Device and method for renewing electrodes during iontophoresis
First Claim
1. An operable iontophoretic delivery device having electrode renewing features comprising:
- housing means including a first electrode, a second electrode, insulating means for electrically separating said first and second electrodes, circuit means providing for electrical communication between said first and second electrodes, said circuit means adapted to engage a source of current for providing current between said first and second electrodes, switch means for changing the direction of said current, and control means for affecting the amount of current passing between said electrodes;
a removable electrolyte reservoir capable of holding electrolyte, said electrolyte reservoir capable of removably engaging said housing so that one of said electrodes can contact electrolyte contained in said reservior; and
a removable active agent reservoir capable of holding an active agent for iontophoretic delivery, said active agent reservoir capable of removably engaged said housing so that said active agent can contact one of said electrodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an iontophoretic drug delivery device having electrode renewing features includes a housing having a first electrode, a second electrode, a circuit for providing electrical communication between the first and second electrodes. The circuit is capable of engaging a source of current. Control means is provided for effecting the amount of current passing between the electrodes. A removable electrolyte reservoir is capable of holding electrolyte and removably engaging the housing so that one of the electrodes can contact electrolyte contained within the reservoir. A removable active agent reservoir is capable of holding an active agent for iontophoretic delivery. The active agent reservoir is capable of removably engaging the housing so that the active agent contacts one of the electrodes.
The present invention also provides a method for renewing electrodes during delivery of an active agent from an iontophoretic system which comprises at least two electrodes and means for containing an active agent, which method comprises:
a) delivering an active agent in connection with a first electrode which completes a circuit with a second electrode in connection with an electrolyte, and
b) delivering an active agent from the second electrode by replacing the electrolyte with an active agent in connection with the second electrode and replacing the active agent with an electrolyte in connection with the first electrode.
104 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An operable iontophoretic delivery device having electrode renewing features comprising:
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housing means including a first electrode, a second electrode, insulating means for electrically separating said first and second electrodes, circuit means providing for electrical communication between said first and second electrodes, said circuit means adapted to engage a source of current for providing current between said first and second electrodes, switch means for changing the direction of said current, and control means for affecting the amount of current passing between said electrodes; a removable electrolyte reservoir capable of holding electrolyte, said electrolyte reservoir capable of removably engaging said housing so that one of said electrodes can contact electrolyte contained in said reservior; and a removable active agent reservoir capable of holding an active agent for iontophoretic delivery, said active agent reservoir capable of removably engaged said housing so that said active agent can contact one of said electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 8. The operable iontophoretic delivery device of claim further including holding means for holding said electrolyte reservoir and said active agent reservoir in spaced relationship so that both reservoirs may be simultaneously removably connected to said housing with either reservoir aligned with either electrode.
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15. An operable iontophoretic drug delivery device having electrode renewing features comprising:
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housing means including a first electrode contact means, a second electrode contact means, insulating means for electrically separating said first and said second electrode contact means, circuit means providing for electrical communication between said first and second contact means, said circuit means adapted to engage a source of current for providing current between said first and second electrode contact means, and control means for affecting the amount of current passing between said first and second electrode contact means; a removable first reservoir including a first electrode, said first reservoir adapted to hold an active agent or an electrolyte in contact with said first electrode, said first reservoir capable of removably engaging said housing so that said first electrode can contact one of said contact means; and a removable second reservoir including a second electrode, said second reservoir adapted to hold an active agent or an electrolyte in contact with said second electrode, said second reservoir capable of removably engaging said housing so that said second electrode can contact the other of said contact means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for renewing electrodes during delivery of an active agent from an iontophoretic system which comprises at least two electrodes and means for containing an active agent, which method comprises:
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a) delivering an active agent in connection with a first electrode which completes a circuit with a second electrode in connection with an electrolyte, and b) delivering an active agent from the second electrode by replacing the electrolyte with an active agent in connection with the second electrode and replacing the active agent with an electrolyte in connection with the first electrode. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification