Another patent granted

The company's patent application for "Method and Device for Transdermal Delivery of Substances" was accepted by the Australian Intellectual Property Office on 7 June 2016.

Some selected quotes from the invention description below:


[0006] The present invention seeks to provide an improved delivery device for active agents that have, for example, a pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biopharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, colouring, filling, plumping, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle agents, moisturising, humectant, detergent, cleansing, bleaching, dying, fragrance, conditioning, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antifungal, or anti-parasitic activity, wherein the user-friendly device increases the penetration of these agents into skin and other tissues of the integumentary system.

[0007] The invention relates to a delivery device for liquid, paste, flowable or free- flowing materials. Delivery devices for such materials, which may also include solids, semi-solids, gels, powdery material and material mixtures, are especially useful in the cosmetic and medical sectors. Such delivery devices should be capable of being manufactured as cost-effectively as possible on the one hand, and on the other hand be reliable and easy to use..

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Active agents

[00059] Suitable active agent(s) that can be delivered by the invention include any active agent(s) exhibiting negative magnetic susceptibility and any active agent(s) having therapeutic, cosmetic, restorative, antimicrobial, antifungal, cleaning or disinfectant beneficial properties when administered to a surface as described herein. When the invention is employed to assist in the passage of active agents across a biological barrier such as such as skin the class of active agents, include, for example, proteins, peptides, nucleotides, anti-obesity drugs, corticosteroids, analgesics, anti-fungal agents, oncology therapies, cardiovascular agents, anti-inflammatory agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, anti-arrhythmic agents, antibiotics, anticoagulants, antidepressants, antidiabetic agents, antiepileptics, antihistamines, anti-hypertension agents, antineoplastic agents, immunosuppressants, anti-thyroid agents, antiviral agents, sedatives, astringents, beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents, diuretics, muscle reactants, prostaglandins, sex hormones, anti-allergic agents, stimulants, vasodilators, xanthenes, antioxidants, vitamins, nutrients, skin restorative agents, hair care or restorative agents and those active agents delivered as
nutraceuticals, cosmeceutical or cosmetics to or through a biological barrier such as skin.

[00060] More specific groups of active agents that may be delivered by the device of the present invention include: colouring agents including coloured cosmetics, concealing agents, skin whitening agents, tanning agents; cleaning agents including exfoliants, dermabrasives, anti-bacterials, anti-fungals, sloughing agents, pore treatment agents, oils, creams, gels and serums; moisturising agents, rehydrating agents and skin nourish agents; skin treatment agents for inflammation, redness, pimples and bacterial infections; antiperspirants, deodorants, and perfumes; fillers, plumping agents and agents that alter the skin's topography; anti-inflammatory agents, analgesic agents and anaesthetic agents

[00061] Non-limiting examples of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical active agents which could be delivered to the skin using the device of the present invention include:
a) steroids such as sulfonamides, triamcinolone, betamethasone, budesonide, cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone sodium phosphate, fluorometholone, rimexolone, medrysone alcohol, 11 -desoxcortisol, and anecortave acetate and the like
b) anti-inflammatory agents such as hormonal agents, clobetasol, dexamethasone, acetyl salicylic acid, glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhetic acid, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, prednisone, non-hormonal agents, allopurinol, aspirin, indomethacin, phenylbutazone and the like;
c) antibiotics such as the cephalosporins, chloranphenical, gentamicin, Kanamycin A, Kanamycin B, the penicillins, ampicillin, streptomycin A, antimycin A, chloropamtheniol, metromidazole, oxytetracycline penicillin G, the tetacyclines and the like;
d) anti-acne agents, such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide;
e) antimicrobial or antifungal agents such as, for example, caprylyl glycol, triclosan, phenoxyethanol, erythromycin, tolnaftate, nystatin or clortrimazole;
f) chelating agents, such as EDTA and the like;
g) topical analgesics, such as benzocaine, tetracaine, lidocaine or procaine and the like;
h) peptides with either therapeutic benefit or cosmetic benefit comprising between two and 20 amino acid residues, preferably, between three and 10 amino acid residues (cosmetic peptides such as palmitoyl pentapeptide or argireljne which have beneficial effect on skin cells eg whitening, free- radical scavenging, anti-aging, stimulation of collagen synthesis, moisturizing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or anti-irritant) and the like.

[00062] Non-limiting examples of neutraceutical active agents which could be delivered to the skin using the device of the present invention include:
a) Vitamins and nutrients including essential amino acids and the like;
b) Electrolyte replacements such as potassium chloride and the like;
c) Antioxidants or free-radical scavengers: such as ascorbic acid, its fatty esters and phosphates, tocopherol and its derivatives, N-acetyl cysteine, sorbic acid and lipoic acid and the like;

[00063] Non-limiting examples of cosmetic active agents which could be delivered to the skin using the device of the present invention include:
a) Moisturising agents and emollients: occlusive agents e.g. hydrocarbons such as petrolatum, silicone containing agents such as dimethicone, cyclomethicone, fatty acids and alcohols such as lanolin acid or alcohol, sterols such as cholesterol, waxes and fats such as cocoa butter, carnuba wax and bees wax; humectants e.g. glycosamines such as hyaluronic acid, glycerine, honey, urea, lactic acid, a-hydroxy acids, propylene glycol etc;
b) Anti-aging compounds: such as retinoids or hydroxy acids;
c) Deodorants: including alcohol based deodorants; deodorants containing antimicrobial agents such as triclosan or metal chelating agents; perfumes and essential oils;
d) Antiperspirants: including aluminium based compounds such as aluminium chloride, aluminium chlorohydrate, and aluminium-zirconium compounds (aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly and aluminium zirconium trichlorohydrex gly); potassium alum and ammonium alum;
e) Fragrances: such as essential oils, musk, alcohols (eg furaneol, menthol), esters (eg fructone, ethyl methylphenylglycidate), ketones (eg dihydrojasmone), lactones (eg coconut odour, jasmine lactone);
f) Astringents: such as clove oil, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, eugenol, menthyl lactate, witch hazel distillate, aluminium based compounds and the like;
g) Skin lightening agents: such as liquorice, ascorbyl phosphates, hydroquinone or kojic acid and the like;
h) Sun protecting agents (organic or inorganic): such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, octylmethoxycinnamate, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide;
i) Exfoliating agents (chemical or physical): such as N-acetyl glucosamine, mannose phosphate, hydroxy acids, lactobionic acid, peach kernels, or sea salts and the like;
j) Self-tanning agents: such as dihydroxyacetone;
k) Colouring agents for skin and mucosal surfaces;

I) Plumping agents and fillers: such as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate.
m) Other agents such as aloe vera.

[00064] Additional agents that could be delivered to the skin surfaces include additional nutritional type ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, vitamin E, and folic acid; sensate ingredients, such as those providing cooling (such as menthol), tingle, or heat sensations (such as capsaicin or capsicum oil); colorants or other aesthetic agents; and combinations thereof. Essential oils may also be delivered by the present invention, such as oils of lavender, rose, rosemary, spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, eucalyptus, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange.

[00065] The above list of active agent(s) may be applied in a controlled manner, using the method of the present invention. This list is not exhaustive. Preferably, any active agent(s) that can be delivered systemically or topically can potentially be delivered using the present invention.

[00066] The active agent may be in the form of a solid, gel, paste, liquid, thermo-reversible gel or paste, etc.

[00067] While the active agent(s) may be provided and used alone with the device, in many situations the active agent will be included in a formulation either alone or in combination with one or more other active agents. Where the formulation is to provide a pharmaceutical and/or biopharmaceutical benefit, the number of active agent(s) included in the formulation may preferentially be quite selective. Where the formulation provides a nutraceuticals, cosmetic and/or cosmeceutical effect, the number of active agents may be much greater in number.
[00068] The formulation employed in the delivery process may include additives such as other buffers, diluents, carriers, adjuvants or excipients. Any pharmacologically acceptable buffer that is magnetically inert or neutral or which has a magnetic susceptibility that is either paramagnetic in nature or greater than that of the active agent(s) being delivered, may be used, e.g., tris or phosphate buffers. Other agents may be employed in the formulation for a variety of purposes. For example, buffering agents, preservatives, co-solvents, surfactants, oils, humectants, emollients, chelating agents, stabilizers or antioxidants may be employed. Water soluble preservatives which may be employed include, but are not limited to, benzalkonium chloride, chlorobutanol, thimerosal, sodium bisulfate, phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric nitrate, ethyl alcohol, methylparaben, polyvinyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and phenylethyl alcohol. A surfactant may be Tween 80. Other vehicles that may be used include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, poloxamers, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, purified water, etc. Tonicity adjustors may be included, for example, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, mannitol, glycerin, etc. Antioxidants include, but are not limited to, sodium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulfate, acetylcysteine, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, etc.
[00069] The indications, effective doses, contra-indications, vendors etc, of the active agents in the formulations are available or are known to one skilled in the art.

[00070] The active agents may be present in individual amounts of from about 0.001 to about 5% by weight and preferably about 0.01% to about 2% by weight. However, it is contemplated that the active agents may be present in individual amounts greater than this, for example up to 100%.