Microprotrusion member retainer for impact applicator

1. An assembly for use in a stratum-corneum piercing drug delivery system, comprising: a microprotrusion member having a plurality of stratum corneum piercing microprotrusions thereon adapted to pierce the stratum corneum to improve transdermal agent flux; and a substantially rigid retainer, said retainer having first end attachable to an impact applicator and a second end configured to contact the stratum corneum, said retainer having an interior region including a first interior region having a first diameter that extends to a first open end of said retainer and a second interior region having a second diameter that extends to a second open end of said retainer, said first and second interior regions having substantially coincident axes, said first diameter being greater than said second diameter, said intersection of said first and second interior regions forming a retainer seat, said retainer seat being adapted to receive said microprotrusion member proximate the outer periphery thereof, wherein said retainer substantially surrounds said microprotrusion member and substantially prevents contact between said microprotrusion member and the stratum corneum prior to said piercing, wherein said device further comprises said impact applicator device adapted to releasably engage said first open end of said retainer, wherein said impact applicator comprises a body and a piston movable within the body, wherein the surface of the piston impacts the microprotrusion member against the skin causing the microprotrusions to pierce the stratum corneum, said applicator device being adapted to apply said microprotrusion member to the stratum corneum with a power of at least 0.05 joules per cm 2 in 10 msec or less, wherein said microprotrusion member is mounted on said retainer for application to the stratum corneum by impact provided by said impact applicator, and wherein said retainer is positioned on the impact applicator in a manner to provide a functional connection of said microprotrusion member to said impact applicator.

2. An assembly for use in a stratum-corneum piercing drug delivery system, comprising: a microprotrusion member having a plurality of stratum corneum piercing microprotrusions thereon adapted to pierce the stratum corneum to improve transdermal agent flux; and a substantially rigid retainer, said retainer having a first end attachable to an impact applicator and a second end configured to contact the stratum corneum, said retainer having an interior region including a first interior region having a first diameter that extends to a first open end of said retainer and a second interior region having a second diameter that extends to a second open end of said retainer, said first open end of said retainer being adapted to be releasably attached to an applicator device, said first and second interior regions having substantially coincident axes, said first diameter being greater than said second diameter, said intersection of said first and second interior regions forming a retainer seat, said retainer seat being adapted to receive said microprotrusion member proximate the outer periphery thereof, wherein said retainer substantially surrounds said microprotrusion member and substantially prevents contact between said microprotrusion member and the stratum corneum prior to said piercing, wherein said device further comprises said impact applicator device adapted to releasably engage said first open end of said retainer, wherein said impact applicator comprises a body and a piston movable within the body, wherein the surface of the piston impacts the microprotrusion member against the skin causing the microprotrusions to pierce the stratum corneum, said applicator device being adapted to apply said microprotrusion member to the stratum corneum with a power of at least 0.05 joules per cm 2 in 10 msec or less, wherein said microprotrusion member is mounted on said retainer for application to the stratum corneum by impact provided by said impact applicator, and wherein said retainer is positioned on the impact applicator in a manner to provide a functional connection of said microprotrusion member to said impact applicator.

3. An assembly for use in a stratum-corneum piercing drug delivery system, comprising: a microprotrusion member having a plurality of stratum corneum piercing microprotrusions thereon adapted to pierce the stratum corneum to improve transdermal agent flux; a substantially rigid retainer, said retainer having a first end attachable to an impact applicator and a second end configured to contact the stratum corneum, said retainer having an interior region including a first interior region having a first diameter that extends to a first open end of said retainer and a second interior region having a second diameter that extends to a second open end of said retainer, said first and second interior regions having substantially coincident axes, said first diameter being greater than said second diameter, said intersection of said first and second interior regions forming a retainer seat, said retainer seat being adapted to receive said microprotrusion member proximate the outer periphery thereof; wherein said retainer substantially surrounds said microprotrusion member and substantially prevents contact between said microprotrusion member and the stratum corneum prior to said piercing, wherein said device further comprises an applicator device adapted to releasably engage said first open end of said retainer, wherein said impact applicator comprises a body and a piston movable within the body, wherein the surface of the piston impacts the microprotrusion member against the skin causing the microprotrusions to pierce the stratum corneum, said applicator device being adapted to apply said microprotrusion member to the stratum corneum with a power of at least 0.05 joules per cm 2 in 10 msec or less, wherein said microprotrusion member is mounted on said retainer for application to the stratum corneum by impact provided by said impact applicator, and wherein said retainer is positioned on the impact applicator in a manner to provide a functional connection of said microprotrusion member to said impact applicator.

4. An assembly for use in a stratum-corneum piercing drug delivery system, comprising: a microprotrusion member having a plurality of stratum corneum piercing microprotrusions thereon adapted to pierce the stratum corneum to improve transdermal agent flux; a substantially rigid retainer, said retainer having a first end attachable to an impact applicator and a second end configured to contact the stratum corneum; and an applicator device adapted to releasably engage said first open end of said retainer, wherein said impact applicator comprises a body and a piston movable within the body, wherein the surface of the piston impacts the microprotrusion member against the skin causing the microprotrusions to pierce the stratum corneum, said applicator device being adapted to apply said microprotrusion member to the stratum corneum with a power of at least 0.05 joules per cm 2 in 10 msec or less, wherein said microprotrusion member is mounted on said retainer for application to the stratum corneum by impact provided by said impact applicator, and wherein said retainer is positioned on the impact applicator in a manner to provide a functional connection of said microprotrusion member to said impact applicator.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , including a sealed package adapted to surround said retainer and microprotrusion member assembly.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , including a sterile package adapted to surround said retainer and microprotrusion member assembly.

7. The assembly of any one of claims 1 - 3 , wherein said coincident axes are substantially parallel to said the longitudinal axis of said microprojections.

8. The assembly of any one of claims 1 - 4 , wherein an impact spring is positioned to bias the piston downward with respect to the body.