Iontophoretic electrode
First Claim
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1. A method for delivering a drug dose, the method comprising:
- applying, to a treatment area of a patient, wherein the treatment area exhibits variations in skin and/or tissue resistance, a drug delivery electrode comprising a malleable retainer, a conductor, and a drug delivery matrix containing a drug, wherein the drug delivery matrix is segmented to cooperate with the conductor to deliver the drug from each segment of the drug delivery matrix at a predetermined dosage;
controlling, by a dose controller operably connected to the drug delivery electrode and a monitor, delivery of the drug from the drug delivery electrode by controlling at least one electrical characteristic of the drug delivery electrode, wherein the dose controller cooperates with the conductor to take into account the variations in skin and/or tissue electrical resistance within the treatment area, whereby an electro-chemical reaction between the conductor and the drug retained within the drug delivery device is adjusted;
monitoring, with a sensor placed near the treatment area, at least one characteristic associated with delivering the drug, wherein the sensor is in signal communication with the monitor and a current controller, and wherein the sensor, the monitor and the current controller cooperate to monitor an amount of electrical current flowing through the conductor proximate to the treatment area; and
automatically adjusting at least one electrical characteristic of the drug delivery electrode in response to the monitored characteristic,whereby an accurate amount of a prescribed dosage of the drug is delivered to the treatment area despite the variations in skin and/or tissue electrical resistance within the treatment area.
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Abstract
An electrode for an iontophoretic drug delivery system includes a retainer having a malleable characteristic. The retainer and a conductor are connected to a platform. The conductor and a dose controller are electrically coupled to the iontophoretic drug delivery system. A drug delivery matrix is operably connected to the platform and proximate the conductor wherein the conductor, the drug delivery matrix, and the dose controller cooperate to deliver a drug to a user when the electrode is affixed to the user and operably connected to the iontophoretic drug delivery system.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for delivering a drug dose, the method comprising:
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applying, to a treatment area of a patient, wherein the treatment area exhibits variations in skin and/or tissue resistance, a drug delivery electrode comprising a malleable retainer, a conductor, and a drug delivery matrix containing a drug, wherein the drug delivery matrix is segmented to cooperate with the conductor to deliver the drug from each segment of the drug delivery matrix at a predetermined dosage; controlling, by a dose controller operably connected to the drug delivery electrode and a monitor, delivery of the drug from the drug delivery electrode by controlling at least one electrical characteristic of the drug delivery electrode, wherein the dose controller cooperates with the conductor to take into account the variations in skin and/or tissue electrical resistance within the treatment area, whereby an electro-chemical reaction between the conductor and the drug retained within the drug delivery device is adjusted; monitoring, with a sensor placed near the treatment area, at least one characteristic associated with delivering the drug, wherein the sensor is in signal communication with the monitor and a current controller, and wherein the sensor, the monitor and the current controller cooperate to monitor an amount of electrical current flowing through the conductor proximate to the treatment area; and automatically adjusting at least one electrical characteristic of the drug delivery electrode in response to the monitored characteristic, whereby an accurate amount of a prescribed dosage of the drug is delivered to the treatment area despite the variations in skin and/or tissue electrical resistance within the treatment area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification