Handheld apparatus and method for transdermal drug delivery and analyte extraction

• US 6,708,060 B1
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Syneron Medical Limited (Syneron Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: TransPharma Ltd.
• Inventors: Sohn, Zeʼev, Avrahami, Zohar
• Primary Examiner(s): KENNEDY, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US09/840,522
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19-21, 607/2, 607/3, 607/152, 600/391, 600/372
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428

Abstract

A device is provided for treating skin on the body of a subject. The device includes a plurality of electrodes, which are adapted to be placed in contact with the skin and then moved across the skin while maintaining electrical contact with the skin. The device additionally includes a power source, which is adapted to apply a current between two or more of the plurality of electrodes at the same time as the electrodes are being moved across the skin.

Claims

1. A device for treating skin on the body of a subject, comprising:

a plurality of receiving electrodes, which are adapted to be placed in contact with the skin so as to provide electrical contact with the skin;

a driving electrode, which is adapted to be passed across the receiving electrodes so as to create electrical contact with a first one of the receiving electrodes prior to creating electrical contact with a second one of the receiving electrodes; and

a power source, which is adapted to drive the driving electrode to apply a first current to the first receiving electrode when the driving electrode is in electrical contact with the first receiving electrode, and to apply a second current to the second receiving electrode when the driving electrode is in electrical contact with the second receiving electrode,

wherein the power source is adapted to drive the driving electrode to apply the first and second currents to the first and second receiving electrodes, respectively, and therethrough into stratum corneum of the skin at a magnitude sufficient to ablate the stratum corneum of the skin.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a patch, fixed to the receiving electrodes, which patch is adapted to be applied to the skin.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the receiving electrodes comprises a monopolar electrode.

4. A device according to claim 1, and comprising a marking unit, adapted to apply a substance to the skin so as to demarcate a region of the skin with which the receiving electrodes are placed in contact.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises one or more protrusive elements, adapted to press the skin so as to demarcate a region of the skin with which the receiving electrodes are placed in contact.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the receiving electrodes is adapted to contact the skin to create a contact area having a characteristic length of between about 10 and 100 microns.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the receiving electrodes comprises a bipolar electrode.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving electrodes comprise a return electrode, and wherein the power source is adapted to drive the driving electrode to apply the first current between the first receiving electrode and the return electrode, and the second current between the second receiving electrode and the return electrode.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the power source is adapted to drive the driving electrode to apply the first and second currents in order to allow a substance to pass through the skin.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the power source is adapted to drive the driving electrode to apply the first and second currents in order to allow a substance to pass through the skin into the body of the subject.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the power source is adapted to drive the driving electrode to apply the first and second currents in order to allow a substance to pass through the skin from within the body of the subject.

12. A device according to claim 1, and comprising a substance application unit, adapted to apply a substance to the skin at a site on the skin with which the receiving electrodes are placed in contact.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the power source is adapted to drive the driving electrode to apply the first current through the first receiving electrode into a site on the skin, and wherein the device comprises a substance application unit, adapted to apply a substance to the skin at the site.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the power source is adapted to drive the driving electrode to apply at least one of the currents at a magnitude sufficient to ablate stratum corneum epidermidis of the skin, and, at least partially, a layer of the skin deeper than the stratum corneum epidermidis.

15. A device according to claim 12, wherein the substance application unit comprises:

a reservoir, adapted to contain a dose of the substance; and

a conduit, coupled to the reservoir so as to transport the substance to the site.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the conduit is adapted to provide a desired flow rate of the substance.

17. A device according to claim 15, wherein the substance application unit comprises a porous material, through which the substance passes during transport to the skin, so as to provide a desired flow rate of the substance.

18. A device according to claim 15, wherein the substance application unit comprises a pump, coupled to the reservoir, which is adapted to provide a desired flow rate of the substance.

19. A device according to claim 1, and comprising automated means for moving the driving electrode over the receiving electrodes.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein the power source is adapted to drive the driving electrode to apply the first and second currents such that skin layers beneath the stratum corneum epidermidis are substantially not ablated.