DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING IMMUNE RESPONSE BY ELECTRICAL STIMULATION

• US 20080033398A1
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TTI Ellebeau, Inc. (Ease Asset Management Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Transcutaneous Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Reed, Steven, Coler, Rhea
• Application Number:
  US11/617,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20080033398A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/522
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0436 Material of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0444 Membrane
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0448 Drug reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/303 Constructional details electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428

Abstract

A device and a method are provided to enhance an immune response to a vaccine or immunogen by electrical stimulation of a biological interface in conjunction with administration of the vaccine or immunogen.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing an immune response of a mammal to a vaccine or immunogen comprising:

administering the vaccine or immunogen through a biological interface of the mammal;

positioning an electrode device on the surface of the biological interface at or near the site of administration; and

activating the electrode device to provide an electrical potential to the biological interface;

wherein the electrode device comprises a first electrode assembly comprising a first electrode element and a second electrode assembly comprising a second electrode element; and

wherein activating the electrode device to provide an electrical potential to the biological interface enhances the immune response of the mammal to the vaccine or immunogen.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

administering more than one dose of a vaccine or immunogen.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

administering more than one vaccine or immunogen.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the vaccines or immunogens are administered concurrently.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the vaccines or immunogens are administered consecutively.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

administering an adjuvant through the biological interface of the mammal at or near the site of administration of the vaccine or immunogen.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the adjuvant is administered prior to administration of the vaccine or immunogen.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the adjuvant is administered concurrent with administration of the vaccine or immunogen.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the adjuvant is administered following administration of the vaccine or immunogen.

10. The method of claim 1 or 6 wherein administration is by injection.

11. The method of claim 1 or 6 wherein administration is by iontophoresis.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the biological interface is a skin.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the biological interface is a mucosal membrane.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical potential is applied at a constant level.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical potential is applied in pulses.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode device further comprises a first electrolyte reservoir comprising a first electrolyte composition, the first electrolyte reservoir positioned between the first electrode element and a surface of the first electrode assembly to be affixed to the biological interface.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the electrode device further comprises a second electrolyte reservoir comprising a second electrolyte composition, the second electrolyte reservoir positioned between the second electrode element and a surface of the second electrode assembly to be affixed to the biological interface.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17 wherein the first electrolyte composition and/or the second electrolyte composition comprise a physiological ion.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the physiological ion is selected from sodium, chloride, or phosphate.

20. The method of claim 16 or 17 wherein the first electrolyte composition comprises fumarate and polyacrylate ions and wherein the second electrolyte and wherein the second electrolyte composition comprises ascorbate and polyacrylate ions.

21. The method of any one of claims 1, 16, and 17 wherein the electrode device further comprises a means for affixing the electrode device to the biological interface of the mammal.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the means for affixing the electrode device to the biological interface of the mammal comprises an adhesive.

23. The electrode device of any one of claims 1, 16, and 17 wherein the electrode device is in the form of a patch.

24. An electrode device for use in a method for enhancing an immune response of a mammal to a vaccine or an immunogen, the electrode device comprising:

a first electrode assembly comprising a first electrode element; and

a second electrode assembly comprising a second electrode element.

25. The electrode device of claim 24 for use in a method for enhancing an immune response of a mammal to a vaccine or an immunogen, the method comprising:

administering the vaccine or immunogen through a biological interface of the mammal;

positioning the electrode device to the surface of the biological interface at or near the site of administration; and

activating the electrode device to provide an electrical potential to the biological interface.