WO2018125037A1

WO2018125037A1 - Medical marijuana patch

Info

Publication number: WO2018125037A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/068665
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Garland
Original assignee: John Garland
Priority date: 2016-12-27
Filing date: 2016-12-27
Publication date: 2018-07-05

Abstract

An apparatus in the form of a patch to efficiently store cannabinoids and control the flow of cannabis chemicals into the bloodstream of a user. The patch may have an adhesive and medication reservoir. The patch may function as a peel and stick medication patch. The medication reservoir may be sealed with a peel away protective covering. The patch may have a permeation enhancer for allowing penetration of the active ingredients such as THC and CBD through a user's skin. An image of a marijuana leaf may be presented on the outside of the patch.

Description

MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATCH

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of transdermal administration of a substance and more specifically relates to patch attachable to the skin of a user that may deliver an effective dosage of cannabis to a user's bloodstream.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0001] Cannabinoids are a class of diverse chemical compounds obtained from cannabis plants. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a principal cannabinoid used for number of medical applications. The cannabinoids are known to have wide therapeutic values and have been used in treatments of number of disease & disorders. Commonly, medical cannabinoids are prescribed for reduction of nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, to improve appetite in persons with HIV/ AIDS, and to treat chronic pain and muscle spasms.

[0002] Cannabis, also known as marijuana, may be consumed in multiple forms, such as smoking or oral ingestion. Marijuana refers to dried leaves, stems, and flowers from a cannabis sativa plant which are often rich in THC. Marijuana is smoked and consumed throughout the world. Although Marijuana has a number of medical applications, smoking marijuana may harm the lungs. Common side effects include coughing, production of sputum, wheezing, and symptoms similar to chronic bronchitis.

[0003] Cannabis is becoming a widely accepted drug for treating a wide variety of illnesses, and even for recreational use. Unfortunately, the lack of research to support the harmful effects of smoking cannabis for the lungs has lead many people to disregard the potential harm. Also, there is limited research about the long term effects of the consumption of cannabis. As more documentation and research is completed on cannabis, it is widely thought to show some lasting harmful effects. Thus, there is a need for an improved delivery system for cannabinoids into the body that prevent the harmful effects caused by eating or smoking the cannabis plant parts.

[0004] Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Patent No. 6,113,940 to Lawrence L. Brooke et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,328,992 to Lawrence L. Brooke et al; U.S. Patent No. 8,449,908 to Audra L. Stinchcomb et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,132,762 to Walter Cristobal; and 9,375,417 to Nicole Smith et al. This art is representative of transdermal cannabinoid delivery devices. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

[0005] Ideally, a transdermal cannabinoid patch should provide means to efficiently store cannabinoid and control the flow of cannabis chemicals into the bloodstream of a user, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable transdermal patch to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known cannabinoid utilization device art, the present invention provides a novel transdermal patch (Entitled Medical Marijuana Patch). The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a cannabinoid patch that may be easily applied and recognized by a user.

[0007] The present invention may provide an easily recognizable and easily attachable patch that may assist in transporting an active ingredient of a medication into the bloodstream of a user. The present invention may provide a means to prevent problems associated with common drug delivery systems by delivering cannabinoids transdermally. The present invention may avoid potential harmful side effects associated with consumption of cannabinoids via avoiding the gastrointestinal tract of a user.

[0008] The skin is the largest organ of a person and can protect the body, regenerate, and provide essential permeation. In order to pass through the skin layers of the skin the present invention may provide a permeation enhancer. The permeation enhancer may act a solvent that may be included within a composition of the cannabinoids, which may act together as a medication and a substance delivery means.

[0009] A perosn's body may heat activate the present invention, prompting it to begin releasing medication through the skin and into the bloodstream. Once the cannabinoids reach the blood and circulatory system, they may be carried throughout a person's body. In this manner, the medication may bypass the liver's metabolic activity, and thus may effect the functioning of the liver less.

[00010] In comparison to pill, powders, and liquid medications, the present invention may also supply a gradual and constant supply of medication rather than in large doses. The present invention may also be painless and easily attached to the skin of user.

