MX2008006976A - Combination cartridge and device for electrokinetic delivery of medicament to a treatment site - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for electrokinetic delivery of medicament to a treatment site includes a cartridge having an active electrode and a membrane overlying the active electrode and a medicament or a medicament and an electrically conductive carrier therefor, carried by the membrane in electrical contact with the electrode. The electrode opens through a surface of the cartridge remote from the membrane for connection with an electrical connector carried by the device. An locking element releasably couples the cartridge to the housing.

Description

CARTRIDGE AND DEVICE IN COMBINATION FOR THE SUPPLY ELECTROCINETICO DE MEDICAMENTO A TREATMENT SITE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to the transfer of electrokinetic mass of substances within a tissue, such as an apparatus for electrokinetically delivering substances, for example a medicament to a treatment site on the skin. The invention particularly relates to a coupling-blocking mechanism between a cartridge carrying the medicament and a portable or finger-mounted device that releases the cartridge and provides electric power to the cartridge. The electrokinetic delivery of drugs is known to locally apply a medication through the skin of an individual to a treatment site. One type of electrokinetic delivery mechanism is iontophoresis, that is, the application of an electric field to the skin to improve the permeability of the skin. An iontophoresis device delivers various ionic agents, for example, salt ions or other drugs, to the treatment site. In certain situations, iontophoretic, transdermal and transmucosal skin delivery techniques have eliminated the need for a hypodermic injection of many drugs, eliminating the concomitant problem of trauma, pain and the risk of infection to the individual associated topically with the hypodermic injection. Other types of electrokinetic delivery mechanisms include electroosmosis, electroporation, electroemigration and endosmosis, any or all of which are more generally known as electrotransport, electromolecular transport or iontophoretic methods or are more generally known as electrokinetic methods. Previous electrokinetic devices to deliver drugs to a treatment site were typically uncomfortable, bulky, expensive, and often required the presence of an individual in a doctor's office or treatment center and the use of medical professionals to administer the medication. More recently, devices have been developed for the private self-administration of drugs or for application for diagnosis purposes by the individual in non-medical or non-professional facilities. For example, US Patent No. 6,792,306 discloses an electrokinetic delivery device which includes a housing containing a power source, electronic elements and a counter electrode, the device is formed and configured for releasable securing to an individual's finger and ends in an applicator head having an active electrode. By placing the head on the skin above the treatment site and with the medicament or a medicament and a carrier therefor carried by the applicator head, the medicament can be delivered electrokinetically to the treatment site. The need has developed for a disposable applicator cartridge which can be manufactured quickly and easily at low cost and which contains in a sealed manner the medicament whereby the cartridge can be releasably secured to the cartridge applicator device by means of an element and can be released, preferably ejected from an electrokinetic drug delivery device mounted on a finger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A novel electrokinetic delivery system has been developed for the self-administration of a drug to a treatment site in an individual comprising a device for releasable securing to the individual's finger and formed in part to conform at least to one portion of the individual's finger, a holding device for releasably securing the device to the individual's finger, an independent power source and a tactile electrode carried by the device and a cartridge for releasable securing to the device. The cartridge may include an active electrode in electrical contact with the power source when the cartridge is secured to the device. With the application of the active electrode to the treatment site with a medicine interposed between the active electrode and the treatment site, an electrical circuit is completed through the active electrode, the drug or a conductive carrier for it, the treatment site, the body of the individual, the tactile electrode and the power source. The device causes an electrical circuit to flow to electrically drive the medicament from the cartridge into the treatment site, which is typically in the skin of the individual. In another embodiment, there is provided an electrokinetic delivery system for the self-administration of a drug to a treatment site in an individual comprising transporting an independent power source and a tactile electrode, a cartridge for releasable securing to the device, an element of blocking carried by one of the device and the cartridge and coupled with a locking surface in the other of the device and the cartridge and the blocking element is movable to release the securing between the device and the cartridge making possible the release of the cartridge from the device. The device and the cartridge include a co-operable surface (s) with the blocking element, making possible a deflection of the element to forcibly eject the cartridge from the device. The cartridge may include an active electrode in electrical contact with the power source. When the cartridge is secured to the device and with the placement of the active electrode in the treatment site with a medicament interposed between the active electrode and the treatment site, an electrical circuit is completed through which current flows. The current passes through the active electrode, the medicament or a conductive carrier for it, the treatment site, the individual's body, the tactile electrode and the power source. The device causes an electrical circuit to flow to electrically drive the cartridge medication into the treatment site.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the electrokinetic delivery device that includes an applicator or a cartridge (collectively a "cartridge") releasably secured to the delivery device. FIGURE 2 is a similar perspective view of the first embodiment of the electrokinetic delivery device wherein the cartridge is released from the device. FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 showing the device in cross section along a longitudinal section illustrating the internal components of the device. FIGURES 4A, 4B and 4C are fragmentary cross-sectional views of the device illustrating a sequence of steps for releasing the cartridge from the device. FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a cartridge, illustrating the back of the cartridge which is in front of the device when the cartridge is attached to the device. FIGURE 6 is a perspective side and front view of a second embodiment of the electrokinetic delivery device. FIGURES 7 and 8 are side views of a second embodiment of the device showing the cartridge attached and removed from the housing. FIGURE 9 is a side view of the second embodiment of the device showing in cross section the cartridge and the union for the cartridge. FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the device showing the front portion of the device in cross section. FIGURE 11 is a view with the separated parts of the second embodiment of the device. FIGURES 12 to 14 are front perspective views and cross sectional views of a locking element for a third embodiment of the device, wherein the locking element couples a cartridge to a housing of the device. FIGURES 15 and 16 are a front view and a perspective view, respectively, of a spring clip for a cartridge locking element for a further embodiment of the device. FIGURES 17 and 18 are a perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view, respectively, of another cartridge locking element for a fourth embodiment of the device. FIGURES 19 and 20 are a cross-sectional view and a view with the parts separated, respectively, of a locking element and a cartridge for a fifth embodiment of the device. FIGURES 21 and 22 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a lower body of the blocking element shown in Figures 19 and 20. FIGURES 23 and 24 are a cross-sectional view and a view with the separate parts, respectively, of a cartridge locking element and a cartridge for a sixth embodiment of the device. FIGURES 25 and 26 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a lower body of the cartridge locking element shown in Figures 23 and 24. FIGURES 27 and 28 are a cross-sectional view and a viewed with the separate portions, respectively, of a cartridge locking element and a cartridge for a seventh embodiment of the device. FIGURE 29 is a cross-sectional view of the lower body of a locking element shown in Figures 27 and 28. FIGURE 30 is a cross-sectional view of an ejector and a leg bracket for use with the locking element shown in Figures 27 to 29. FIGURE 31 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of the device having a housing with a cartridge locking element and a cartridge. FIGURES 32 and 33 are a front view in cross section and a view with the parts separated, respectively, of a cartridge locking element and a cartridge for a ninth embodiment of the device. FIGURES 34 and 35 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of the cartridge and cartridge joint shown in Figures 32 and 33.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1 to 4 show an electrokinetic drug delivery device mounted on a compact, lightweight, independent, moveable finger 10 and a cartridge 12 releasably attached to the delivery device 10. The device 10 includes a housing 14 mountable on and, in part, around the finger or digit of an individual. The interior of the housing 14 may contain an independent power supply 16, for example a battery, a counter electrode 18 electrically connected to the power supply and forming part of a flexible electrical circuit 20 carried by the housing 14. The device can be portable such as by securing the housing 14 to a finger. For example, an index finger is inserted through an opening 118 of the device.

After the cap 50 is removed and the cartridge head is placed in the target site on the skin, an electrical current is applied by the device to the medicament and to a counter electrode 18 in contact with the index finger. Alternatively, an activator 11 can be used to drive the application of the electric current. The electric current is provided to the medicament via an active electrode 36 (Figure 4A and 5). The flexible circuit 20 provides an electrical path between the power source and the active electrode. The electric current flows through the active electrode and the counter electrode, the drug matrix, the contact area of the skin, the individual and the device. Current flow causes the medication to penetrate the skin at the site of skin contact where the cartridge is pressed against the skin. After the medicament is delivered, the cartridge 30 is released and removed from the housing by pressing the eject buttons 108 on opposite sides of the housing. The inward deflection of the buttons releases the posts 90 on a back surface (eg, a second face) of the cartridge and can forcibly eject the cartridge. The cartridge 12 is preferably releasably secured to the device 10 at the distal end of the housing of the device 