Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A self-contained electrically powered drug application for the migration of medicament through the skin (18) into the blood stream of a patient comprising: reservoir means (24) containing said medicament forming a first electrode, battery means (28) for charging/driving the medicament, means (12) for covering comprising an electrically conductive material for partially enclosing at least said reservoir means (24) leaving a side of said reservoir means (24) exposed for contacting the skin (18), said cover means (12), being electrically connected to said battery means (28), and having a lip (16) defining the periphery of said applicator and forming a second electrode for making contact with said skin (18) when mounted on said skin (18) leaving at least said reservoir means (24) fully enclosed, an electrically conductive adhesive material (36) coating disposed on at least the underside of said lip (16), and indicator means (50) for indicating delivery of said medicament to the patient, whereby when said applicator is adhered to said skin (18) a complete electrical circuit between said first and second electrodes and through said skin (18) is formed so as to drive said medicament out of said reservoir means (24) and through said skin (18) into the blood stream of said patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
The applicator according to claim 1, further comprising means in said circuit for maintaining a specific constant current flow, and wherein said medicament migrates at a specific rate of current flow, whereby the patient is provided with an indication that the medicament is being administered at said rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said indicator means (50) is a light-emitting device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The applicator of claim 1, characterized in that said indicator means (50) is an LCD.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The applicator of claim 1, characterized in that said indicator means (60) includes electrically conductive polymeric layers (61, 62) defining a resservoir (63) therebetween, and a color changing material (64) selected from the group consisting of an electrochemically phototropic material and an electrochromic material disposed in said reservoir (60), whereby with current flow, the color changing material undergoes a change visible to the patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The applicator of claim 5, characterized by non-conductive spacer means (65) in said reservoir (60) and between said conductive polymeric layers (61, 62) to prevent contact of said conductive polymeric layers (61, 62).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The applicator of claim 6, characterized in that said non-conductive spacer means (65) is a unilayer of silica particulates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The applicator of claim 5, characterized in that at least one polymeric layer (61, 62) has a transparent portion so that the color changing material is visible to the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The applicator of claim 1, characterized in that said indicator means is an appearance change device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The applicator of claim 1, characterized in that said indicator means is a color change device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The applicator of claim 1, characterized by a semi-permeable membrane on the side of said reservoir means facing said skin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The applicator of claim 1, characterized by insulating means in said applicator for electrically insulating said electrodes from each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The applicator of anyone of claims 1 to 12, characterized by including an extra electrode (84) in a feedback loop with said electrical circuit for sensing a predetermined chemical in said body and providing a control signal for regulating the drug dosage at a desired level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The applicator of claim 13, characterized in that said extra electrode (84) is enclosed by said cover means (12) and is disposed at said lip (16).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The applicator of claim 14, characterized in that said extra electrode (84) comprises a probe (86) having a predetermined ion specific electrode or enzyme coating on the surface of said electrode portion which is in contact with the skin (18) of said patient.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The applicator of claim 15, characterized in that said extra electrode (84) is disposed in said lip (16) at a sufficient distance so as not to electrically interfere with the electrical circuitry of said applicator (10).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The applicator of claim 16, characterized in that said distance is such that said lip means (16) extends outwardly and protrudes beyond the basic shape and configuration of said applicator (10).