They Invented What? (No. 187)

U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,940:  Cannabinoid patch and method for cannabis transdermal delivery.

We claim:

1. A method of delivering cannabis to the bloodstream of a person comprising the steps of:
          A. Providing a transdermal preparation containing cannabis;
          B. Providing a backing layer selected from the group consisting of a patch, strip, bandage and covering for holding said transdermal preparation;
          C. Placing an effective amount of said transdermal preparation onto said backing layer; and,
          D. Attaching said backing layer to the skin of said person so that said transdermal preparation is in contact with said skin.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step A comprises combining said cannabis with a transdermal carrier.

3. A transdermal structure containing cannabis comprising
          a backing layer selected from the group consisting of a patch, strip, bandage or covering having a reservoir means for holding a transdermal cannabis preparation; and,
          a transdermal preparation contained in said reservoir means.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the reservoir means is any one or combination of a member of the group consisting of a cavity, matrix material and film.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said matrix material is selected from the group consisting of an open pore material, open weave fabric and a membrane.

6. The transdermal structure of claim 4 wherein said reservoir means comprises a convex portion of said backing layer.

7. The structure of claim 4 wherein a secondary layer is attached to said backing layer, said secondary layer having an opening which forms a retention cavity with said backing layer for holding said transdermal preparation.

8. A structure for administering cannabis to one’s skin, comprising:
          at least one layer of backing material suitable for attachment to one’s skin; and,
          a cannabis preparation on said backing material, said preparation being capable of delivering an effective amount of cannabis into said skin.

9. The structure of claim 8 wherein said backing material is any one or combination of a member selected from the group consisting of fabric, plastic, metal foil, rubber, resin film and membranes.

10. The structure of claim 8 wherein said backing material includes a reservoir means for retaining said cannabis preparation.

11. The structure of claim 10 wherein said reservoir means comprises a polymer matrix attached to said material, said cannabis preparation being suspended in said polymer matrix.

12. The structure of claim 10 wherein said reservoir means comprises a cavity formed in said backing material, said cannabis preparation being contained in said cavity.

13. The structure of claim 12 wherein a rate controlling means overlies said cavity for regulating the flow of cannabis preparation to said skin.

14. The structure of claim 13 wherein said rate controlling means comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a porous membrane, nonporous membrane, polymer film, polymer membrane.

15. The structure of claim 8 wherein said cannabis preparation comprises a liquid or gel carrier combined with cannabis chemicals.

16. The structure of claim 11 wherein said polymer matrix comprises a film which has been cast upon said backing layer.

17. The structure of claim 10 wherein said reservoir means comprises a member selected from the group consisting of an open pore structure and an open weave fabric.

18. The structure of claim 8 wherein said backing material includes adhesive means for attaching said structure to one’s skin.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein said structure includes an adhesive and step D is carried out by adhering said structure to said skin.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein after step D, maintaining said transdermal preparation in contact with said skin for an effective period of time.