Method and apparatus for epidermal delivery of powdered medicaments

An apparatus for transdermal delivery of a powdered agent to a patient, the apparatus comprising:

• a fluid source comprising a fluid;
• a nozzle extending distally from the fluid source, the nozzle comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
• a seat disposed at the proximal end of the nozzle;
• a sealed blister with a concave dome proximal surface and a flat distal surface containing the powdered agent positioned on the seat of the nozzle disposed within the lumen;
• a blade disposed distal to the seat with the lumen, the blade comprising a blade element configured to pierce the sealed blister when the sealed blister is deformed by passage of the fluid through the sealed blister, the blade element comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a triangle blade, a flat straight blade, an arching blade, a wire cross blade, a flat cross blade, a pointed cross blade, and a flat pyramid blade;
• and
• an actuation element for releasing the fluid from the fluid source, wherein actuation causes the released fluid to push the sealed blister forward, deforming the concave dome of the sealed blister to move distally toward the blade, thereby causing the blade to pierce the sealed blister to release the powdered agent into the stream of fluid for entrainment and delivery through the distal end of the nozzle.