Method for Iontophoretic Fluid Delivery

• US 20080177219A1
• Filed: 01/23/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microlin LLC
• Original Assignee: Microlin LLC
• Inventors: Joshi, Ashok V.
• Application Number:
  US11/626,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20080177219A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0436 Material of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/044 Shape of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0444 Membrane
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0448 Drug reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• 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 method is provided for low cost, accurate, iontophoretic fluid delivery. The method includes providing an electronic circuit coupling a plurality of electrodes, charging a chargeable electromotive cell to a selected potential and/or charge in response to a selected quantity of beneficial agent to be delivered, the chargeable electromotive cell being electronically coupled with the electronic circuit, applying the selected quantity of beneficial agent to at least one electrode, placing the at least one electrode in contact with skin, and delivering the selected quantity of beneficial agent. The method may also include preparing the skin using a skin preparation device in order to enhance the delivery of the beneficial agent.

Claims

1. A method for iontophoretic fluid delivery, the method comprising:

providing an electronic circuit coupling a plurality of electrodes;

charging a chargeable electromotive cell to a selected potential or charge in response to a selected quantity of beneficial agent to be delivered, the chargeable electromotive cell being electronically coupled with the electronic circuit;

applying the selected quantity of beneficial agent to at least one electrode;

placing the at least one electrode in contact with skin; and

delivering the selected quantity of beneficial agent.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the chargeable electromotive cell comprises a dielectric capacitor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the chargeable electromotive cell comprises an electrochemical capacitor.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching a charging circuit to the chargeable electromotive cell, the charging circuit comprising an external electromotive power source.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the external electromotive cell is selected from the group consisting of batteries, capacitors, generators, and power sources.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising preparing the skin using a skin preparation device in order to enhance the delivery of the beneficial agent.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein preparing the skin to enhance delivery of the beneficial agent comprises one of puncturing, perforating, or making an opening in the skin.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein puncturing the skin comprises puncturing the skin using a micro-needle.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein puncturing the skin comprises using a laser.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein preparing the skin to enhance delivery of the beneficial agent comprises heating the skin.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein heating the skin comprises one of the group consisting of electronically heating the skin, chemically heating the skin, and combinations thereof.

12. A method for iontophoretic fluid delivery, the method comprising:

providing an electronic circuit coupling a plurality of electrodes;

charging a capacitor to a selected potential or charge in response to a selected quantity of beneficial agent to be delivered, the chargeable electromotive cell being electronically coupled with the electronic circuit;

applying the selected quantity of beneficial agent to at least one electrode;

placing the at least one electrode in contact with skin; and

delivering the selected quantity of beneficial agent.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein charging a capacitor comprises charging the capacitor to be able to deliver between about 1 and about 500 mAmp-min of charge to the skin.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein charging the capacitor comprises charging the capacitor to a potential in the range of between about 1 and 60 V.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein charging the capacitor comprises charging the capacitor to a potential in the range of between about 20 and 40 V.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising attaching a charging circuit to the chargeable electromotive cell, the charging circuit comprising an external electromotive power source.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the external electromotive cell is selected from the group consisting of batteries, capacitors, generators, and power sources.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising preparing the skin using a skin preparation device in order to enhance the delivery of the beneficial agent.

19. A method for iontophoretic fluid delivery, the method comprising:

providing an electronic circuit coupling a plurality of electrodes;

charging a capacitor to a selected potential or charge in response to a selected quantity of beneficial agent to be delivered, the chargeable electromotive cell being electronically coupled with the electronic circuit;

applying the selected quantity of beneficial agent to at least one electrode;

preparing the skin using a skin preparation device in order to enhance the delivery of the beneficial agent;

placing the at least one electrode in contact with skin; and

delivering the selected quantity of beneficial agent.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein charging a capacitor comprises charging the capacitor to be able to deliver between about 1 and about 500 mAmp-min of charge to the skin.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein charging the capacitor comprises charging the capacitor to a potential in the range of between about 1 and 30 V.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising attaching a charging circuit to the chargeable electromotive cell, the charging circuit comprising an external electromotive power source.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the external electromotive cell is selected from the group consisting of batteries, capacitors, generators, and power sources.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein preparing the skin to enhance delivery of the beneficial agent comprises one of puncturing, perforating, or making an opening in the skin.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein puncturing the skin comprises puncturing the skin using a micro-needle.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein puncturing the skin comprises using a laser.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein preparing the skin to enhance delivery of the beneficial agent comprises heating the skin.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein heating the skin comprises one of the group consisting of electronically heating the skin, chemically heating the skin, and combinations thereof.