14. The releasable securing makes it possible for the device 10 to be reused with additional cartridges. The individual cartridge 12 is intended for one-time use only. To facilitate the electrical connection between the finger of the human individual and the counter electrode or tactile electrode 18, the electrode 18 is shaped, for example, with a concave surface, to receive the lower surface of the individual's finger. To press the finger against the counter electrode 18, an animated spring 110 exposed through the bottom side of the housing 14 has influence on the finger towards the counter electrode. Additionally, a finger stop 116 is provided to receive the tip of the individual's finger when engaged through the opening 118 of the device to prevent excessive movement of the finger in the device. The flexible circuit 20 includes an arcuate portion 120 which extends along an interior surface of the housing 14. The arcuate shape ensures that the flexible circuit is out of the path of the finger when it is in the opening 118. The arched portion of the circuit flexible provides an electrical connection between the circuit 20 and the counter electrode 18 which engages the finger. To further facilitate the electrical connection between the finger and counter electrode 18, a substrate moistened to increase conductivity for one-time use 122 formed of a woven or non-woven material, e.g. a sponge, can be provided to moisten the surfaces of contact between the finger and the counter electrode. The substrate for increasing conductivity 122 can be applied to an individual's finger before the insertion of the finger into the device. The substrate for increasing conductivity 122 can be impregnated with a hydrogel or other electrically conductive material, facilitating the electrical connection between the finger of the individual and the counter electrode 18 when the substrate for increasing the conductivity 122 registers and makes contact with the counter electrode. The flexible circuit also includes a contact pin 22 that makes the electrical connection with an active electrode 36 (Figure 5) carried by the cartridge 12. The pin 22 makes electrical contact with the active electrode 36 for the electrokinetic transport of the medicament transported by the cartridge 12 to the skin treatment site with the completion of an electrical circuit of the power supply 16, through the flexible circuit 20, pin 22, active electrode 36, medicament or hydration material carrying the medicament, the body of the individual and a counter electrode or tactile electrode 18 carried by the housing 14 in electrical contact with the power source 16. The flexible circuit 20 may include a metal strip spring 306 between the counter electrode 18 and the pin 22 to provide electrical contact between the two. As best shown in Figure 3, the flexible circuit 20 is disposed within the housing 14. The flexible circuit 20 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 300, an on-off switch 302 accessible to through an opening 304 in the housing 14 and put into operation by an activator (Figure 1), the arcuate portion 120, the counter electrode 18 and the pin 22 for electrically coupling the flexible circuit 20 and the active electrode 36 of the cartridge 12 when the The cartridge is applied to the device 10. An electrical circuit is completed when the cartridge 12 is secured to the device 10 to electrokinetically drive the medicament or medicament and a carrier therefor through the skin of the individual to the treatment site. The electrical circuit includes the power supply 16, the PCB 300, the on-off switch 302 (activator 11) when placed in a lit condition, the arcuate portion 120, the counter electrode 18, the pin 22, the active electrode 36 , the medicament or the medicament and a carrier therefor carried by the cartridge 12, the body of the individual between the treatment site and the individual's finger electrically coupled to the counter electrode or tactile electrode 18. The electrical contact between the pin 22 and the PCB is provided by a conductive path 186 on a first side of a spring portion 188 of the flexible circuit and the path 186 extends on a rear side of the arcuate portion 120 of the flexible circuit to the PCB. The side of the finger (opposite the back side) of the arcuate portion includes counter electrode 18 which is connected by a conductive path 190 over the flexible circuit extending to the PCB. FIGURES 4A to 4C show the releasable connection between the cartridge 12 and the housing 14. The cartridge 12 is releasably secured to the housing 14 by a locking element which easily receives a cartridge 12 at the distal end of the housing and secures the cartridge 12 to cartridge applicator device 10 in a manner that ensures electrical contact between flexible circuit 20 and active electrode 36. Generally, a blocking element includes a component of the cartridge, eg, securing posts 90 and a component of the housing, for example ridges 100, releasably coupling the component of the cartridge. The blocking element makes it possible for the cartridge 12 to be released, preferably forcibly expelled, from the housing after the use of the cartridge. In particular, the blocking element includes a pair of resiliently flexible posts 90 which flank or are on both sides preferably of an opening 41 extending from the rear surface (face) of the front surface. The opening exposes the active electrode 36 seated in a recess 32 in the front surface of the cartridge head 30. The front surface further includes an annular rim 34 that supports a cover 50 that can be removed to expose a matrix 44. The cap 50 is shows on the front surface of the cartridge in Figure 4A. The cap is removed before the cartridge is applied to the skin and the application of the medication. The lid is shown removed and the cartridge is in the process of being ejected in Figures 4B and 4C, which means that the cartridge has been used and is being discarded. Each post 90 includes a neck 92 which terminates at its distal end in an outwardly directed flange 94 and, at its proximal end, is integral with the head of the cartridge 30. The flange 94 has a bottom surface or flat surface 96 which it extends laterally and is generally parallel to a plane of the head 30. Each flange 94 also includes a tapered outer surface 98 that provides a sloped distal end of the post 90 preferably along the full lateral extent of the flange 94. The distal end of housing 14 (which receives the cartridge) includes a pair of opposingly disposed flanges 100 of partial annular edges. The flanges have flat surfaces 102 along the upper surfaces thereof parallel to the flat surfaces 96 along the underside of the flanges 94. The flat surfaces 102 of the flanges of the housing 100 couple the planar surfaces 96 of the flanges. posts of the cartridge 90 to engage the cartridge in the housing. The flanges of the housing 100 may have adjacent tapered surfaces 87 along the interior surfaces of the housing to facilitate sliding of the cartridge within the device and ejection of the cartridge from the device. Due to the elastically flexible nature of the posts 90, the poles deviate inward towards each other as the cartridge 12 is displaced towards and into the distal end of the housing 14. The inward deflection is caused by the insertion of the cartridge that engages the tapered surfaces 98 of the posts 90 along the tapered surfaces 87 of the inner edges of the ridges 100. Once the flanges 94 extend beyond the flanges 100, the posts flex elastically outwardly. moving away from each other under their natural influence in such a way that the lower sides 96 of the posts engage and support the flat surfaces 102 of the flanges 100. The pin 22 of the housing makes an electrical connection with the active electrode 36 in the cartridge, with securing the cartridge 12 to the device 10 by coupling the active electrode 36 through the opening 41 of the cartridge 12. The elastic character of the flexible circuit, for example a metal spring 306, has influence on the pin 22 in electrical contact with the active electrode 36. The influence of the flexible circuit also pushes the surface 96 and the flat surfaces 102 in contact with each other. To release and preferably eject the cartridge 12 from the housing 14, the distal end of the housing 14 includes a pair of eject buttons 108 on cantilevered springs 106 which are arms integrally formed with the housing. The springs 106 terminate at their free ends on the push eject buttons 108 along the opposite sides of the housing 14. The springs 106 have similarly profiled outer surfaces as adjacent portions of the housing 14. The push buttons 108 can be pressed. internally against each other against the influence of the springs 106. As better illustrated in Figure 4B, the inward deflection of the push buttons 108 causes the inner edges of the plies 106 to engage the outer tapered surfaces 98 of the flanges 94 of the posts 90. The additional displacement of the push buttons 108 between them moves the flanges 94 of the posts toward each other and away from the flat surfaces 102 of the ridges of the cartridge 100. When the flat surfaces 96 of the flanges 94 of the posts clear the flat surfaces 102 of the housing, the cartridge 12 is released from the device 10. The cooperation of the flanges 94 and the sup tapering interior surfaces 87 of the flanges 100 makes it possible for the cartridge 12 to be ejected from the device 10 with an energetic movement positive of the cartridge away from the device. The return influence of the poles (to return to their uninfluenced positions compare Figures 4B and 4C) causes the tips of the flanges 94 to support the tapered surfaces 87 of the flanges 100 and transmit a force on the cartridge 12 to eject by force the cartridge of the device. The tapered surfaces 87 on the flanges of the housing 100 facilitate insertion and ejection of the cartridge in and out of the housing. Posts 90 can be configured to prevent repositioning of the cartridge to the device after a single use. For example, the posts 90 may have weakened portions 93 along their collars 92 making it possible for the posts to collapse or break during the ejection process thereby preventing the subsequent reattachment of the cartridge to the device 10. The weakened portions must be strong to allow the cartridge to be inserted and maintained in the housing. The front surface of the head 30 includes a recess 32 defined by an annular rim 34 around the head 30. An active electrode 36 is disposed within the recess 32. The active electrode has a broad surface area exposed to the front surface of the head 30 within a peripheral margin or boundary 38 between the outer edge of the electrode 36 and the edge 34 of the head 30. The surface area of the active electrode 36 on the front side of the head 30 is generally co-extensive with the gap 32 except for the margin 38. In the illustrated cartridge, the head 30, the exposed portion of the active electrode 36 and the margin 38 are circular. Other configurations, for example rectangular, oval and triangular, can be used for the geometry of the cartridge and for the matrix and the active electrode. The recessed annular margin 38 in the recess 32 of the head 30 includes a plurality of raised recesses 39, for example raised projections from the surface of the margin 38, at locations circumferentially spaced around the margin 38. The recesses may be radially or circumferentially spaced apart from each other. . Except for the active electrode 36, the drug matrix membrane 44 and the cap 50, the head 30 may be formed of a polymeric material. FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the reading surface of the cartridge 