US5558632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrodes for iontophoresis
Assignee: Iomed LLC
•
Filing: 1994-11-03
•
Granted: 1996-09-24
•
Expires: 2014-11-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved electrode is disclosed for use in administering drug by means of iontophoresis, comprising a conductive element for receiving an electric current from a current source; a reticulated element having a plurality of reticulum for receiving an ionic drug solution for iontophoretic delivery, the reticulum being loaded or having applied thereto a hydrophilic polymer which is viscous when hydrated; and means for securing the reticulated element to the conductive element so that electric current will be distributed substantially uniformly through the reticulated element when hydrated and when current is delivered to the conductive element. The presently preferred embodiment utilizes open cell polyurethane foam as the reticulated element and high molecular weight polyethylene oxide as the hydrophilic polymer. The reticulum is further loaded with Tween 20, a surfactant, which serves to improve the rate of hydration. A reticulated element formed in accordance with the present invention is pliable and conformable both when in wet or dry state, making an electrode formed in accordance with the present invention susceptible of a wide variety of shapes and sizes and relatively easy to manufacture at reasonably low cost.
Inventors
- 👤 Lindsay B. Lloyd
- 👤 Jon E. Beck
- 👤 Tomasz J. Petelenz
- 👤 Clay H. Holt
- 👤 William F. Felman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/20; A61N1/30; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/0404; A61N1/0408; A61N1/0428; A61N1/0432; A61N1/0436; A61N1/044; A61N1/0448
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A conformable electrode for iontophoretic delivery of an ionic drug solution comprising: a conductive element for receiving an electric current delivered from an electric source; a reticulated element, in contact with the conductive element, said reticulated element including a reticulum structure and a plurality of pores formed by said reticulum structure, said plurality of pores having an average pore size and having a pore size which is substantially uniform; a substantially dry, dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element, wherein said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores is characterized after hydration as being substantially uniformly hydrated throughout said plurality of pores and having sufficient fluidity, cohesiveness and viscosity to flow within said plurality of pores while still being substantially retained within said plurality of pores, and wherein said average pore size enhances retention of said hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores when said reticulated element is hydrated to hydrate said hydrophilic polymer within said pores and contributes to rapid hydration of said hydrophilic polymer; and means for securing the reticulated element to the conductive element so that electric current will be distributed substantially uniformly through the reticulated element when hydrated and when current is delivered to the conductive element from an electric current source, whereby the conformable electrode provides current to a skin surface with minimal electrode-induced unequal current distribution at different skin locations within the skin surface being contacted with the conformable electrode for delivery of an ionic drug solution to the skin surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
A conformable electrode for iontophoretic delivery of an ionic drug solution comprising: a conductive element for receiving an electric current delivered from an electric source; a reticulated element, in contact with the conductive element, said reticulated element including a reticulum structure and a plurality of pores formed by said reticulum structure, said plurality of pores having an average pore size and having a pore size which is substantially uniform; a substantially dry, dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element, wherein said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores is characterized after hydration as being substantially uniformly hydrated throughout said plurality of pores and having sufficient fluidity, cohesiveness and viscosity to flow within said plurality of pores while still being substantially retained within said plurality of pores, and wherein said average pore size enhances retention of said hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores when said reticulated element is hydrated to hydrate said hydrophilic polymer within said pores and contributes to rapid hydration of said hydrophilic polymer; and means for securing the reticulated element to the conductive element so that electric current will be distributed substantially uniformly through the reticulated element when hydrated and when current is delivered to the conductive element from an electric current source, whereby the conformable electrode provides current to a skin surface with minimal electrode-induced unequal current distribution at different skin locations within the skin surface being contacted with the conformable electrode for delivery of an ionic drug solution to the skin surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrode as defined in claim 1 wherein the dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element is substantially dry, and hence must be hydrated prior to use in administering drug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode as defined in claim 2, further comprising means for rehydrating said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electrode as defined in claim 2, wherein a solution of drug is used to hydrate said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element prior to use.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode as defined in claim 2 wherein an ionic drug is dispersed in said reticulated element before said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer is hydrated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrode as defined in claim 1, wherein said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element is substantially hydrated with an ionic drug solution so that said electrode need not be hydrated prior to use.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrode as defined in claim 1, wherein the reticulated element is open cell polyurethane foam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrode as defined in claim 1, wherein the reticulated element is substantially rectangular in shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrode as defined in claim 1, wherein the reticulated element is approximately 2.5 millimeters thick.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrode as defined in claim 1, wherein the average pore size of said plurality of pore of said reticulated element is in a range of about 60 to about 150 pores per linear inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrode as defined in claim 1, wherein the average pore size of said plurality of pores of said reticulated element is about 100 pores per linear inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrode as defined in claim 1 wherein said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer is high molecular weight polyethylene oxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode as defined in claim 12, further comprising surfactant applied to said plurality of pores formed by said reticulum structure of said reticulated element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electrode as defined in claim 13, wherein said polyethylene oxide comprises an amount in a range of about 10 to about 20 percent of the dry weight of said reticulated element, and wherein said surfactant comprises an amount in a range of about 10 to about 25 percent of the dry weight of said reticulated element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
