Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A transdermal nicotine delivery device for delivering nicotine over a predetermined administration period and utilizing an in-line adhesive whose adhesive properties are degraded by nicotine comprising, in combination: a) a nicotine reservoir containing nicotine dissolved therein at an initial equilibrated thermodynamic activity less than 1.0 and at which said adhesive retains adhesive properties and at an initial equilibrated loading sufficient to prevent the thermodynamic activity of nicotine in said reservoir from decreasing by more than 75% during said administration period; and b) in-line adhesive means for maintaining said nicotine reservoir in nicotine transmitting relationship to the skin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A transdermal nicotine delivery device for delivering nicotine over a predetermined administration period and utilizing an in-line adhesive whose adhesive properties are degraded by nicotine comprising, in combination: a) a nicotine reservoir containing nicotine dissolved therein at an initial equilibrated thermodynamic activity less than 1.0 and at which said adhesive retains adhesive properties and at an initial equilibrated loading sufficient to prevent the thermodynamic activity of nicotine in said reservoir from decreasing by more than 75% during said administration period; and b) in-line adhesive means for maintaining said nicotine reservoir in nicotine transmitting relationship to the skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said initial equilibrated activity is in the range of 0.05-0.50.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said initial equilibrated activity is in the range of 0.20-0.40.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for transdermally administering nicotine from a nicotine delivery device utilizing an in-line adhesive, said device comprising nicotine dissolved in a reservoir at a concentration less than saturation and in-line adhesive means for maintaining said reservoir in nicotine transmitting relationship to the skin, the adhesive properties of said adhesive being degraded by nicotine, which method comprises: a) applying said device to the skin of a subject when the thermodynamic activity of said nicotine in said reservoir is less than 1.0 and at which said adhesive retains adhesive properties; and b) removing said device from the skin before the activity of the nicotine in the reservoir has decreased by more than 75%.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for transdermally administering nicotine from a nicotine delivery device utilizing an in-line adhesive, said device comprising nicotine dissolved in a reservoir at a concentration less than saturation and in-line adhesive means for maintaining said reservoir in nicotine transmitting relationship to the skin, the adhesive properties of said adhesive being degraded by nicotine, which method comprises: a) applying said device to the skin of a subject when the thermodynamic activity of said nicotine in said reservoir is less than 1.0 and at which said adhesive retains adhesive properties; and b) removing said device from the skin before the activity of the nicotine in the reservoir has decreased by more than 75%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the activity when applied is in the range of 0.05-0.50.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the activity when applied is in the range of 0.20-0.40.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a transdermal nicotine delivery device for delivering nicotine during a predetermined administration period comprising an agent reservoir containing nicotine dissolved therein at a concentration less than saturation with an in-line adhesive disposed in the path of nicotine migration to the skin, the adhesive properties of said adhesive being degraded by nicotine, the improvement comprising: a) the initial equilibrated activity of nicotine in said reservoir is less than 1.0 and at which said adhesive retains adhesive properties; and b) the initial equilibrated loading of nicotine in said reservoir is sufficient to prevent the activity of nicotine from decreasing by more than 75% during said administration period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a transdermal nicotine delivery device for delivering nicotine during a predetermined administration period comprising an agent reservoir containing nicotine dissolved therein at a concentration less than saturation with an in-line adhesive disposed in the path of nicotine migration to the skin, the adhesive properties of said adhesive being degraded by nicotine, the improvement comprising: a) the initial equilibrated activity of nicotine in said reservoir is less than 1.0 and at which said adhesive retains adhesive properties; and b) the initial equilibrated loading of nicotine in said reservoir is sufficient to prevent the activity of nicotine from decreasing by more than 75% during said administration period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said initial equilibrated activity is in the range of 0.05-0.50.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said initial equilibrated activity is in the range of 0.20-0.40.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the initial equilibrated activity of nicotine is no greater than 0.50.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the activity of the nicotine in the reservoir at the time the device is applied is no greater than 0.50.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved device of claim 7 wherein the initial equilibrated activity of nicotine is no greater than 0.50.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said administration period is 24 hours.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the administration period is 16 hours.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said administration period is 24 hours.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the administration period is 16 hours.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improved device of claim 7 wherein said administration period is 24 hours.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improved device of claim 7 wherein said administration period is 16 hours.