Aciont, Inc.

Kevin Li

William I Higuchi

David J Miller

Gordon L Flynn

Matthew S Hastings

An iontophoretic method for transporting compounds of interest across a body tissue is provided. The method utilizes an AC signal in conjunction with a barrier-modifying agent such as a fatty acid, fatty alcohol, bile acid, surfactant, or the like. The method enables the maintenance of a substantially constant electrical state in a localized region of the tissue through which transport occurs, thereby allowing a compound of interest to be transported across the tissue in a controlled and predictable manner. The barrier-modifying agent reduces the time as well as the voltage level required to achieve a target electrical resistance, thereby reducing patient discomfort and increasing the battery life of the iontophoresis device.

Method for increasing the battery life of an alternating current iontophoresis device using a barrier-modifying agent

The invention provides a device for iontophoretically transporting a compound through a localized region of an individual's body tissue. The device comprises first and second iontophoretic electrodes, a reference electrode, a current source, and a monitoring means. The first electrode is placed in ion-conducting relation with the localized region to allow iontophoretic transport of a compound therethrough. The second and transport electrodes are each placed in contact with the individual's body tissue, and all electrodes are spaced apart from each other. The current source is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and applies a current to the localized region of body tissue to effect iontophoretic transport. The monitoring means monitors the electrical resistance of the localized region by measuring any voltage difference between the reference electrode and the first and/or second electrodes. Methods for using a reference electrode to monitor and control iontophoresis are also provided.

Device and method for monitoring and controlling electrical resistance at a tissue site undergoing iontophoresis

A device and method are provided that minimize the changes in flux encountered during iontophoresis and reduce inter-subject variability. For drug delivery, the active agent to be delivered is administered in conjunction with at least one background ion having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the active agent when an electrical current is applied. For analyte extraction, the extraction reservoir contains at least one background ion having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the background ions of the analyte in the tissue when an electrical current is applied.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Kevin Li