12. The cartridge 12 generally includes a head 30, for example a disc, having on its back or rear side a portion of a blocking element, for example the posts 90, to releasably secure the cartridge 12 to the housing. To provide an electrical connection between the active electrode 36 of the cartridge 12 and the flexible circuit 20, the rear surface of the head 30 has an opening 41, preferably aligned with a central portion of the head 30, through which the rear part is exposed of the active electrode 36. The pin 22 in electrical connection with the flexible circuit 20 extends through the opening 41 to make an electrical connection with the rear side portion of the electrode 36 when the cartridge 12 is secured to the housing. The rear part of the cartridge 12 includes one or more openings 37 which expose a portion of the electrode 36. Additional exposure of the electrode through the openings 37 provides secondary electrical access to the active electrode such as to facilitate diagnostic testing during the The alternative device 70 includes a housing 72, cartridge 74, finger opening 76, and eject buttons 78. Alternative device 70 includes an alternative access for the tab 22. FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an alternative device 70 having a housing 72, cartridge 74, finger opening 76, and ejecting buttons 78. many of the same components of the device 10 described above. The alternative device 70 is smooth, comfortable to hold and intuitive to operate. FIGURES 7 and 8 are side views of the alternative device 70 in which the cartridge is ejected (Figure 7) and is attached (Figure 8). In addition, the alternative device may include a plurality of metal pins 79 to provide an electrical connection between the electronic elements and the power supply in the housing and the active electrode in the cartridge. FIGS. 9 to 11 show a blocking element 80 for releasably connecting the cartridge 74 to the housing 72 in the alternative device 70. The mechanism 80 allows a slight rotation, for example a range of angular movement of 5 to 10 degrees, around of the cartridge shaft. The rotation of the cartridge ensures that removal of the metal foil lid 50 (see Figure 4A) will not inadvertently release the cartridge. The blocking element 80 comprises a spring clip 82 and a contact ring 83 with the electrical contact pins 79 and an inner detent flange 89 in the cartridge. The spring clip generally has a keyhole shape in a front plan view having a bulb-shaped section 84 that forms a spring to separate a pair of arms 86 that include the flanges 88 for engaging the inner annular rim 89. of the cartridge. The spring clip can be an elastic material in the form of a plastic or metal strip. The end surfaces of the bulb-shaped section include the eject buttons 78. The spring clip fits within the distal end of the housing 72 which includes the interior recesses and notches for receiving the spring clip. The openings on opposite sides of the housing allow the eject buttons 78 to project through the housing. When the buttons are pressed together, the arms deviate inwards and release the cartridge. The contact ring 83 fits within the bulb-shaped section and provides electrical contact between the power supply and the electronic elements (not shown) and the pins 79. The contact ring 83 can be a conductive material, example a thin metal material. The pins 79 provide electrical contact between the active electrode and the flexible circuit. FIGURES 12, 13 and 14 illustrate another locking element 130 in a housing having a relatively thin finger section 132 with an opening for the finger. The cartridge 134 is snapped onto the sear arms 138 of the spring clip 136 in the finger section of the housing 132. The spring clip can be a metallic material or an elastic plastic strip material. The blocking element 130 is similar to the blocking element 80 shown in Figures 9 to 11 because it includes a spring clip 136 and a contact ring and lugs (not shown). The arms 138 of the spring clip 136 are short and include a flange 140 and a tapered chamfer 142 distal to the flange. The opening 143 in the back of the cartridge 134 has a chamfered edge 144 through which the chamfered surface 142 of the latch 142 slides on the arms 138 when the cartridge is inserted into the mechanism 130. The sliding chamfered surfaces deflect the arms 138 from the clamp inwards until the lips 140 slide past the shoulders 89 of the interior recess of the cartridge. When the flanges 89, 140 pass each other, the arms 138 are pressed into the cartridge and the flanges 89, 140 couple the cartridge to the housing, as shown in Figure 14. An advantage of the spring clip mechanisms 82 (Figure 11), 136 is that they permit generous manufacturing tolerances of the mechanism and the cartridge. FIGURES 15 and 16 show another spring clip 150 having a cup-shaped top region 152 that allows a printed circuit board 154, for example the flexible circuit, to be mounted in the housing on the spring clip. The bulbous section 155 of the spring clip includes the eject buttons 156 that extend from the housing. The lower portion of the bulbous section includes the reference points 158 which are attached to the posts in the housing. When the eject buttons are depressed (as shown by the arrows pointing inward), the clip rotates around the posts and the arms 159 swing outward (see arrows pointing outwards) to release posts 160 of the cartridge 162. The buttons are depressed to insert the cartridge between the arms 159 and to release the cartridge. FIGS. 17 and 18 show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of another blocking element 166 in which posts 168 of the cartridge 170 are snapped into the slots 172 in a nose section 174 of the housing. The nose section 174 is hollow and has slots on opposite sides to receive the posts of the cartridge. The slots can