초록 ▼

Methods and apparatus for administering known quantities of medicaments by iontophoresis, while avoiding burns caused by extremes in the pH of the medicament medium during passage of an electric current, are disclosed. It is known that as iontophoresis progresses in conventional iontophoresis system

Methods and apparatus for administering known quantities of medicaments by iontophoresis, while avoiding burns caused by extremes in the pH of the medicament medium during passage of an electric current, are disclosed. It is known that as iontophoresis progresses in conventional iontophoresis systems, the electrolysis of water occurs to produce hydrogen or hydroxyl ions at the interface of the electrode and medicament medium. Since these ions are highly mobile, they are transported directly into the skin of a patient in preference to the larger medicament ions. Thus, extreme changes in pH are experienced which result in burns due to the acidificaion or alkalinization of the medicament medium and passage of electric current through the skin. In addition, the efficiency of iontophoresis decreases over time. The present invention avoids extremes in pH by removing the hydrogen or hydroxyl ions which are created during iontophoresis and creates conditions for constant delivery over prolonged periods of time. In the present invention, the medicament ions are attached to an ion exchange matrix, such as an ion exchange resin. When the medicament leaves the ion exchange matrix, the vacated active site is filled by the produced electrolysis products, thereby allowing iontophoresis to progress at a relatively constant pH.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for iontophoretically administering a medicament through the skin of a patient while simultaneously removing competing ions from the medicament medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining an ion exchange matrix and a drug comprising medicament ions which are insoluble in an io

A method for iontophoretically administering a medicament through the skin of a patient while simultaneously removing competing ions from the medicament medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining an ion exchange matrix and a drug comprising medicament ions which are insoluble in an iontophoresis medium and complementary ions; (b) obtaining a first electrode and a second electrode; (c) obtaining an iontophoresis medium; (d) placing the ion exchange matrix and the drug in communication with iontophoresis medium such that the medicament ions are precipitated onto the ion exchange matrix; (e) placing the first electrode in communication with the iontophoresis medium; (f) placing the iontophoresis medium in communication with the patient such that the medium is disposed between the first electrode and the skin of the patient; (g) placing the second electrode in communication with the skin of the patient at a point distal from the first electrode; and (h) creating an electrical voltage difference between the first and second electrodes, said voltage difference causing the electrolysis reaction of water, the products of the electrolysis of water acting to solubilize the medicament such that the medicament ions are transported through the skin of the patient, while an approximately constant pH is maintained within the iontophoresis medium.