Reservoir housing having a conductive region integrally formed therein

• US 20030181846A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kleiner, Lothar W., Young, Wendy A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,024,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0448 Drug reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49082 Resistor making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49128 Assembling formed circuit to base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing

Abstract

An electrotransport reservoir housing which contains, integrally formed therein, at least one region of conductive material which allows for a liquid and moisture tight barrier, while at the same time providing a means for conducting an electric current therethrough.

Claims

1. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank;

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

2. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank;

after or simultaneously with the formation of said first cavity, forming a second cavity in said reservoir blank, said second cavity at least partially formed out of a region of conductive material of the reservoir blank, other than the regions used to form said first cavity, and

wherein said first cavity and said second cavity are separated by at least one region of non-conductive material.

3. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material comprising one region of non-conductive material having a first side and a second side, said sheet of material further comprising a first and a second region of conductive material, said first conductive region disposed in contact with said first end of said non-conductive material and said second conductive region disposed in contact with said second end of said non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank; and

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

4. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material comprising two separate regions of conductive material separated by a region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank; and

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

5. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material comprising a first and a second separate region of conductive material, each having a first end and a second end, said conductive regions separated by a first region of non-conductive material disposed so as to be in contact with the second end of each of said regions of conductive material, said sheet of material further comprising a second and a third region of non-conductive material, wherein said second non-conductive region is disposed at the first end of said first region of conductive material and said third region of non-conductive material is disposed at said first end of said second region of conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank; and

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

6. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material a center region comprised of two separate regions of conductive material separated by a first region of non-conductive material, said center region bordered by a second and a third region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank; and

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

7. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity being completely formed out of one of said conductive regions of said reservoir blank;

after or simultaneously with the formation of said first cavity, forming a second cavity in said reservoir blank, said second cavity being completely formed out of one of said regions of conductive material of the reservoir blank, other than the region used to form said first cavity; and

wherein said first cavity and said second cavity are separated by at least one region of non-conductive material.

8. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity is completely formed from a portion of one of said conductive regions of said reservoir blank;

after or simultaneously with the formation of said first cavity, forming a second cavity in said reservoir blank, said second cavity being completely formed from a portion of one of said regions of conductive material of the reservoir blank, other than the region used to form said first cavity; and

wherein said first cavity and said second cavity are separated by at least one region of non-conductive material.

9. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material comprising one region of non-conductive material having a first side and a second side, said sheet of material further comprising a first and a second region of partially conductive material, said partially conductive material comprised of at least one region of conductive material and one region of non-conductive material, said first partially conductive region disposed at said first end of said non-conductive material and said second partially conductive region disposed at said second end of said non-conductive material;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank; and

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

10. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material comprising one region of non-conductive material having a first side and a second side, said sheet of material further comprising a first and a second region of partially conductive material, said partially conductive material comprised of at least one region of conductive material and one region of non-conductive material, said first partially conductive region disposed at said first end of said non-conductive material and said second partially conductive region disposed at said second end of said non-conductive material;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity being completely formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank; and

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

11. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material comprising one region of non-conductive material having a first side and a second side, said sheet of material further comprising a first and a second region of partially conductive material, said partially conductive material comprised of at least one region of conductive material and one region of non-conductive material, said first partially conductive region disposed at said first end of said non-conductive material and said second partially

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a portion of one of said conductive regions of said reservoir blank;

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

12. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing two strips of conductive material and one strip of non-conductive material;

placing said non-conductive strip between said two strips of conductive material so that all three strips are essentially co-planer and adapted to be co-extruded;

co-extruding all three strips simultaneously to form a sheet of material;

said sheet of material comprising regions of conductive and non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank;

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

13. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a first strip of conductive material and one strip of non-conductive material;

placing said non-conductive strip next to said first strip of conductive material so that both strips are essentially co-planer and adapted to be co-extruded;

co-extruding both strips to form an intermediate strip;

providing a second strip of conductive material;

placing said second strip of conductive material next to said intermediate strip and opposite to said first strip of conductive material and capable of being extruded;

co-extruding the intermediate trip and the second conductive strip to form a sheet of material;

said sheet of material comprising regions of conductive and non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank; and

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

14. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank;

all conductive regions being separated from each other by non-conductive regions; and

wherein said interface is liquid a vapor tight.

15. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

said sheet further comprised of a polymer;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank; and

wherein all conductive regions are separated from each other by non-conductive regions.

16. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank;

all conductive regions being separated from each other by non-conductive regions; and

wherein said sheet of material is comprised of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylics, and like materials.

17. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank;

all conductive regions being separated from each other by non-conductive regions; and

wherein said conductive material has a carbon black content of at least about 3 vol. %.

18. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank;

all conductive regions being separated from each other by non-conductive regions; and

wherein said conductive material has a resistivity of less than about 10,000 ohms-cm.

19. A method of making an integral reservoir housing for an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material containing at least one region of conductive material and at least one region of non-conductive material;

said conductive and non-conductive regions forming at least one interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

forming a reservoir blank out of said sheet of material, said reservoir blank having at least one conductive region and at least one non-conductive region;

forming a first cavity in said reservoir blank, said first cavity at least partially formed out of a conductive region of said reservoir blank;

all conductive regions being separated from each other by non-conductive regions; and

wherein said non-conductive material has a resistivity of at least about 10⁹ ohms-cm.

20. An iontophoretic reservoir housing comprising:

said housing being comprised of conductive and non-conductive material, said conductive and non-conductive material forming an interface where said conductive and non-conductive material meet;

a first and a second cavity formed within said reservoir housing;

at least a portion of said cavities being comprised of conductive material, said conductive material of said cavities being fully isolated from each other by non-conductive material; and

wherein said interface is liquid and vapor tight.