Cartridge portion of transdermal drug delivery apparatus and methods

Abstract

A cartridge, which may be suitable for use as a portion of a transdermal drug delivery apparatus, may include a body at least partially defining an interior for containing fluid for being delivered by the transdermal drug delivery apparatus. The body may also at least partially define first and second openings to the interior of the body, wherein the first and second openings are respectively proximate opposite first and second ends of the body. The cartridge may also include a self-sealing member at least partially closing the first opening, and a movable member at least partially closing the second opening, wherein at least a portion of the movable member is for being urged into the interior of the body for increasing pressure within the interior of the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge for supplying fluid in a transdermal drug delivery apparatus, the cartridge comprising:
 a body at least partially defining   an interior for containing the fluid,   a first cavity including a cylindrical section and a frustoconical section, the cylindrical section tapering to the frustoconical section,   a second cavity,   a passageway connected between the cylindrical section of the first cavity and the second cavity, and   first and second openings to the interior of the body, wherein the first and second openings are respectively defined by opposite first and second ends of the body, wherein the first opening is contiguous with the first cavity, and the second opening is contiguous with the second cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , further comprising a self-sealing member mounted proximate a first end of the body for closing the first opening. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , further comprising a movable member mounted proximate a second end of the body for closing the second opening. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge according to  claim 3 , wherein the movable member comprises a deformable membrane, wherein at least a portion of the deformable membrane is configured for being urged into the interior of the body for increasing pressure within the interior of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge according to  claim 4 , wherein the deformable membrane is a flexible membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second cavity is at least partially defined by a substantially concave wall; and   the passageway is open proximate a central portion of the substantially concave wall.   
     
     
         7 . A cartridge for supplying fluid in a transdermal drug delivery apparatus, the cartridge comprising:
 a body including a substantially concave wall, wherein
 the substantially concave wall at least partially defines an interior of the body for containing the fluid, 
 the body at least partially defines a first cavity including a cylindrical section and a frustoconical section, the cylindrical section tapering to the frustoconical section, a second cavity, and a passageway connected between the cylindrical section of the first cavity and the second cavity, 
 the body at least partially defines opposite first and second openings to the interior of the body, wherein the first opening is contiguous with the first cavity, and the second opening is contiguous with the second cavity, and 
 the second opening is proximate the substantially concave wall. 
   
     
     
         8 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , further comprising a self-sealing member mounted proximate a first end of the body for closing the first opening. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , further comprising a movable member mounted proximate a second end of the body for closing the second opening. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the substantially concave wall is a substantially bowl-shaped wall; and   the passageway is open proximate a central portion of the substantially bowl-shaped wall.   
     
     
         11 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a first connector part extending outwardly from the body for moving with the body, and   a second connector part extending outwardly from the body for moving with the body,   wherein the first and second connector parts are spaced apart from one another along a length of the body.   
     
     
         12 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an outwardly oriented first connector part configured for moving with the body, and   an outwardly oriented second connector part configured for moving with the body,   wherein the first and second connector parts are spaced apart from one another along a length of the body.   
     
     
         13 . The cartridge according to  claim 12 , wherein each of the first and second connector parts is a snap-fit connector part. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first connector part extends outwardly relative to the body, and   the second connector part extends outwardly relative to the body.   
     
     
         15 . A cartridge for supplying fluid in a transdermal drug delivery apparatus, the cartridge comprising:
 a body at least partially defining   an interior for containing the fluid,   a first cavity including a cylindrical section and a frustoconical section, the cylindrical section tapering to the frustoconical section,   a second cavity,   a passageway connected between the cylindrical section of the first cavity and the second cavity, and   first and second openings to the interior of the body, wherein the first and second openings are respectively defined by opposite first and second ends of the body, wherein the first opening is contiguous with the first cavity, and the second opening is contiguous with the second cavity;   a first closure mounted proximate a first end of the body for closing the first opening; and   a second closure mounted proximate a second end of the body for closing the second opening.   
     
     
         16 . The cartridge according to  claim 15 , wherein the first closure comprises a self-sealing member. 
     
     
         17 . The cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the self-sealing member is a self-sealing septum. 
     
     
         18 . The cartridge according to  claim 15 , wherein the second closure comprises a movable member. 
     
     
         19 . The cartridge according to  claim 18 , wherein the movable member comprises a deformable member, wherein at least a portion of the deformable membrane is configured for being urged into the interior of the body for increasing pressure within the interior of the body. 
     
     
         20 . The cartridge according to  claim 19 , wherein the deformable membrane is a flexible membrane.