extend through the walls of the nose section. The posts have a distal flange 172 and tapered front surfaces. The poles deviate inward as their tapered surfaces slide into the nose section while the cartridge is inserted into the nose. Once in the nose, the flanges on the lower surfaces of the flanges on the posts are inserted into the slots under pressure. The flanges on the posts extend through the slots. To remove the cartridge, the flanges 172 on the post are pressed inward by pinching with the user's fingers to deflect the posts and allow the cartridge to slide out of the nose. The electrical contact pin 176 extends through a central region of the nose and provides a contact between the active electrode in the cartridge and the energy supply in the housing. FIGURES 19 and 20 are a cross-sectional view and a view with the separated portions of a fifth locking element 180 and cartridge 182. FIGURES 21 and 22 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a lower body 190. of the mechanism 180. The cartridge has a central post 184 with a frustoconical head 186 which is inserted into the hollow nose 188 of the locking element. A lower body 190 of the locking element includes the nose 188 which is formed by a pair of arms 192 which together form a generally cylindrical body of the nose and an annular flange 194 at the distal end of the nose. A reference point 196 is in an intermediate portion of the arms. The reference point 196 may be part of an annular ring 198 (see Figure 21) that extends completely around the nose section. Alternatively, a pivot joint, for example, a slot in the rim section and a rod in the arms, can be formed at the proximal end of the arms with the rim section of the nose. The arms 192 extend beyond the reference point and form a lever arm 199 (FIG. 22) having the buttons 207. As the buttons are pressed together, the levers 199 cause the arms to rotate and force outwards the arms. flanges 194 (see the opposite arrows in Figure 21). The flanges 201 on the inner surfaces of the flanges 194 engage the lower flat surfaces 203 of the head 186 of the post 184 on the cartridge. When the buttons are depressed, the outward movement of the arms 192 releases the ridges 201 from the flat surface 203 of the post 184 to release the cartridge 182.

The lower body 190 can be formed as a single molded plastic part. The body 190 further includes a central pin axis 200 (Figure 22) for axially supporting a lead pin 205 (Figure 19) that couples the active electrode 36 and has an influence on the electrode against the drug matrix 44. The reinforcements between the shaft and the ring 198 support the hollow nose axis of the lower body 190. The lever arm 199 can be curved and can be in an opening between the U-shaped supports 202 of the body 190. A metal contact plate 204 sits on the upper surface of the lever arms 199 and the U-shaped supports 202 to provide electrical contact between the pin 205 and the power source. A U-shaped inverted upper body 206 puts a cover to the U-shaped supports 202 and together form a figure opening. FIGURES 23 and 24 are a cross-sectional view and a view with the parts separated, respectively, of another blocking element 210 and cartridge 212, which includes an active electrode and a drug matrix which are not shown. FIGURES 25 and 26 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a lower body 214 of the sixth blocking element. The blocking element 210 further includes a contact plate 217 which is supported on a U-shaped seat 219 of the lower body 214 and a U-shaped inverted cover 218 which fits over the U-shaped seat 219. The cartridge 212 has a pair of posts 220 each with a tapered, outer, upper surface 225 and a rim 223. Lower body 214 has a hollow nose 227 comprising a pair of rigid arms 216 and a pair of pivoting lever arms 221. The levers 221 each have a button 224 and an inner rim 226. When the posts of the cartridge 220 are in the lower body 214, the rims 226 are contiguous with the tapered upper surface 225 of the posts 220. When the buttons are pressed together , the cartridge is ejected. As the buttons force the lever edges 226 against the tapered surface 225, the posts 220 deviate inwardly and are released from a rim 222 on the lever arms of the lower body. The arms 221 and the buttons 224 are contiguous but do not engage the poles of the cartridge. The stops on the lower hollow body prevent the posts and the cartridge from rotating. Extending inward from the rigid arms 216 are the reinforcements 228 for supporting a central axis 229 for the contact pin and the flanges 222 that engage the flat flange 223 on the cartridge post. The ridges 222 can form a rigid ring below the inner, lower edge of the buttons 224. The posts are biased inward as they slide upwardly into the nose 227. The flat flanges 223 of the posts are snapped in. on and are hooked onto the rim flange 222 of the nose. FIGURES 27 and 28 are a cross-sectional view and a view with the parts separated, respectively, of an additional blocking element 230 and a cartridge 232. The cartridge includes an active electrode and a drug matrix that are not shown. FIGURE 29 is a cross-sectional view of a lower body 234 of the locking element 230. FIGURE 30 is a cross-sectional view of an ejector and leg support 236. A contact plate 238 sits in a shaped portion. U of the lower body. A U-shaped upper inverted body 240 fits over the contact plate and a U-shaped portion of the lower body which together form an opening for the finger. The posts 242 of the cartridge 232 include an outer groove 244 that forms a flange for coupling the lower body and an upper tapered surface 245 that receives a supporting force to bend the poles inwardly when the cartridge is inserted and removed from the lower body. The pin and ejector support 236 includes a hollow central shaft 246 for receiving a contact pin.

