Remote and local controlled delivery of pharmaceutical compounds using electromagnetic energy

• US 6,689,380 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2000
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Spectra Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Spectra Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Marchitto, Kevin S., Flock, Stephen T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Page, Thurman K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Di Nola Baron, Liliana
• Application Number:
  US09/573,147
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 424/422, 424/443, 424/447, 424/49, 424/423, 604/890.1, 604/19, 600/9, 600/10, 607/88, 607/89, 607/100, 607/101
• US Class Current: 424/449
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/203 applying laser energy to the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00765 Decreasing the barrier function of skin tissue by radiated energy, e.g. using ultrasound, using laser for skin perforation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

The present invention provides a method/system for remote and local controlled delivery of pharmaceutical compounds or biomolecule collection using electromagnetic energy. Controlled electromagnetic energy driven systems are integrated into patches and other delivery devices. Also provided is a drug delivery or biomolecule collection patch electronically monitored by global positioning system.

Claims

1. A system for controlling and increasing the rate of delivery of a pharmaceutical to a subject, comprising:

a patch topically positioned in relation to said subject, said patch comprising;

said pharmaceutical;

an electrode in direct contact with the patch, said electrode transmitting radiofrequency energy or microwave energy into the patch thereby distributing said radiofrequency or microwave energy to said pharmaceutical, to said subject or to both said pharmaceutical and said subject, wherein said radiofrequency energy or said microwave energy creates a pressure wave to propel said pharmaceutical through one or more tissues in said subject or alters permeability of said tissue(s) to said pharmaceutical in said subject or, in combination, propels said pharmaceutical across said altered tissues,

a microprocessor, said microprocessor positioned externally to the patch but in contact with said electrode such that said electrode is in direct contact with both the patch and a controller in said microprocessor, said controller regulating transmission of said radiofrequency or microwave energy through said electrode via local transmission or via remote transmission of a signal to said microprocessor; and

a communication means to monitor and/or to interrogate said microprocessor, further comprising a means to transmit said signal to said microprocessor;

wherein integration of said electrode and of said microprocessor into the patch provides controlled and increased rate of drug delivery to the subject wearing the patch while the subject is ambulatory and, optionally, geographically remote from the communication means.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor is powered by a radiofrequency generator or a microwave generator.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said patch is made of a dressing material, a gel, a viscous material, or an adhesive material.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said patch contains one or more reservoirs separated by at least one rupturable membrane.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the multiple reservoir-containing patch stores an unstable pharmaceutical compound, wherein a lyophilized crystal portion of said compound is stored in a first reservoir and a liquid portion of said compound is stored in a second reservoir.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said pharmaceutical compound is prostaglandin E1.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication means comprises a computer monitor connected to the Internet.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication means monitors the geographical location of the subject wearing the patch via a global positioning system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said global positioning system is a global positioning satellite receiver.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said pharmaceutical compound is selected from the group consisting of an anesthetic drug, an anti-neoplastic drug, a photodynamic therapeutical drug, an anti-infection drug, and an anti-inflammatory drug.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said anesthetic drug is lidocaine.