Substance delivery device

Abstract

A system being suitable for being secured substantially adjacent to a surface of a subject so as to effect delivery of at least one substance through the surface and into the subject. The system includes at least one aperture for receiving at least one ultrasonic transmission. The at least one substance is releasably secured substantially adjacent to the at least one aperture. A sonic member is disposed with respect to the at least one aperture so as to communicate the at least one transmission to the at least one substance so as to effect the delivery of the at least one substance through the surface of the subject.

1 . A system being suitable for being secured substantially adjacent to a surface of a subject so as to effect delivery of at least one substance through said surface and into said subject comprising: 
 at least one aperture for receiving at least one ultrasonic transmission, said at least one substance being releasably secured substantially adjacent to said at least one aperture; and,    a sonic member disposed with respect to said at least one aperture so as to communicate said at least one transmission to said at least one substance so as to effect said delivery of said at least one substance through said surface of said subject.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one ultrasonic transducer suitable for being positioned substantially adjacent to said aperture so as to emit ultrasonic transmissions through said aperture, and wherein a replaceable cap includes said substance, aperture and sonic member.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said transducer comprises a plurality of transducer elements.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said replaceable cap further comprises a pad substantially containing said substance and is positioned substantially between said aperture and sonic member.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sonic member comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of saran and mylar.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said pad comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of cotton, cellulose and nylon.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a housing defining said aperture, coupled to said sonic member and adapted to receive said pad in a snap -in manner.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a semi-permeable film positioned substantially adjacent to said pad and forming an ultrasonically activated normally closed valving function to control delivery of said at least one substance through said surface of said subject.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein activation of said transducer causes said substance to pass through said sonic member and pool upon said surface.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said transducer and cap may be worn on said surface.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said system is as least partially secured to said surface.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising an ultrasonic transducer driver for selectively activating said transducer according to at least one dosing requirement.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said ultrasonic transmission comprises an approximately 20 to an approximately 30 kHz, approximately 125 to approximately 225 mW/cm signal.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said cap is removably coupled to said transducer.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said cap screws or snaps to said transducer.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said transducer comprises a groove for facilitating securing said cap to said transducer.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said cap further comprises inner and outer rings coupled to one another, wherein said inner ring includes a projection suitable for mating with said groove in said transducer.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said cap comprises a pad substantially containing said substance, and said cap compresses said pad against said transducer.  
   
   
       19 . A system being suitable for being secured substantially adjacent to a surface of a subject so as to effect delivery of at least one substance through said surface and into said subject comprising: 
 a transducer housing;    a plurality of ultrasonic emitters in said transducer housing;    a cap defining at least one aperture for receiving emissions from said elements;    a pad releasably securing said at least one substance substantially adjacent to said at least one aperture within said cap; and,    a sonic member disposed with respect to said at least one aperture so as to communicate said emissions to said at least one pad so as to effect said delivery of said at least one substance through said surface of said subject.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein when said cap is secured to said transducer and said system is secured to said surface, said substance is secured by said pad substantially adjacent to said surface.