Transdermal drug delivery apparatus and methods

Abstract

A transdermal drug delivery apparatus includes a housing for being fastened to a user, a microneedle assembly for being engaged against the skin of the user, a first force provider for providing a first force for forcing the microneedle assembly outwardly from the housing and against the skin, a reservoir movably carried by the housing for containing the fluid and for being in fluid communication with the microneedle assembly, and a second force provider for providing a second force for causing at least some of the fluid to flow from the reservoir to the microneedle assembly after the reservoir has moved into fluid communication with the microneedle assembly.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A method of at least partially using a transdermal drug delivery apparatus, the method comprising:
 fastening the transdermal drug delivery apparatus to a user;   engaging a microneedle assembly of the apparatus against skin of the user so that a first force provider of the apparatus forces the microneedle assembly against the skin; and   while the apparatus is fastened to the user and the first force provider is forcing the microneedle assembly against the skin, causing a second force provider of the apparatus to at least indirectly force fluid to flow from a reservoir of the apparatus to the microneedle assembly.   
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein the engaging of the microneedle assembly of the apparatus against the skin is comprised of compressing the first force provider. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein the engaging of the microneedle assembly against the skin occurs prior to the fastening of the apparatus to the user. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 54 , further comprising moving the reservoir into fluid communication with the microneedle assembly, wherein the causing of the second force provider to at least indirectly force the fluid to flow is at least partially responsive to the moving of the reservoir into fluid communication with the microneedle assembly. 
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein:
 the first force provider comprises at least one spring; and   the first force provider forcing the microneedle assembly against the skin is comprised of the at least one spring being compressed and forcing the microneedle assembly against the skin.   
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein:
 the second force provider comprises a second spring; and   the causing of the second force provider of the apparatus to at least indirectly force the fluid to flow is comprised of the second spring expanding.   
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein the causing of the second force provider of the apparatus to at least indirectly force the fluid to flow from the reservoir is comprised of pushing a pushbutton of the apparatus. 
     
     
         61 . The method according to  claim 60 , wherein the pushing of the pushbutton moves the reservoir into fluid communication with the microneedle assembly. 
     
     
         62 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein the second force provider at least indirectly forcing fluid to flow from the reservoir is comprised of the reservoir being at least partially collapsed. 
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the second force provider at least indirectly forcing fluid to flow from the reservoir is comprised of force from at least one expanding spring urging a pushing mechanism against the reservoir. 
     
     
         64 . A method of using a transdermal drug delivery apparatus, the method comprising:
 engaging a microneedle assembly of the apparatus against skin of a user, comprising causing relative movement between a housing of the apparatus and the user; and   then moving a reservoir of the apparatus into fluid communication with the microneedle assembly, comprising moving the reservoir relative to both the housing and the microneedle assembly, wherein   the moving of the reservoir is comprised of pushing a portion of the apparatus that is for moving the reservoir,   the pushing of the portion is comprised of pushing the portion with sufficient force so that at least one connector of the apparatus at least partially releases the portion from the housing in response to the pushing, and   the moving of the reservoir is responsive to the at least one connector of the apparatus at least partially releasing the portion from the housing.   
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein the portion of the apparatus comprises a pushbutton. 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein the at least one connector is a snap-fit connector. 
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein:
 the at least one connector is at least one first connector that comprises a connector part;   the method further comprises the moving of the reservoir being arrested by at least one second connector of the apparatus transitioning from an unconnecting state to a connecting state; and   the at least one second connector also comprises the connector part.