Electrotransport device having a reservoir housing having a flexible conductive element

• US 8,224,435 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Gyory, J. Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): GILBERT, ANDREW M
• Application Number:
  US10/814,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20050004506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,031 Days
• Field of Search: 607/152, 604/20, 604/501, 604/503
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/044 Shape of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0448 Drug reservoir

Abstract

This invention relates to an electrotransport device, which incorporates a flexible conductive element within the reservoir housing of the device, which permits electrical communication from within the housing to outside of the housing without the use of opening, which require various methods of sealing the opening against leaks and moisture.

Claims

1. An electrotransport device comprising:

a reservoir and a non-conductive housing for the reservoir that comprises a substantially flexible electrically conductive element integrally molded within the non-conductive housing,

the electrically conductive element comprising

an electrode end positioned within the non-conductive housing and coated with an electrode coating;

a connecting portion coated with a connecting coating comprising a flexible polymer; and

a contact end positioned outside the non-conductive housing and coated with a contact coating;

wherein a substantially liquid and moisture-impermeable bond is created between the material forming the non-conductive housing and the conductive element.

2. The electrotransport device of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive housing is a single integral component.

3. The electrotransport device of claim 2, wherein the electrotransport device is manufactured without the fabrication of openings or other passages through the non-conductive housing.

4. The electrotransport device of claim 1, wherein the conductive element comprises a substantially planar member.

5. The electrotransport device of claim 1, wherein the conductive element includes a base member having a conductive coating disposed thereon.

6. The electrotransport device of claim 1, wherein the connection coating contains conductive particles.