Handheld apparatus and method for transdermal drug delivery and analyte extraction
First Claim
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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.
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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.
220 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for treating skin on the body of a subject, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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.
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16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the conduit is adapted to provide a desired flow rate of the substance.
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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.
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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.
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19. A device according to claim 1, and comprising automated means for moving the driving electrode over the receiving electrodes.
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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.
Specification