An annular cover 248 on the support 236 has an outer, frusto-conical support surface and an inner annular edge 250. The support 236 sits in a hollow cylindrical section of the nose 251 of the lower body 234. The hollow nose has a groove 252 to receive the lid 248 and the upper section of the posts 242 of the cartridge. The cartridge is inserted into the nose in such a manner that the posts 242 are deflected by a chamfered annular surface 254 in the hollow section of the lower body. The slots 244 on the posts are inserted under pressure on the annular surface 254 in the nose 251. The rim 250 of the lid 248 is contiguous with the tapered upper surfaces 245 of the posts 242 when the lid and the posts of the cartridge are in the slot 252 of the nose 251. The frustoconical upper surfaces of the lid engage an inner surface 253 of the buttons 256. The buttons are on the arms extending downwardly of the U-shaped section of the lower body. When the buttons are pressed together, the buttons force the cover down. The edge of the lid that slides downwards forces the poles in and out on the cartridge. In this way, the cartridge is ejected. FIGURE 31 is a side view of another embodiment of the housing 260 having the leverage eject buttons 262. When the buttons are pressed inward, the arms with the buttons rotate about a reference point 264 between the buttons and the securing ends 266 of the arms. Due to the pivot, the detent ends swing outward and release the cartridge posts (not shown). The buttons and lever arms with locking ends can be molded with the housing to form a unitary plastic housing. FIGURE 32 is a cross-sectional view of a locking element 270 for attaching a cartridge head 272 to a housing 274. The cartridge includes an active electrode and a drug matrix. Which are not shown. FIGURE 32 is a cross-sectional view of a spring clip 276, collar 280, cartridge and a portion of the housing 274. FIGURE 33 is a view with the separate parts of the spring clip, collar and cartridge. FIGURE 34 is a fragmented view of the spring clip, collar and cartridge and FIGURE 35 is a fragmented view of the spring clip, collar and cartridge showing the collar with a tapered inner surface. The spring clip 276 is formed of a flat section of a deformable material, for example a plastic sheet. The spring clip includes a bulbous section with buttons 278 and a collar 280. The spring clip fits into a distal end of the housing 274 such that the buttons are exposed through the housing. The collar 280 sits in an annular recess 279 in the nose of the housing. Seated below the collar 280 are the tapered ends of the posts 282 of the cartridge head. The posts can be easily deformed. The distal end of the housing may be a hollow cylinder 274 that fits snugly around the posts (it should be noted that 274 is representative of the complete housing 260). The cartridge head includes semi-cylindrical walls 284 on either side of the posts 282. The walls provide a support support for the cartridge in the hollow housing cylinder 274. A contact pin 286 extends axially through the collar and the legs. poles to provide an electrical connection between the power supply in the housing and the active electrode in the cartridge. To eject the cartridge, the buttons 278 are pressed together to cause the collar 280 to slide down against the tapered ends of the posts 282. As the posts deviate inward, they clear the rim of the recess 279 in the housing 274 and they are released from the cartridge. To facilitate the insertion of the cartridge, the inner cylindrical wall of the nose can be tapered to engage the tapered surface of the posts 282. The tapered wall 285 (FIG. 35) allows the cartridge to rotate when seated in the nose of the housing. The tapered inner wall of the nose allows the cartridge to rotate a few degrees to prevent ejection of the cartridge when the cap is removed and to facilitate contact between the cartridge and the skin. The invention (s) has (have) been described in connection with what is currently considered to be (are) the most practical (s) and preferred modality (s). It should be understood that the invention should not be limited to the embodiments disclosed and that the invention covers variants of the disclosed embodiments such as where features of one embodiment are combined with features of another embodiment to form a further embodiment of the invention. . It is proposed that the invention cover several modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. An electrokinetic delivery system for the self-administration of a drug to a treatment site on a human individual, the delivery system is characterized in that it comprises: a cartridge applicator device formed in part to conform to at least a portion of a finger of the individual and including a holding device for releasably securing the applicator device to the finger, a power supply or coupling thereto and a tactile electrode; a cartridge that includes a first side to support a medicament, a second side, opposite the first side, which is opposite the applicator device when the cartridge is secured to the applicator device and an active electrode accessible through the second side of the first side, in where the active electrode is in electrical contact with the medicament and the power source when the cartridge is secured to the applicator device, whereby, with the application of the active electrode to the treatment site with a medicament interposed between the active electrode and the site of treatment and the completion of an electrical circuit through the active electrode, the drug or a conductive carrier for it, the treatment site, the individual's body, the tactile electrode and the power supply, the device causes a current electrical flow to drive the drug electrokinetically from the cartridge into the treatment site In this case, and a blocking element carried by one of the cartridge applicator device and the second side of the cartridge and coupled with a locking surface on another of the device and the second side of the cartridge, the blocking element is movable to release the securing between the cartridge applicator device and the cartridge making it possible to release the cartridge from the device.
