초록 ▼

A dry-state iontophoretic drug delivery device (10, 70, 80) is provided. The device has drug and electrolyte reservoirs (15, 16) which are initially in a non-hydrated condition. A liquid-containing pouch (21, 22) is provided. In certain embodiments the liquid is contained in breakable capsules withi

A dry-state iontophoretic drug delivery device (10, 70, 80) is provided. The device has drug and electrolyte reservoirs (15, 16) which are initially in a non-hydrated condition. A liquid-containing pouch (21, 22) is provided. In certain embodiments the liquid is contained in breakable capsules within the pouch. Water or other liquid can be released from the capsules in the pouch by squeezing or flexing the pouches (21,22). Alternatively, the liquid can be released from the pouches (21,22) using pouch piercing pins (36,37). The liquid released from the pouches (21,22) hydrates the drug and electrolyte reservoirs (15, 16) and activates the device. In another embodiment, the device (20, 20a) has liquid-containing gel layers (31,32) which are initially separated from their respective electrode assemblies (8, 9). Liquid-wicking pathways (27,28) are provided to carry the liquid from the gel layers (31,32) to the drug and electrolyte layers (15, 16).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A multilaminate dry state electrode assembly for an electrically powered iontophoretic agent delivery device, the electrode assembly having a reservoir layer including a substantially non-hydrated, hydratable matrix for containing an agent to be delivered, the reservoir layer being adapted to be

1. A multilaminate dry state electrode assembly for an electrically powered iontophoretic agent delivery device, the electrode assembly having a reservoir layer including a substantially non-hydrated, hydratable matrix for containing an agent to be delivered, the reservoir layer being adapted to be placed in agent-transmitting relation with a body surface and an electrode layer in electrical contact with both the reservoir layer and a power source, the electrode assembly including: means for hydrating the substantially non-hydrated matrix, said hydrating means including a release liner comprising two portions, said portions being joined together by a connecting means, said substantially non-hydrated matrix being located on one of said portions and a liquid containing container being located on said other of said portions, the container being initially isolated from, and movable into fluid communication with, the hydratable matrix, said connecting means being for placing said nonhydrated matrix and said liquid containing container in fluid communication with each other and being selected from the group consisting of a foldable portion and a weakened portion adapted to be torn; and means for releasing the liquid from the container when the container is in fluid communication with the hydratable matrix in order to hydrate the matrix and activate the electrode assembly. 2. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the agent is unstable or becomes degraded in the presence of the liquid. 3. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is a donor electrode assembly and the agent is a drug. 4. The electrode assembly of claim 3, wherein the liquid comprises water. 5. The electrode assembly of claim 3, wherein the liquid comprises an aqueous solution of a drug. 6. The electrode assembly of claim 3, wherein the liquid comprises an aqueous suspension of the drug. 7. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is a counter electrode assembly and the agent is an electrolyte. 8. The electrode assembly of claim 7, wherein the electrolyte is a water soluble electrolyte salt. 9. The electrode assembly of claim 7, wherein the liquid comprises water. 10. The electrode assembly of claim 7, wherein the liquid comprises an aqueous solution of the electrolyte. 11. The electrode assembly of claim 10, wherein the liquid comprises an aqueous suspension of the electrolyte. 12. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the multilaminate electrode assembly includes an ion-conducting adhesive layer adapted to secure the electrode assembly to the body surface. 13. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the multilaminate electrode assembly includes a semipermeable membrane layer position between the reservoir layer and the body surface. 14. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a hydrophilic polymer. 15. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a mixture of a hydrophilic polymer and a hydrophobic polymer. 16. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the body surface is intact skin. 17. The electrode assembly of claim 1, including a wicking layer in fluid communication with the agent reservoir layer. 18. The electrode assembly of claim 3, wherein the means for releasing the liquid from the container comprises a pin adapted to pierce the container when the electrode layer is placed in electrical contact with the reservoir layer. 19. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the body surface is a mucosal membrane. 20. An electrically powered iontophoretic agent delivery device including a multilaminate dry state donor electrode assembly and a multilaminate dry state counter electrode assembly, the donor electrode assembly having a drug reservoir including a substantially non-hydrated hydratable matrix for containing a drug to be delivered, the drug reservoir being adapted to be placed in drug transmitting relation with a body surface and a donor electrode in electrical contact with the drug reservoir, the counter electrode assembly having an electrolyte matrix for containing an electrolyte to be delivered, the electrolyte reservoir being adapted to be placed in electrolyte-transmitting relation with a body surface and a counter electrode in electrical contact with the electrolyte reservoir; means for hydrating the substantially non-hydrated drug reservoir matrix and the substantially non-hydrated electrolyte reservoir matrix, said hydrating means including a release liner comprising two portions, said portions being joined together by a connecting means, said substantially non-hydrated drug reservoir matrix and said substantially non-hydrated electrolyte reservoir matrix being located on one of said portions and at least one liquid containing container being located on said other of said portions, said at least one container being initially isolated from, and movable into fluid communication with, at least one of the hydratable drug reservoir matrix and the hydratable electrolyte reservoir matrix; said connecting means being for placing at least one of said non-hydrated matrices and said at least one liquid containing container in fluid communication with each other being selected from the group consisting of a foldable portion and a weakened portion adapted to be torn; and means for releasing the liquid from the at least one liquid containing container when the container is in fluid communication with at least one of said hydratable drug reservoir matrix and said hydratable electrolyte reservoir matrix in order to hydrate at least one of the drug reservoir matrix and the electrolyte reservoir matrix and activate at least one of the donor and counter electrode assemblies; and a source of electrical power which is electrically connected to the donor electrode in the donor electrode assembly and the counter electrode in the counter electrode assembly, the electrode assemblies being separated by an ionimpermeable separator. 21. The device of claim 20, wherein the separator is comprises of a hydrophobic polymer. 22. The device of claim 20, wherein the power source comprises a battery. 23. A method of hydrating a multilaminate dry state electrode assembly in an electrically powered iontophoretic agent delivery device, the electrode assembly having a reservoir layer including a substantially non-hydrated hydratable matrix for containing an agent to be delivered, the reservoir layer being adapted to be placed in agent-transmitting relation with a body surface and an electrode layer in electrical contact with a power source and the reservoir layer, the method comprising: providing a liquid-containing container which is initially isolated form the hydratable matrix; moving the container into fluid communication with the hydratable matrix by folding a connecting means which connects the non-hydrated matrix with the liquid containing container; and releasing the liquid from the container when the container is in fluid communication with the hydratable matrix in order to hydrate the matrix and activate the electrode assembly. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the agent is unstable or becomes degraded in the presence of the liquid. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the electrode assembly is a donor electrode assembly and the agent is a drug. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the liquid comprises water. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the liquid comprises an aqueous solution of the drug. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the liquid comprises an aqueous suspension of the drug. 29. The method of claim 23, wherein the electrode assembly is a counter electrode assembly and the agent is an electrolyte. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the liquid comprises water. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the liquid is an aqueous solution of the electrolyte. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the liquid comprises an aqueous suspension of the electrolyte. 33. The method of claim 23, wherein the matrix comprises a hydrophilic polymer. 34. The method of claim 23, wherein the matrix comprises a mixture of a hydrophilic polymer and a hydrophobic polymer. 35. The method of claim 23, wherein the liquid is released from the pouch by piercing the pouch with a pin. 36. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a pouch. 37. The method of claim 23, wherein the container comprises a pouch.