An electrode as defined in claim 13, wherein said polyethylene oxide comprises an amount which is about 15 percent of the dry weight of said reticulated element, and said surfactant comprises an amount which is about 17 percent of the dry weight of said reticulated element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrode as defined in claim 1, wherein said conductive element comprises a conductive pattern on a flexible polymer material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
268 words
A conformable electrode for iontophoretic delivery of an ionic drug solution comprising: a conductive element for receiving an electric current delivered from an electric source; a reticulated element, in contact with the conductive element, said reticulated element including a reticulum structure and a plurality of pores formed by said reticulum structure, said reticulated element being formed from open cell polyurethane and being approximately 2.5 millimeters thick, said plurality of pores having an average pore size and having a pore size which is substantially uniform; a substantially dry, dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element, wherein said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores is characterized after hydration as being substantially uniformly hydrated throughout said plurality of pores and having sufficient fluidity, cohesiveness and viscosity to flow within said plurality of pores while still being substantially retained within said plurality of pores, and wherein said average pore size enhances retention of said hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores when said reticulated element is hydrated to hydrate said hydrophilic polymer within said pores and contributes to rapid hydration of said hydrophilic polymer, and means for securing the reticulated element to the conductive element so that electric current will be distributed substantially uniformly through the reticulated element when hydrated and when current is delivered to the conductive element from an electric current source, whereby the conformable electrode provides current to a skin surface with minimal electrode-induced unequal current distribution at different skin locations within the skin surface being contacted with the conformable electrode for delivery of an ionic drug solution to the skin surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
268 words
A conformable electrode for iontophoretic delivery of an ionic drug solution comprising: a conductive element for receiving an electric current delivered from an electric source; a reticulated element, in contact with the conductive element, said reticulated element including a reticulum structure and a plurality of pores formed by said reticulum structure, said reticulated element being formed from open cell polyurethane and being approximately 2.5 millimeters thick, said plurality of pores having an average pore size and having a pore size which is substantially uniform; a substantially dry, dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element, wherein said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores is characterized after hydration as being substantially uniformly hydrated throughout said plurality of pores and having sufficient fluidity, cohesiveness and viscosity to flow within said plurality of pores while still being substantially retained within said plurality of pores, and wherein said average pore size enhances retention of said hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores when said reticulated element is hydrated to hydrate said hydrophilic polymer within said pores and contributes to rapid hydration of said hydrophilic polymer, and means for securing the reticulated element to the conductive element so that electric current will be distributed substantially uniformly through the reticulated element when hydrated and when current is delivered to the conductive element from an electric current source, whereby the conformable electrode provides current to a skin surface with minimal electrode-induced unequal current distribution at different skin locations within the skin surface being contacted with the conformable electrode for delivery of an ionic drug solution to the skin surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electrode as defined in claim 17 wherein a solution of drug is used to hydrate said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element prior to use.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode as defined in claim 17, further comprising means for rehydrating said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrode as defined in claim 19, wherein said means for rehydrating said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer within said plurality of pores throughout said reticulated element comprises a reservoir element for receiving said reticulated element and a solution for hydrating the dehydrated hydrophilic polymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode as defined in claim 17, wherein an ionic drug is dispersed in said reticulated element before said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer is hydrated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrode as defined in claim 17, wherein said conductive element comprises a conductive pattern on a flexible polymer material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrode as defined in claim 17,wherein the average pore size of said plurality of pores of said reticulated element is in a range of about 60 to about 150 pores per linear inch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrode as defined in claim 17, wherein the average pore size of said plurality of pores of said reticulated element is about 100 pores per linear inch.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrode as defined in claim 17, wherein said dehydrated hydrophilic polymer is high molecular weight polyethylene oxide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode as defined in claim 25, further comprising surfactant applied to said plurality of pores formed by said reticulum structure of said reticulated element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electrode as defined in claim 26, wherein said polyethylene oxide comprises an amount in a range of about 10 to about 20 percent of the dry weight of said reticulated element, and wherein said surfactant comprises an amount in a range of about 10 to about 25 percent of the dry weight of said reticulated element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrode as defined in claim 26, wherein the said polyethylene oxide comprises an amount which is about 15 percent of the dry weight of said reticulated element, and said surfactant comprises an amount which is about 17 percent of the dry weight of said reticulated element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4033334A
Cited
US4164226A
Cited
US4327728A
Cited
US4383529A
Cited
EP0058920A1
Cited
US4416274A
Cited
US4474570A
Cited
US4419092A
Cited
US4921475A
Cited
US4747819A
Cited
US4702732A
Cited
US4731926A
Cited
US4708149A
Cited
GB2184016A
Cited
US4722726A
Cited
US4842577A
Cited
US5002814A
Cited
US4731049A
Cited
US4878892A
Cited
EP0299615A2
Cited
US4989607A
Cited
US5087242A
Cited
US5236412A
Cited
WO1991011216A1
Cited
WO1991011215A1
Cited
US5084006A
Cited
WO1991015260A1
Cited
US5147297A
Cited
US5087241A
Cited
WO1992007619A1
Cited
WO1992007618A1
Cited
US5158537A
Cited
US5156591A
Cited
WO1992010235A1
Cited
US5203768A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-24 | 2000-03-25 | 2000-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-24 | 2004-03-25 | 2004-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-24 | 2008-03-25 | 2008-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |