Iontophoretic electrode with improved current distribution
First Claim
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1. An electrode, for use in an iontophoretic drug delivery apparatus, comprising:
- at least one first conductive layer of material having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axis extending between the proximal and distal end, wherein the conductive layer undergoes an electrochemical reaction upon application of an electric current, the conductive layer having at least one lead attachment region associated with the proximal end; and
at least one dielectric layer of material disposed upon at least a portion of, but less than the entirety of, the at least one conductive layer of material, wherein the dielectric layer is configured in a continuous and uninterrupted pattern extending from the at least one lead attachment region to a region of the conductive layer distally spaced from the lead attachment region, the pattern comprising a substantially linear trunk running along the axis of the conductive layer, having at least one terminal end.
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Abstract
An electrode for use in an iontophoretic drug delivery having a substantially uniform distribution of current about the electrode. One such electrode includes a substrate, at least one first conductive layer of material disposed upon the substrate and at least one dielectric layer of material disposed upon at least a portion of the at least one conductive layer of material. The dielectric layer cooperates with the conductive layer of material to promote the substantially uniform distribution of current. Another such electrode includes a substrate, a conductive layer of material and a sacrificial layer of material.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An electrode, for use in an iontophoretic drug delivery apparatus, comprising:
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at least one first conductive layer of material having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axis extending between the proximal and distal end, wherein the conductive layer undergoes an electrochemical reaction upon application of an electric current, the conductive layer having at least one lead attachment region associated with the proximal end; and
at least one dielectric layer of material disposed upon at least a portion of, but less than the entirety of, the at least one conductive layer of material, wherein the dielectric layer is configured in a continuous and uninterrupted pattern extending from the at least one lead attachment region to a region of the conductive layer distally spaced from the lead attachment region, the pattern comprising a substantially linear trunk running along the axis of the conductive layer, having at least one terminal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electrode, for use in an iontophoretic drug delivery apparatus, comprising:
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a first conductive layer of material, which does not undergo a chemical reaction upon application of an electrical current, the first conductive layer having at least one lead attachment region; and
at least one sacrificial layer of material disposed upon at least a portion of the at least one conductive layer of material and having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axis extending between the proximal and distal end, wherein the lead attachment region of the first conductive layer is associated with the proximal end;
wherein the first conductive layer of material is configured in a continuous and uninterrupted pattern extending from the at least one lead attachment region to a region of the at least one sacrificial layer of material proximate the distal end, wherein the pattern comprises a substantially linear trunk running along the axis of the sacrificial layer, having at least one terminal end. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21)
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16. A method of manufacturing an electrode for use in association with an iontophoretic drug delivery apparatus comprising the steps of:
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providing a substrate;
applying a conductive layer of material upon at least a portion of the substrate, the conductive layer having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axis extending between the proximal and distal end, wherein the conductive layer undergoes an electrochemical reaction upon application of an electric current, the conductive layer having at least one lead attachment region associated with the proximal end; and
applying a dielectric layer of material upon a portion of, but less than the entirety of the conductive layer of material, wherein the dielectric layer is configured in a continuous and uninterrupted pattern extending from the at least one lead attachment region along the axis of the conductive layer to a region of the conductive layer proximate the distal end, the pattern comprising a substantially linear trunk running along the axis of the conductive layer, and having at least one terminal end. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
associating a lead with the at least one attachment region.
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18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:
applying at least one conductive layer upon at least one of the exposed conductive layer of material and the dielectric layer of material.
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19. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of applying a conductive layer of material comprises the step of:
printing the conductive layer of material upon the substrate.
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20. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of applying a dielectric layer of material comprises the step of:
printing the dielectric layer of material upon the substrate.
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22. A method of manufacturing an electrode for use in association with an iontophoretic drug delivery apparatus comprising the step of:
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providing a substrate;
applying a conductive layer of material upon a portion of the substrate, which does not undergo a chemical reaction upon application of an electric current, the conductive layer having at least one lead attachment region; and
applying a sacrificial layer of material upon the conductive layer of material, the sacrificial layer having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axis extending between the proximal and distal end, wherein the lead attachment region is associated with the proximal end;
wherein the first conductive layer of material is applied to the substrate in a continuous and uninterrupted pattern extending from the at least one lead attachment region along the axis of the sacrificial layer to a region of the at least one sacrificial layer proximate the distal end of the sacrificial layer, wherein the pattern comprises a substantially linear trunk running along the axis of the sacrificial layer, and having at least one terminal end. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
printing the conductive layer of material upon the substrate.
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24. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of applying a sacrificial layer of material comprises the step of:
printing the sacrificial layer of material upon at least a portion of the conductive layer.
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25. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of:
applying a transition conductive layer after the step of applying a conductive layer of material.
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26. The method of claim 22, wherein the pattern further comprises at least one branch.
Specification