A wireless smart patch for the controlled repetitive transdermal administration of therapeutic agents

摘要

A thermoresistive transdermal drug delivery patch based on a n-alkane wax phase change film is described. A composite structure comprising a screen printed silver chloride heater sandwiched with a wax film loaded with diclofenac was developed and the release characteristics upon heating were investigated. The drug is shown to be immobile within the solid film (off state) but is readily delivered upon heating beyond the transition temperature (37 degrees C). Drug delivery is maintained while the heater is active and terminates upon cooling. The system has been shown to be capable of repetitive on-off cycling with control effected through a Bluetooth connection to a smart phone app with dynamic feedback control/thermoregulation of the patch.