2. 2. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking element includes at least one post with a flat locking surface and the post engages the other of the device and the second side of the cartridge.
3. 3. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 2, characterized in that the other of the device and the second side of the cartridge includes a surface co-operable with the post.
4. 4. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the second side of the cartridge and the device have co-operable surfaces at least one of which is deformable to be contiguous against the other surface to expel by force the cartridge of the device.
5. 5. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 4, characterized in that the co-operable elements include a pair of elastic posts transported by one of the second side of the cartridge and the device and tapered surfaces carried by the other of the second side of the cartridge and the device.
6. 6. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 5, characterized in that the posts engage the respective locking surfaces on the other side of the second side of the cartridge and the device.
7. 7. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the co-operable elements is movable to allow an insertion of the cartridge in the device.
8. 8. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the cartridge includes a pair of elastic posts that rise on the second side and the device includes a pair of locking surfaces and a pair of tapered surfaces, the posts they engage the locking surfaces to secure the cartridge to the device and are movable against an influence to couple the pair of tapered surfaces making it possible for the cartridge to be ejected by the force of the device.
9. 9. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 8, characterized in that it includes a pair of push buttons on opposite sides of the device to move the poles against the influence to forcibly eject the cartridge from the device. A coupling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element includes an edge having a flange of the lower side on the cartridge and a deformable detent arm having the other surface of the device, wherein the securing arm It deforms as it slides inside the edge and then hooks the edge. 11. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking element includes a post having a flange on the underside serving as the locking surface on the cartridge and a deformable detent arm having the other surface of the device, wherein the sear arm deforms as it slides inside the edge and then engages the edge. 12. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 11, characterized in that the post and the deformable detent arm cooperate to releasably lock the cartridge in the device. 13. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 11, characterized in that the locking element includes at least one post on the cartridge and a deformable detent arm extending from the other surface of the device, wherein the sear arm is deforms as it slides into the edge and then hooks to the edge. 14. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 13, characterized in that the post is a pair of posts on opposite sides of an opening in the cartridge, which exposes the active electrode. 15. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 14, characterized in that the flange on the underside of each post is oriented away from the opening in the cartridge. 16. An electrokinetic delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking element includes a weakening which prevents reuse of the cartridge with the release of the cartridge of the device. 17. An electrokinetic delivery system for the self-administration of a drug to a treatment site on a human individual, the system is characterized in that it comprises: An applicator that includes a power supply or a coupling thereto and a tactile electrode; a cartridge having a first surface for receiving a drug matrix and a second surface facing the applicator when the cartridge is releasably secured to the applicator; a blocking element carried by one of the device and the second surface of the cartridge and coupled with the locking surface on another of the device and the second surface of the cartridge, the element is movable therefrom to release the securing between the device and the cartridge making possible the release of the cartridge of the device, the other of the device and the second surface of the cartridge includes a driving surface co-operable with the element making possible an influence of the element to forcibly eject the cartridge of the device; wherein the cartridge includes an active electrode extending through the second surface and the die, the active electrode in electrical contact with the power supply or a coupling thereto when the cartridge is secured to the device thereby, with the application of the active electrode to the treatment site with a medicine interposed between the active electrode and the treatment site and the completion of an electrical circuit through the active electrode, the drug or a conductive carrier for the same, the treatment site, the body of the individual, the tactile electrode and the power source, the delivery system causes an electrical circuit to flow to electrically drive the cartridge medication into the treatment site. A system according to claim 17, characterized in that the element includes an elastic post carried by one of the second surface of the cartridge and the device and a tapered surface carried by the other of the cartridge and the device making possible the expulsion by the strength of the device cartridge. A system according to claim 18, characterized in that the pole engages one locking surface on the other of the second surface of the cartridge and the device for securing the cartridge and the device to each other and engages the tapered surface carried by the other of the second surface of the cartridge and the device for forcibly ejecting the cartridge from the device with the decoupling of the locking surface. 20. A system according to claim 19, characterized in that the intercoupling element is movable in response to a relative movement of the cartridge and the device toward each other to couple the other of the element enabling the releasable securing of the cartridge and the device between yes.