Patch applying apparatus

1. An apparatus for applying a patch to a subject, the apparatus comprising:

a) opposable jaws comprising a first arm and a second arm moveable between open and engaging positions, wherein in the open position the jaws can receive at least part of the subject between the jaws, and in the engaging position the jaws can engage the at least part of the subject and wherein one of the first and second arms includes an aperture;

b) a first patch having a number of solid projections thereon with at least one of the projections being coated;

c) a first patch support which supports the first patch, wherein the first patch support urges the first patch against the at least part of the subject so that the projections are capable of penetrating the skin of the subject, and wherein the patch is attached to the patch support;

d) a third arm mounted to the first and second arms, the first patch support being provided on the third arm;

e) a first biasing mechanism that urges the jaws into the engaging position thereby applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the first patch being applied; and

f) a second biasing mechanism that urges the third arm to deliver the first patch to the subject through the aperture at predetermined application parameters and such that the first patch is retained in place for a predetermined application period.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby compress the tissue.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes a fourth arm mounted to the first and second arms, a second patch support being provided on the fourth arm and a second patch supported by the second patch support.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein one of the first and second arms includes an aperture aligned with the patch support on the fourth arm so that the patch second extends through the aperture when engaging the subject, in use.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby compress the tissue.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the second biasing mechanism urges the third arm to deliver the second patch to the subject at predetermined application parameters and such that the second patch is retained in place for a predetermined application period.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby stretch the tissue.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby pre-stress the tissue.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the projections have a density of at least one of:

a) between 1,000-30,000 projections/cm 2 ;

b) less than 1,000 projections/cm 2 ; and,

c) less than 100 projections/cm 2 .

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the projections have a length of at least one of:

a) between 10 to 200 μm; and,

b) greater than 200 μm.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the projections have a length of 90 μm.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the projections have a radius of curvature of at least one of:

a) greater than 0.5 μm;

b) greater than 1 μm; and,

c) greater than 5 μm.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the projections include a support section and a targeting section.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the targeting section has a diameter of less than at least one of:

a) 50 μm;

b) 100 μm;

c) 150 μm; and,

d) 400 μm.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein a length for the targeting section is at least:

a) less than 50 μm;

b) less than 100 μm; and,

c) less than 300 μm.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein a length for the support section is at least one of:

a) for epidermal delivery <200 μm;

b) for dermal cell delivery <1000 μm;

c) for delivery to basal cells in the epithelium of the mucosa 600-800 μm; and,

d) for lung delivery of the order of 100 μm.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the projections are shaped to at least partially control a depth of penetration of the projection in use.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the projections have a stepped configuration.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the projections have a supporting section having a diameter greater than a diameter of a targeting section.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby stretch the tissue.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby pre-stress the tissue.