFID tag being embedded in a patch configured to be adhered to a pad side of the authorized user's finger or thumb, the RFID tag being proximate to and oriented in the same plane as the antenna of the RFID reader during actuation of the drug dispensing device;   the drug dispensing device configured to not dispense the drug dosage form upon actuation of the drug dispensing device unless the RFID tag has identified the authorized user to the RFID reader.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the RFID tag is passive. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the RFID reader includes a coiled conductor antenna. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the RFID tag is inductively coupled to the RFID reader. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the drug dispensing device is prevented from dispensing the drug dosage form during a predetermined lockout period even if the microchip of the RFID tag includes information indicative of the authorized user. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the drug dispensing device is configured to dispense a sufentanil-containing drug dosage form.