Autonomous, ambulatory analyte monitor or drug delivery device

A pharmaceutical agent delivery device operable to deliver a pharmaceutical agent to a subject, the device comprising:

• a first plurality of microneedles,
• a plurality of pharmaceutical agent delivery microchannels, wherein each of the first plurality of microneedles is at least intermittently in fluid communication with a corresponding pharmaceutical agent delivery microchannel, and wherein each pharmaceutical agent delivery microchannel is at least partially filled with a pharmaceutical agent,
• at least one actuator operable to extend each microneedle to deliver the pharmaceutical agent to the subject, and
• a controller operable to initiate delivery of the pharmaceutical agent.

In combination a device having an analyte monitor portion operable to draw a fluid sample from a subject and a pharmaceutical agent delivery portion operable to deliver a pharmaceutical agent to the subject, the device comprising:

• a first plurality of microneedles,
• a plurality of monitoring microchannels, wherein each of the first plurality of microneedles is at least intermittently in fluid communication with a corresponding monitoring microchannel, and wherein each monitoring microchannel is associated with a reagent,
• a second plurality of microneedles,
• a plurality of pharmaceutical agent delivery microchannels, wherein each of the second plurality of microneedles is at least intermittently in fluid communication with a corresponding pharmaceutical agent delivery microchannel, and wherein each pharmaceutical agent delivery microchannel is at least partially filled with a pharmaceutical agent,
• at least one actuator operable to extend each microneedle and one of draw the fluid sample from the subject and deliver the pharmaceutical agent to the subject, and
• a controller operable to initiate analyte testing of the fluid sample and delivery of the pharmaceutical agent.

A method for automated analyte monitoring comprising:

• a) providing a first plurality of microneedles,
• b) providing a plurality of monitoring microchannels, wherein each of the first plurality of microneedles is at least intermittently in fluid communication with a monitoring microchannel, and wherein each monitoring microchannel is associated with a reagent,
• c) sequentially extending a microneedle thereby obtaining a fluid sample from a subject,
• d) initiating analyte testing of the fluid sample, and
• e) providing a controller operable to automatically repeat steps c and d.

A method for automated pharmaceutical agent delivery comprising:

• a) providing a first plurality of microneedles,
• b) providing a plurality of pharmaceutical agent delivery microchannels, wherein each of the first plurality of microneedles is at least intermittently in fluid communication with a corresponding pharmaceutical agent delivery microchannel, and wherein each pharmaceutical agent delivery microchannel is at least partially filled with a pharmaceutical agent,
• c) sequentially extending a microneedle thereby delivering the pharmaceutical agent to a subject,
• d) providing a controller operable to automatically repeat step c.