Alza Corporation

Thomas A Riddle

Larry A McNichols

John D Badzinski

Johan H Geerke

Keith P Minton

Gary A Lattin

An electrotransport device () for delivering therapeutic agents includes an adjustable voltage boos multiple controller () for boosting the voltage from a power source () to a working voltage Vhaving a value just sufficient to provide the desired therapeutic current level Ithrough the electrodes (), at least of which contains the therapeutic agent to be delivered.

Electrotransport delivery device with voltage boosting circuit

An electrotransport device () for delivering therapeutic agents includes and adjustable voltage boost multiple controller () for boosting the voltage from a power source () to a working voltage Vhaving a value just sufficient to provide the desired therapeutic current level Ithrough the electrodes (), at least of which contains the therapeutic agent to be delivered.

An electrotransport device (10) for delivering therapeutic agents includes an adjustable voltage boost multiple controller (100, 200) for boosting the voltage from a power source (102, 202) to a working voltage V.sub.w having a value just sufficient to provide the desired therapeutic current level I.sub.I through the electrodes (108, 112), at least one of which contains the therapeutic agent to be delivered.

An electrotransport system (20) for delivering a therapeutic agent (36) through a body surface (40) (eg, skin) of a patient includes a pair of electrodes (34, 38) for contacting the body surface, at least one of which contains the therapeutic agent (36). The system (20) is physically separated into a control unit (22) and a delivery unit (24) connected by a radiated energy signal-based telemetry link. The telemetry link may be radio frequency, ultrasonic, optical, infrared or inductively coupled. Signals from the control unit may be transmitted to the delivery unit by the telemetry link, or vice versa. The delivery unit may control electrotransport current on the signal transmitted. The radiated energy signal may be encoded to improve immunity to extrinsic interference. The delivery unit (24) may be configured with sensor means for detecting a condition such as a body or system parameter reaching some predetermined limit. The delivery unit (24) may also have an additional telemetry link connecting to the control unit (22) for transmitting the system or body status condition to the control unit. Visual or audio indicators may be provided on the control unit (22) for indication of system or body status conditions detected and transmitted by the delivery unit (24).

Electrotransport system with remote telemetry link

Tablet treating system 10 treats a series of pharmaceutical tablets 50T with pulses of laser energy 24P within at least one predetermined treatment site 50S on each tablet. A tablet conveyer 12 continuously moves individual tablets along a tablet path 10P. A Laser 14 provides the pulses of laser energy along a stationary laser path which crosses the tablet path defining a stationary intersection zone 14Z common to both paths. The tablet path has periodic treatment windows 20W during which the treatment sites 50S on the moving tablets pass through the stationary intersection zone. The operation of the laser has periodic laser ready windows 24W during which the laser may be fired. A controller 16 is responsive to the movement of the tablet conveyer and to the operation of the laser for activating the laser and treating the tablets. The controller activates the laser when a tablet is passing through the intersection zone and the tablet treatment window coincides with the laser ready window. The controller does not activate the laser and rejects the tablet when the tablet treatment window does not coincide with the laser ready window. An abort mechanism 18 proximate the collection end 10C of the tablet path is responsive to the controller for separating the treated tablets from the rejected tablets.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Thomas A Riddle