Abstract: The potential for substance abuse involving residual amounts of abusable substances remaining in used skin-worn patches is reduced by the provision of a system and method for combining the abusable substance with a separate anti-abuse substance agent as part of a removal or disposal procedure.

Abstract: The potential for environmental release of unused and expired medications is reduced by the provision of a system and method for combining the unused or expired medication with an amount of activated carbon as part of a disposal procedure.

Abstract: An integrated iontophoresis skin-worn patch and method for delivering a therapeutically effective amount of a corticosteroid drug compound in a systemically-safe and skin-safe manner for site-specific treatment of inflammation pain is disclosed.

Abstract: Iontophoretic patches for the delivery of anti-migraine compounds and methods of using the patches are described.

Abstract: A transdermal system for the delivery of an anesthetic or other active therapeutic agent directly to a selected site of injured skin tissue by iontophoresis is disclosed, which utilizes a transdermal skin-worn patch including a donor electrode chamber containing a donor electrode and an amount of an active agent in a form suitable for transdermal delivery in electrical communication with the donor electrode and a return electrode. The patch also contains a source of electric current connected in a circuit with the donor and return electrode, a current regulating device is optionally provided in the circuit for controlling the electrical output of the patch and at least the donor electrode chamber includes a provision for absorbing a quantity of fluid associated with weepage from adjacent injured skin tissue.

Abstract: A planar disposable transdermal iontophoretic delivery system is disclosed which includes amounts of an oxidizable species and a reducible species connected by a common conductor forming a galvanic battery for serving as the sole source of power and control for the system, an amount of a therapeutic agent is provided to be driven through the skin of a patient solely through the use of the galvanic battery. The galvanic battery is provided with a lot-tested coulombic capacity rating to predict dosage.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in an iontophoresis device for the transcutaneous administration of an active therapeutic species includes a base layer of conductive material which is consumed (oxidizes or reduces) preferentially to water, a first upper layer of sacrificial material coated on a first portion of the base layer wherein the sacrificial material is consumed preferentially to the conductive material of the base layer. A second upper layer of non-conducting material is coated on a second portion of the base layer, the second upper layer being spaced from the first upper layer, a narrow exposed linking area of the base layer material remaining therebetween. The exposed linking area of the base layer extends across the base layer. During operation of an associated iontophoresis device, the sacrificial material will be sequentially consumed; the first upper layer will be followed by the exposed linking area of the base layer which severs the base layer thereby breaking circuit continuity in the device.

Abstract: A transdermal iontophoretic therapeutic agent delivery system which is provided with a plurality of self-contained serially connected galvanic sources.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in an iontophoresis device for the transcutaneous administration of an active therapeutic species includes a base layer of conductive material which is consumed (oxidizes or reduces) preferentially to water, a first upper layer of sacrificial material coated on a first portion of the base layer wherein the sacrificial material is consumed preferentially to the conductive material of the base layer. A second upper layer of non-conducting material is coated on a second portion of the base layer, the second upper layer being spaced from the first upper layer, a narrow exposed linking area of the base layer material remaining therebetween. The exposed linking area of the base layer extends across the base layer. During operation of an associated iontophoresis device, the sacrificial material will be sequentially consumed; the first upper layer will be followed by the exposed linking area of the base layer which severs the base layer thereby breaking circuit continuity in the device.

Abstract: A reliable, self-contained iontophoretic drug delivery system is disclosed which enjoys a long stable shelf life and which is easy for the user to activate and employ. This system includes a wearable iontophoretic device that is prepackaged as a complete self-contained unit which includes the active species or drug to be administered and counter ions. The system includes a provision for isolating moisture sources from the electrodes and from the power source during storage and provides a simple, user-friendly mechanism to connect the drug to be administered and counter ion reservoirs to the electrodes and the device to the skin of a user in order to activate the device circuit. All elements of the device are contained in a single outer package.