[00011] The present invention may provide a simple peel and stick means that both keep the cannabinoids concealed and provide a ready to apply adhesive. The adhesive may reside directly outside an absorptive surface that holds the medication. Once a protective covering is peeled away, the adhesive may be applied to a user's skin via a pressure sensitive material.

[00012] Another aspect of the invention provides a means to visually show that the patch contains cannabinoids. As such, a user may have basic knowledge of the contents of the present invention prior to use.

[00013] The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a Medical Marijuana Patch. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00014] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, transdermal patch, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

[00015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a transdermal patch in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[00016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view illustrating a top surface partially removed from a bottom surface of a backing layer of a transdermal patch according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[00017] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view illustrating a top surface of a backing layer of a transdermal patch according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[00018] FIG. 4 shows a top view illustrating a top surface of a backing layer of a transdermal patch according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. [00019] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00020] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a transdermal administration of a substance and more particularly to a transdermal patch (Entitled Medical Marijuana Patch) as used to improve the transition of cannabinoids to a user in a safe and easily applicable manner.

[00021] Generally speaking, the present invention may provide a recognizable and easily attachable patch that may transport a medication across the skin and into the bloodstream of a user. The present invention may easily attach to the skin of a user via a peel and stick adhesive portion surrounding an absorbent material reservoir holding cannabinoids.

[00022] The present invention may be convenient and non-invasive in comparison to consumption of pills and injection. With a press of a user's hand, the present invention may be applied to the user's skin, worn for a prescribed period of time, and easily removed. A user may remove and replace the present invention without need of assistance by a doctor or other person.

[00023] The present invention may provide a means to prevent problems associated with common drug delivery systems by delivering cannabinoids transdermally. The present invention may avoid harmful side effects associated with consumption of cannabinoids via avoiding the gastrointestinal tract of a user. Also, the cannabinoids may be supplied at a constant rate rather than in a single large dosage which occurs when consuming pills or receiving injections. [00024] Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a primary embodiment of the present invention showing a transdermal patch 102 correctly configured on a user's arm. The primary embodiment of the present invention may comprise a backing layer 106, and a protective covering 230.

[00025] The backing layer 106 may function as an attachable and detachable patch. The backing layer 106 may comprise a top surface 210, a bottom surface 108, at least one outer edge 214, and at least one medication 218. In order to correctly attach the present invention onto a user's 140 skin, the top surface 210 may be positioned facing the skin of a user 140. A user may grasp the bottom surface 108 by hand in order to apply the present invention to the skin.

[00026] The protective covering 230 may be disposed adjacent to the top surface 210 of the backing layer 106. The protective covering 230 may be peeled from the top surface 210 by hand of a user 140.

[00027] When the protective covering 230 is removed, the backing layer 106 may be placed on specific areas of a user's 140 body as directed by a physician. The backing layer 106 may be placed on the skin above the deltoid muscle of a user 140, as shown in FIG 1. Alternatively, the backing layer may be safely placed on a plurality of different locations on a user's 140 skin.

[00028] The at least one medication 218 of the backing layer 106 may be disposed upon a center portion of the top surface 210. The center portion of the top surface 210 may comprise a reservoir useful for suspending at least one medication 218 such as a cannabinoid there within. The reservoir may be comprise materials including but not limited to a film, a matrix, or a vacuity. The center portion of the top surface 210 may be placed against a user's 140 skin in order for the medication 218 to be released into the skin of the user 140.

[00029] Referring now to FIG 2., a transdermal patch 102 showing the protective covering 230 partially removed from the backing layer 106. A user 140 may grip an edge of the backing layer 106 in order to begin peeling the backing layer 106 from the protective covering 230. The removal of the protective covering 230 may be accomplished in a similar fashion to the removal of a conventional peel and stick sticker or label backing.

[00030] As shown in FIG 2., the outer edge 214 of the backing layer 106 may reside adjacent to a not stick portion of the protective covering 230 which may mirror the form of the outer edge 214. The medication 218 of the backing layer 106 may reside adjacent to a portion of the protective covering 230 which may mirror the form of the reservoir of the center portion of the top surface 210. The protective covering 230 may provide protection for the backing layer 106 from debris, and may also seal and prevent leakage the medication 218.

[00031] Referring now to FIG. 3, showing the top surface 210 of the backing layer 106 of the transdermal patch 102. The outer edge 214 may includes four outer edges forming a rectangular shape. The outer edge 214 may provide an adhesive portion around the exterior perimeter of the center portion of the top surface 210. The adhesive portion may be compatible with cannabinoids, and may not prevent the permeation of cannabis into the patients skin. The adhesive may seal and attach the medication 218 adjacent to a user's skin such that the medication 218 may not evaporate or leak from the present invention.

[00032] The medication 218 disposed at the reservoir of the center portion of the top surface 210 may further comprise an active ingredient chosen from a group of active ingredients consisting of cannabinol, cannabidiol, nabilone, levonantradol, (-)-HU-210, (+)- HU-210, l l-hydroxy-A⁹-THC, A⁸-THC-11-oic acid, CP55,940, and R(+)-WIN 55,212-2. The active ingredient may be useful for providing an effective ingredient of the medication 218.

[00033] The at least one medication 218 may comprise a cannabinoid structure containing active ingredients at different concentrations including THC and CBD. The medication 218 may comprise cannabinoids which may contain marijuana in varying degrees of concentration and form. The marijuana may be pulverized, and may also comprise marijuana parts and leaves which may be pulverized in order to effectively incorporate marijuana onto the reservoir of the center portion of the top surface 210 of the backing layer 106.

[00034] The at least one medication 218 may be provided in a gel, liquid, oil, or saturated solids form. The at least one medication 218 may also comprise a permeation enhancer adapted to increase the permeation of the cannabinoids through the user's 140 skin. The permeation enhancer may act a solvent that may be included within a composition of the cannabinoids, which together may act as a medication and a substance delivery means. A user's 140 body may heat activate the medication 218, prompting it to begin releasing active ingredients through the skin and into the bloodstream of a user 140.

[00035] A rate controlling means may also be provided on the top surface 210 of the backing layer 106. The rate controlling means may control the flux of medication 218 from the reservoir of the center portion of the top surface 210 to the skin. In this manner the present invention may provide at least one medication 218 supplied at a constant and measured release into a user's 140 body.

[00036] Referring now to FIG. 4, showing the bottom surface 108 of the backing layer 106 of the transdermal patch 102. The bottom surface 108 may comprise an indicia 422 upon said bottom surface 108 to indicate that the patch contains a cannabinoid therein. The indicia 422 may include an image of a marijuana leaf, as shown in FIG. 4.

[00037] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A transdermal patch, comprising:

a) a top surface adapted to be placed against the skin of a user;

b) a bottom surface adapted to protect said patch from environmental elements;

c) at least one outer edge that includes an adhesive thereon adapted to removably stick to said user's skin; and

d) at least one medication located at a center portion of said top surface and is adapted to be absorbed through said user's skin, and wherein said at least one medication includes at least one cannabinoid; and

e) a protective covering adapted to removably cover said top surface and be peeled therefrom before said patch is to be placed upon said skin of said user.

2. The transdermal patch of claim 1, wherein said cannabinoid is marijuana.

3. The transdermal patch of claim 2, wherein said marijuana is pulverized.

4. The transdermal patch of claim 2, wherein said marijuana includes flowing marijuana parts and leaves.

5. The transdermal patch of claim 1, further comprising an active ingredient.

6. The transdermal patch of claim 5, wherein said active ingredient is chosen from a group of active ingredients consisting of cannabinol, cannabidiol, nabilone, levonantradol, (-)-HU-210, (+)-HU-210, 1 l-hydroxy-A⁹-THC, A⁸-THC-11-oic acid, CP55,940, and R(+)-WIN 55,212-2.

7. The transdermal patch of claim 5, wherein said active ingredient is THC.

8. The transdermal patch of claim 1, further comprising a permeation enhancer adapted to increase the permeation of said cannabinoid through said user's skin.

9. The transdermal patch of claim 1, wherein said at least one outer edge includes four outer edges forming a rectangular shape.

10. The transdermal patch of claim 1, further comprising indicia upon said bottom surface to indicate that said patch contains a cannabinoid therein.

11. The transdermal patch of claim 10, wherein said indicia includes an image of a

marijuana leaf.