Patent ID: 8353863

Claim:
A device for subcutaneous delivery of therapeutic agents in solid form, the device comprising: an elongated rigid shaft having a proximal and distal end; the rigidity of the shaft allowing the shaft to be advanced through skin using a sticking motion of the shaft towards the skin; and a skin penetrating element detachably coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the skin penetrating element having a proximal and distal end, at least a portion of the skin penetrating element comprising a solid form therapeutic agent composition; wherein the skin penetrating element has a shape configured to penetrate and lodge beneath the skin of a patient when inserted through the skin by force applied from the shaft during the sticking motion of the shaft and to detach from the shaft and remain when the shaft is pulled away from the skin; wherein a portion of the shaft that is extended from the skin of the patient when the skin penetrating element is lodged beneath the skin is structured to include a sub-portion, apart from a remainder of the shaft, that is grippable by fingers; and wherein the solid form therapeutic agent composition in the detached skin penetrating element is configured to dissolve in body tissue and be absorbed into the blood stream of the patient so as to produce a therapeutic effect in the patient; and wherein the shaft includes a depth control feature for controlling the depth of penetration of the skin penetrating element into tissue.