Abstract: The capacity of an electro-chemical power source having an initial amount of an oxidizable material and an initial amount of a reducible material, is adjusted to a target capacity by altering the initial amount of one or both of the oxidizable material and the reducible material available to participate in the source by a technique selected from the group consisting of adding, removing and isolating a known fraction of the initial amount from the power source.

Abstract: A planar disposable transdermal iontophoretic delivery system is disclosed which includes amounts of an oxidizable species and a reducible species connected by a common conductor forming a galvanic battery for serving as the sole source of power and control for the system, an amount of a therapeutic agent is provided to be driven through the skin of a patient solely through the use of the galvanic battery. The galvanic battery is provided with a lot-tested coulombic capacity rating to predict dosage.

Abstract: A transdermal iontophoretic therapeutic agent delivery system which is provided with a plurality of self-contained serially connected galvanic sources.

Abstract: The capacity of an electro-chemical power source having an initial amount of an oxidizable material and an initial amount of a reducible material, is adjusted to a target capacity by altering the initial amount of one or both of the oxidizable material and the reducible material available to participate in the source by a technique selected from the group consisting of adding, removing and isolating a known fraction of the initial amount from the power source.

Abstract: A biosensing system and method are disclosed for the quantitative determination of the concentration of particular analyte ions in biological sera in the presence of interfering ion species and, more particularly, to the quantitative determination of the concentration of analytes that are produced by biologically active materials including enzyme catalyzed reactions and are indicative of the presence of reactant species of interest in blood. The invention further deals with interfering ion species in a manner that eliminates the need for additional sensors or separate baseline sensors. The invention is exemplified by embodiments for the determination of the concentration of blood urea and creatinine using an ion transport related time delay potentiometric determination technique.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the coagulation propensity of blood wherein a condition in a portion of a blood sample is assessed and related to the onset of coagulation. Apparatus for performing the method is encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: A portable device that includes a plurality of test modules for analyzing preselected concentrations of various body fluids of a patient. The portable diagnostic device interfaces and utilizes disposable cartridges and reagent diagnostic test strips and other fluid sample diagnostic devices to determine the amounts of preselected parameters in a patient's blood through either electrochemical, electrical, optical, or mechanical analysis. The disposable fluid sample diagnostic devices may include sample chambers with inlet ports, electrical, physical, or chemical sensors, in situ calibration media, a plurality of electrical interface terminals, and temperature control elements. An electrical interface interconnects the various test modules with one or more corresponding integrated circuits which in turn are electrically coupled to a common interactive display, printer, power supply, and communication ports.

Abstract: A portable clinical system for providing a rapid electrochemical analysis of biological sera of interest at the point-of-care using a portable analyzer unit and a multi-sensor electrochemical plug-in cartridge analyzing system is disclosed which features a plug-in module including a reusable sensor cartridge having an inlet port for receiving a sample, an outlet drain port and array of self-calibrating electrochemical sensors, a plurality of electrical interfaced terminals for interfacing with the portable analyzer unit. An integral flushing system is provided for cleaning and allowing recalibration of the sensor between sample analyses. Connection devices on the analyzer unit and plug-in multi-use test module are provided for removably attaching the module to the analyzer unit. The connection devices are configured to receive a single-use sensor cartridge interchangeably and without modification with said plug-in multi-use test module.

Abstract: A portable device that includes a plurality of test modules for analyzing preselected concentrations of various body fluids of a patient. The portable diagnostic device interfaces and utilizes disposable cartridges and reagent diagnostic test strips and other fluid sample diagnostic devices to determine the amounts of preselected parameters in a patient's blood through either electrochemical, electrical, optical, or mechanical analysis. The disposable fluid sample diagnostic devices may include sample chambers with inlet ports, electrical, physical, or chemical sensors, in situ calibration media, a plurality of electrical interface terminals, and temperature control elements. An electrical interface interconnects the various test modules with one or more corresponding integrated circuits which in turn are electrically coupled to a common interactive display, printer, power supply, and communication ports.