The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 21, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 11, 1995
Ronald J Flower, Vernon, NJ (US);
Burton H Sage, Jr, Raleigh, NC (US);
Becton Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US);
Abstract
An iontophoretic drug delivery device of the present invention includes a power source and an electrode assembly containing at least two electrodes, in electrical contact with a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The present invention also includes at least three electrodes in a three electrode embodiment, with the third electrode in electrical contact with a third reservoir. In either embodiment, the first reservoir and the second reservoir contain an active agent to be delivered to an applied area of a patient. The present invention also includes in its two electrode embodiment a switch for reversing the flow of current or in its three electrode embodiment a switch for switching the flow of current, so as to reduce sensation. The devices also include a timer for controlling the amount of time the electrical current flows in each direction. In this way, the devices are suitable for use to deliver an active agent to the applied area approximate the first reservoir when the electrical current flows in one direction for a first period of time and to deliver an active agent to the applied area approximate the second reservoir when the electrical current flows in the other direction during a second period of time. Thus, reversing polarity or switching the flow of current between electrodes, and iontophoresing thereunder below the sensation threshold results in sensation anesthesia so that the current can be raised to deliver the drug without sensation.