Patent ID: 6264979
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
A transdermal device suitable for administration of a pharmaceutically active agent to the systemic circulation through a de-epithelialized skin lesion, said device including a reservoir for the active agent, said reservoir being selected from the group consisting of an inert porous matrix in which the active agent is dispersed and a chamber containing said agent in a form selected from the group consisting of a solid, an unsaturated solution, a saturated solution, a supersaturated solution and a suspension, said device further including a selective membrane positioned intermediate said reservoir and said de-epithelialized skin so as to be in contact with said de-epithelialized skin when the device is in use, said selective membrane having pores sized so as to block passage of proteolytic enzymes that exude from the de-epithelialized skin while permitting passage of active agent to the skin;wherein said selective membrane is cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, polytetrafluoroethylene, or a swellable hydrogel.