Methods and systems for electrokinetic delivery of a substance

• US 8,328,788 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2011
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HG Medical Technologies, LLC (Henley Ion, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nitric Biotherapeutics, Inc.
• Inventors: Henley, Julian L., Chang, Kuo Wei, Potter, Joseph, Goldberg, Dennis I., Derouin, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US13/105,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20110213295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 604/501, 604/20, 604/22, 604/19, 604/289, 604/500, 607/15, 607/115, 607/120, 607/149, 607/152, 601/1, 601/2, 206/368, 206/369, 151/049.4
• US Class Current: 604/501
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/044 Shape of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0448 Drug reservoir
• 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 method for delivering a substance to an infected nail of an individual is described. The method includes the step of applying a device to at least one infected nail of an individual, where the device includes at least one active electrode and at least one counter electrode, where the at least one counter electrode is in contact with the individual, and where the device is connected to at least one power source. The method also includes the steps of disposing a medicament between the at least one active electrode and the at least one infected nail, applying a salt solution to the at least one infected nail, and providing an electrical current from the power source to the at least one active electrode to facilitate delivery of the medicament into the region of the at least one infected nail.

Claims

1. A method for delivering a substance to an infected nail of an individual, comprising:

applying a device to at least one infected nail of an individual, wherein the device includes at least one active electrode and at least one counter electrode, wherein the at least one counter electrode is in contact with the individual, and wherein the device is connected to at least one power source;

disposing a medicament between the at least one active electrode and the at least one infected nail;

applying a salt solution to the at least one infected nail prior to delivery of the medicament; and

providing an electrical current from the power source to the at least one active electrode to facilitate delivery of the medicament into the region of the at least one infected nail.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the medicament is an anti-fungal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the medicament is contained within a pad.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the medicament comprises a conductive fluid.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the nail is a toenail.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the medicament is delivered directly into the nail bed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the medicament is delivered into the nail bed and surrounding nail tissue.

8. A system for delivering a substance to an infected nail of an individual, comprising:

a power source;

a device connected to the power source, the device comprising at least one active electrode and at least one counter electrode, wherein the at least one counter electrode is in contact with the individual;

a medicament disposed between the at least one active electrode of the device and the infected nail of the individual;

wherein the infected nail is first treated with a salt solution, and subsequently an electrical current is provided from the power source to the at least one active electrode to electrokinetically drive the medicament into the salt-treated region of the infected nail.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the substance is delivered directly into the salt-treated nail bed.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the substance is contained within a pad.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the substance comprises a conductive fluid.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the nail is a toenail.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the substance is an anti-fungal agent.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the substance is delivered into the salt-treated nail bed and surrounding salt-treated nail tissue.

15. A device for delivery of a substance to a treatment site on an individual, comprising:

a power supply;

an applicator including a first electrode and a pad for containing a substance, wherein the first electrode is connected to the power supply and the pad is positioned on a first side of the applicator with the first electrode overlying the pad;

a second electrode connected to the power supply;

wherein, after application of a salt solution to the treatment site, the applicator is applied against the treatment site and the second electrode is placed in contact with a portion of the individual'"'"'s body, an electrical circuit is completed between the first electrode through the treatment site, the portion of the individual'"'"'s body and the second electrode for electrokinetically driving the substance into the treatment site.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the substance is an anti-fungal agent.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the substance comprises a conductive fluid.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the treatment site is a nail.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the nail is a toenail.