Drug delivery device

Abstract

A novel device and method for intradermal delivery of an active agent is provided. The device comprises a housing which contains a reservoir chamber. A flexible reservoir containing the active agent is placed in the chamber. Upon pressure on an actuator the active agents is delivered via a hollow needle to the skin.

1 . A reservoir for carrying an active agent, said reservoir comprising a fillable bladder of thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       2 . A reservoir according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is color coded to a specific drug.  
   
   
       3 . A reservoir according to  claim 1 , wherein the bladder has a capacity of about 0.2 to 10 ml.  
   
   
       4 . A reservoir according to  claim 3 , wherein the bladder has a capacity of about 0.3 to 6 ml.  
   
   
       5 . A reservoir according to  claim 4 , wherein the bladder has a capacity of about 0.5 to 3 ml.  
   
   
       6 . A method of manufacturing a reservoir as defined in  claim 1 , comprising the steps of: 
 i. providing at least one sheet having a depression formed therein and facing that sheet with a second sheet.    
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of: 
 i. filling the bubble with a fluid drug; and    ii. sealing the bubble.    
   
   
       8 . A device for delivery of a fluid drug to an animal, said device comprising: 
 i. a housing having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end having an aperture therein and said upper end being associated with an actuator;    ii. a reservoir chamber disposed within the housing and operatively linked to the actuator, said reservoir chamber comprising a base and wall(s);    iii. a flexible reservoir, filled with the fluid drug, disposed within the reservoir chamber; and    iv. a needle mounted so as to transverse the base of said chamber such that a back of the needle is in communication with the chamber and a tip of the needle extends in the housing below the chamber.    
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein the reservoir chamber is located at a predetermined distance from the lower end of the housing whereby abutment of the base of the chamber to the lower end of the housing acts as a stop to provide a predetermined length of travel of the needle through the aperture when the actuator is activated.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the length of travel of the needle is from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the length of travel of the needle is from about 1.5 mm to about 8 mm.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the length of travel of the needle is from about 3 mm to about 8 mm.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 8  wherein the actuator is a plunger comprising a plunger rod having an activation flange at one end and a stopper at the other end.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 8  further comprising biasing means to retain the needle with the housing in the absence of pressure on the drive mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 14  wherein the biasing means comprises an air bladder.  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 14  wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 16  wherein the spring is disposed below the base of the reservoir chamber.  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the spring is associated with the actuator.  
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 8  further including a piercable septum covering said aperture.  
   
   
       20 . A method of administering a fluid drug through the skin of an animal, said method comprising: 
 i. providing a device as defined in  claim 8;     ii. applying the lower surface of the device to the skin;    iii. exerting pressure on the drive mechanism thereby lowering the reservoir chamber and causing the needle tip to travel through the aperture and into the skin a predetermined distance; and    iv. applying continued pressure on the drive mechanism to cause the upper end of the needle to pierce the reservoir and the contents of the reservoir to flow through the needle into the skin.    
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the tip of needle is limited to travel a depth of 1.5 to 8 mm.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the needle travel is from about 1.5 to 3 mm.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the needle travel is from about 3 to 5 mm.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the needle travel is from about 5 to 8 mm.  
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 20  further comprising the step of retracting the needle back into the housing after use.  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25  whereby the step of retracting is done by biasing means automatically upon release of pressure on the drive mechanism.  
   
   
       27 . A device for delivering an active agent to the skin, said device comprising: 
 i. a housing;    ii. a reservoir chamber releasably positioned in said housing, said reservoir chamber adapted to receive a reservoir containing the active agent;    iii. at least one needle having an upper opening and a lower opening defining a cannula transversing the base of the reservoir chamber; and    iv. actuator means for moving said chamber downward within said housing.    
   
   
       28 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein said reservoir chamber further comprises latch means for retaining said chamber in an upward position in the housing, said latch means adapted for release upon downward pressure on the actuator.  
   
   
       29 . A device according to  claim 28 , wherein said latch means includes a tab and notch for connection to the actuator.  
   
   
       30 . A device according to  claim 29 , wherein said actuator includes at least one notch for receiving a tab on said latch means.  
   
   
       31 . A device according to  claim 29 , wherein said actuator includes an upper notch and a lower notch.  
   
   
       32 . A device according to  claim 29 , wherein said upper notch receives said tab to lock said needle in a retracted position.