Iontophoresis electronic device having a ramped output current
First Claim
1. An iontophoresis controller which adjusts current to an iontophoresis electrode pair to control infusion of a selected dose of ionic drugs into a patient through the electrode pair during a treatment period, the controller comprising:
- an electrode driver channel generating an electrode output current which has an intensity that rises exponentially from approximately zero to a selected treatment current intensity, remains at the selected treatment current intensity, and then falls exponentially to approximately zero, the electrode driver channel having an electrode output adapted to be connected to the electrode pair to deliver the electrode output current to the electrode pair; and
means for controlling the electrode driver channel to generate the electrode output current during the treatment period, thereby controlling infusion of the selected dose of ionic drugs into the patient through the electrode pair during the treatment period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An iontophoresis controller is configured for connection to an iontophoresis electrode pair. The controller controls infusion of a selected dose of ionic drugs into a patient through the electrode pair during a treatment period. The controller includes an electrode driver channel having an electrode output configured for electrical connection to the electrode pair. The electrode driver channel delivers a substantially constant electrode output current at a selected treatment level through the electrode output during the treatment period. The electrode output current rises exponentially from approximately zero to the selected treatment level, remains at the selected treatment level during the treatment period, and then falls exponentially to approximately zero. A microprocessor controls operation of the electrode driver channel to generate the electrode output current during the treatment period.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An iontophoresis controller which adjusts current to an iontophoresis electrode pair to control infusion of a selected dose of ionic drugs into a patient through the electrode pair during a treatment period, the controller comprising:
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an electrode driver channel generating an electrode output current which has an intensity that rises exponentially from approximately zero to a selected treatment current intensity, remains at the selected treatment current intensity, and then falls exponentially to approximately zero, the electrode driver channel having an electrode output adapted to be connected to the electrode pair to deliver the electrode output current to the electrode pair; and means for controlling the electrode driver channel to generate the electrode output current during the treatment period, thereby controlling infusion of the selected dose of ionic drugs into the patient through the electrode pair during the treatment period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An iontophoresis controller which adjusts current to an iontophoresis electrode pair to control infusion of a selected dose of ionic drugs into a patient through the electrode pair during a treatment period, the controller comprising:
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a microprocessor having a ramp enable output such that the microprocessor selectively applies a ramp voltage on the ramp enable output; an RC circuit having an input connected to the ramp enable output and having an RC output, wherein the RC circuit has a time constant which is selectable in magnitude between a first time constant and a second time constant and wherein the second time constant is larger than the first time constant such that the RC circuit generates an RC output voltage on the RC output as a function of the ramp voltage and the selected time constant; an electrode output adapted to be electrically connected to the electrode pair; and means connected between the RC circuit and the electrode output for generating an electrode output current through the electrode output which has an intensity that rises exponentially from approximately zero to a selected treatment current intensity, remains at the selected treatment current intensity, and then falls exponentially to approximately zero as a function of the RC output voltage, thereby controlling infusion of the selected dose of ionic drugs into the patient through the electrode pair during the treatment period.
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11. An iontophoresis controller which adjust current to an iontophoresis electrode pair to control infusion of a selected dose of ionic drugs into a patient through the electrode pair during a treatment period, the controller comprising:
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a microprocessor having a ramp enable output such that the microprocessor selectively applies a ramp voltage on the ramp enable output; an RC circuit having an RC input connected to the ramp enable output and having an RC output such that the RC circuit generates an RC output voltage on the RC output that rises exponentially from approximately zero to the ramp voltage when the microprocessor applies the ramp voltage to the ramp enable output and falls exponentially from the ramp voltage to approximately zero when the microprocessor removes the ramp voltage from the ramp enable output; an amplifier connected to the RC output in a voltage follower configuration such that the amplifier receives the RC output voltage and generates an amplifier output signal which follows the RC output voltage; an adjustable voltage divider having an input connected to the amplifier which receives the amplifier output signal and having a voltage divider output, such that the adjustable voltage divider generates a treatment control voltage on the voltage divider output which has a magnitude that is a function of the amplifier output signal and an adjustment of the adjustable voltage divider; an electrode output adapted to be electrically connected to the electrode pair; and means connected to the adjustable voltage divider and to the electrode output for generating an electrode output current through the electrode output as a function of the magnitude of the treatment control voltage, thereby controlling infusion of the selected dose of ionic drugs into the patient through the electrode pair during the treatment period.
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12. An iontophoresis controller which adjust current to an iontophoresis electrode pair to control infusion of a selected dose of ionic drugs into a patient through the electrode pair during a treatment period, the controller comprising:
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an electrode output adapted to be electrically connected to the electrode pair; means for generating a modulation treatment control voltage which rises exponentially from approximately zero to a selected modulation treatment control level, remains at the modulation treatment control level, and then falls exponentially to approximately zero; pulse width modulator means having a modulation control input, a modulation feedback input and a modulated output, wherein the modulation control input is connected to the means for generating a modulation treatment control voltage for generating a modulated signal on the modulated output having a pulse width which is a function of the modulation treatment control voltage and a modulation feedback voltage which is applied to the modulation feedback input; isolation transformer means having a primary coil and a secondary coil, with the primary coil connected to the modulated output and the secondary coil connected to the electrode output for generating an electrode output current in response to the modulated signal received at the primary coil; a rectifier connected to the secondary coil, which rectifies the electrode output current; and modulation feedback means having an input connected to the electrode output and having an output connected to the modulation feedback input of the pulse width modulator means for generating the modulation feedback voltage on the modulation feedback means output as a function of the electrode output current.
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Specification