Device for iontophoretic administration of drugs

• US 6,442,423 B1
• Filed: 09/25/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hadasit Medical Research Services & Development Ltd (Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.), Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
• Original Assignee: Hadasit Medical Research Services & Development Ltd (Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.), Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
• Inventors: Frucht-Perry, Joseph, Domb, Abraham, Shapiro, Mervyn
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US09/622,097
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 604/294, 604/20, 604/501
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis

Abstract

The present invention concerns a device (10) for administration of charged drugs to the eye comprising an applicator with a receiving portion for holding a hydrogel carrier loaded with the drug. The device also comprises an electric current generating element (15, 13, 14) for generating currents not exceeding 1000 μAmp coupled to a timing element (11) which ensures that currents do not last more than 120 secs.

Claims

1. A device for iontophoretic administration of charged drugs to the eye comprising:

an applicator formed with a receiving portion adapted for holding a replaceable hydrogel carrier loaded with said drug and allowing contact of the carrier with a surface of the eye;

an electric current generating element, for generating currents not higher than about 1000 μ

Amp, being electrically coupled to the said receiving portion such that the current once generated passes through the hydrogel carrier in a direction essentially normal to said surface;

a timing element for activating the electrical current generating element for pre-set periods of time not exceeding 120 seconds; and

a switch for activating said timing device.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is hand held.

3. A device according to claim 2 in the form of a hand held instrument with said applicator being integrally formed therein.

4. A device according to claim 3, having the shape of an elongated member with the applicator formed at one end thereof.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is formed with an indention for receiving a hydrogel carrier pellet.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the indention is adapted to receive a cylindrical hydrogel pellet.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is formed as a section of a ring or as a ring having an adjustable dimension.

8. A device according to claim 3, wherein the electric element is battery operated and the instrument includes a receptacle for holding batteries.

9. A device according to claim 1, having a ground element as a wire externally from the applicator.

10. A device according to claim 1, comprising an electric current control component for adjusting the level of electric current produced by the electric current generating element, to pre-set levels.

11. A system for the iontophoretic administration of drugs to the eye comprising a device according to claim 1, and a drug-loaded hydrogel carrier of a shape and size such so it may be accommodated within the receiving portion of said device.

12. A method for the administration of charged drugs to the eye comprising:

(i) contacting a substance of the eye with a hydrogel carrier impregnated with said drug;

(ii) passing a current through said carrier at an intensity below about 1000 μ

Amp for a period not exceeding 120 seconds and in a direction normal to said surface, thereby causing the charged drug to migrate from said carrier to the eye.