Iontophoretic electrode device, method and gel insert
First Claim
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1. An iontophoretic electrode device, comprising an electrode adapted for electrical connection to a voltage source;
- and a preformed, shape and fluid retaining, semisolid body of a hydrophilic, hydrated gel throughout which is diffused an ionic drug for administration to a patient through intact skin by iontophoresis, said body being secured to the electrode in good electrical contact therewith and having a free and unconfined, solid gel contact face so disposed as to make good electrical contact with the skin of a patent when the electrode device is applied to the patient.
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Abstract
An iontophoretic electrode device, method, and hydrophilic, hydrated gel insert for the electrode device all involve a preformed, shape-retaining, gel body preferably of disc formation having mutually opposite, parallel faces. An agar gel disc having an ionic drug diffused throughout is the preferred, iontophoretic gel body that is packaged and sold as such for insertion in a cup-like receptacle and securement to an electrode plate within the receptacle, so as to protrude free and clear therefrom for pressing against the skin of a medical patient.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An iontophoretic electrode device, comprising an electrode adapted for electrical connection to a voltage source;
- and a preformed, shape and fluid retaining, semisolid body of a hydrophilic, hydrated gel throughout which is diffused an ionic drug for administration to a patient through intact skin by iontophoresis, said body being secured to the electrode in good electrical contact therewith and having a free and unconfined, solid gel contact face so disposed as to make good electrical contact with the skin of a patent when the electrode device is applied to the patient.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of transporting ionic drug molecules through the skin of a medical patient by means of iontophoresis, comprising pressing against an area of skin through which the drug is to be transported a free and unconfined, solid gel contact face of a shape and fluid retaining, semi-solid, hydrophilic, hydrated gel body which has the ionic drug molecules diffused throughout and which is secured in good electrical contact to an electrode, so said body can serve as an iontophoretic electrode;
- applying a second iontophoretic electrode to the patient; and
electrically energizing said electrodes by electrical power of respectively different polarities to effect the desired transporting of said ionic drug molecules through said area of the skin.
- applying a second iontophoretic electrode to the patient; and
- 8. For use as a drug-administering insert in an iontophoretic electrode device, a performed, shape and fluid retaining, semi-solid body of a hydrophilic, hydrated gel having an ionic drug diffused throughout and having a free and unconfined, solid gel contact face.
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12. An iontophoretic electrode device for administering an ionic drug by iontophoresis to a medical patient, comprising a rigid, cup-like receptacle of electrically non-conductive material having a rimmed opening for the reception of a substantially conforming, preformed, shape and fluid retaining, semi-solid body of a hydrophilic, hydrated gel containing the ionic drug to be administered;
- an electrode plate spaced inwardly of said receptacle from said rimmed opening; and
an electrical conductor adapted for connection with a source of electrical power and extending into electrical connection with said electrode plate;
a preformed, shape and fluid retaining, semi-solid body of drug-containing, hydrophilic, hydrated gel substantially conforming to and secured within said opening by adherence to said electrode plate, the thickness of said semi-solid body being such as to protrude slightly from said receptacle beyond said rimmed opening so as to present a free and unconfined, solid gel face of said body for contact with the skin of a medical patient, whereby, under iontophoresis, the drug will pass into the body of the patient without leaving foreign matter on the skin so contacted; and
securement means for holding the receptacle on the body of the patient with said solid gel face in contact with the patient'"'"'s skin. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
- an electrode plate spaced inwardly of said receptacle from said rimmed opening; and
Specification