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Programmable apparatus for reducing substance dependency in transdermal drug delivery

  • US 5,538,503 A
  • Filed: 01/09/1995
  • Issued: 07/23/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for the transdermal delivery of medicament comprising a transdermal drug delivery portion and a stimulating portion, said transdermal drug delivery apparatus comprising:

  • (a) a substantially planar, skin-contacting medicament carrying layer; and

    (b) an electrically conductive means in electrical communication with said medicament carrying layer; and

    (c) at least two electrodes including an iontophoresis electrode comprising a planar array of electrode channels, said iontophoresis electrode being substantially coplanar with said medicament containing layer and wherein said electrode channels are in electrical communication with both said medicament containing layer and said electrically conductive means; and

    (d) an ultrasonic element providing means operable for producing mechanical vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies in response to the application of a voltage thereto comprising at least one least one piezoelectric element in mechanical communication with said medicament containing layer which ultrasonic element produces ultrasonic compression waves in at least a portion of said skin-contacting medicament carrying layer; and

    (e) means for applying a voltage to said at least two electrodes; and

    (f) programmable means for controlling said means for applying a voltage to said at least two electrodes;

    said programmable means having stored therein a drug delivery portion for controlling the medicament dosage transdermally delivered and a stimulating portion for applying an electrical stimulus to said skin of a patient to produce a sensation upon each activation of said apparatus, said programmable means reducing said medicament dosage over time upon subsequent activations of said apparatus whereby the patients dependency on said medicament is reduced.

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