Abstract: A percutaneous agent sampling device and method are provided. The device comprises a collector and a sheet having a plurality of microblades for piercing the skin for increasing transdermal flux of an agent.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method that maintains a constant drug delivery rate for an electrotransport delivery system, while the apparent transport efficiency of the system varies, by making adjustments to the output current of the system. More specifically, the constant drug delivery rate is maintained by the regulator of the electrotransport delivery system automatically adjusting the output current to compensate for the varying apparent transport efficiency.

Abstract: Transdermal compositions, devices, and methods for the administration of a drug at reduced skin irritation levels are disclosed. More particularly, this invention relates to novel methods, compositions, and devices for the reduction or elimination of irritation or sensitization caused by an irritating or sensitizing drug when it is delivered transdermally. According to a preferred embodiment, transdermal administration of a drug salt of a non-zwitterionic drug is disclosed wherein the drug salt comprises a combination of surface activity and a low octanol-water partition coefficient. Such drug salts have been found to reduce irritation or sensitization to the drug being delivered while achieving therapeutically effective transdermal fluxes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an electrotransport device for transdermally or transmucosally delivering a beneficial agent (e.g., a drug) to the body surface of a patient or for transdermally or transmucosally sampling a body analyte. Most particularly, the present invention relates to a configured and electrochemically reactive electrode assembly having improved start-up electrical performance and improved lag time to compliant agent delivery.

Abstract: A transdermal electrotransport drug delivery device having an anode, a cathode and a source of electrical power electrically connected to the anode and the cathode. The cathode includes a cathodic electrode and a cathodic reservoir comprised of a housing composed of a polymeric material and an aqueous medium in contact with the housing. The aqueous medium includes i) a drug or an electrolyte salt or a mixture thereof and ii) a cetylpyridinium salt in an amount sufficient to inhibit microbial growth in the aqueous medium. The polymeric material is compatible with the cetylpyridinium salt. A process is also provided wherein when electric current flows from the source of electrical power so that the drug is transdermally delivered to the patient by electrotransport from the anodic reservoir, the cetylpyridinium salt is not transdermally delivered to the patient by electrotransport from the cathodic reservoir. A process for preparing a transdermal electrotransport drug delivery device is also provided.

Abstract: An electrotransport system (20) for delivery of a drug through the skin (63) of a patient includes a tactile signal generator (36) for generating and transmitting a tactile signal to the skin of a patient upon the occurrence of an event associated with the operation of the system. The tactile signal may be an electric AC signaling current (Sr, Sp) applied through the skin, ie, an electric current different from the therapeutic electrotransport drive current. The electric signaling current is preferably a pulsed current of sufficient frequency and amplitude to allow the patient to feel it. The tactile signal may alternatively be generated by an electromechanical device in contact with the skin such as a piezoelectric vibrating element or magnetodynamic element such as a solenoid driven pin. The waveform of the tactile signaling current preferably has a zero average current component such that no net therapeutic drug is delivered by the tactile signal current.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacturing transdermal drug delivery devices and devices made therefrom. The invention provides a heat equilibration process for the manufacture of drug delivery devices which eliminates the need to preload the body contacting layer with a drug. The method has particular application in the manufacture of transdermal drug delivery devices including a drug reservoir comprising drug in excess of saturation.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved electrotransport device. The improvement relates to a membrane assembly including a low porosity membrane adhered or sealed to one or two high porosity membranes. The high porosity membranes protect the low porosity membrane from being damaged by components or contaminates on the body surface and/or in the drug reservoir which can lead to undesirable passive flux and/or insufficient iontophoretic flux. As a result, the electrotransport device having the membrane assembly more reliably, precisely, and accurately delivers drug and/or therapeutic agent through the body surface by electrotransport.

Abstract: Preferential delivery via electrotransport of a preferred isomeric form of a pharmaceutically active chiral compound from a mixture of the isomeric forms of said compound is provided. A method of decreasing the delivery via electrotransport of a less preferred isomer of a drug is also provided. Drug delivery devices suitable for such preferential delivery and methods of making the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two stage resistance system which causes resistance to a moving surface to be exerted in two separate phases. More particularly, the two stage resistance system may be adapted to exercise equipment for the purpose of providing a wide range of resistance forces that must be overcome by the user. This provides the user with a more useful and adaptable means of configuring an exercise routine.

Abstract: An electrotransport delivery device (410) includes control circuitry for discontinuously delivering a beneficial agent (eg, a drug) through a body surface (eg, skin 400). For example, the device may be the type which is manually activated by the patient or other medical personnel to activate electrotransport drug delivery. Once electrotransport delivery has been activated, a timer (221) counts a transition interval, typically about one minute, during which the device is allowed to operate and the impedance of the body surface (400) is allowed to stabilize. Thereafter, the electrotransport current and voltage are then monitored and compared to predetermined limits. Allowing for the transition interval permits tighter tolerances in monitoring the applied current.

Abstract: A two-part electrotransport drug delivery device (20) is comprised of a controller (22) which has a plurality of different electronic outputs. The controller (22) is adapted to be mechanically and electrically coupled to a plurality of different drug-containing units (24). Each drug unit (24) includes a means (40, 42, Rx, Cx) for signaling the controller (22). The signal is read by the controller (22) and a predetermined electronic output is thereby selected and applied through the drug unit (24) in order to deliver the drug contained therein by electrotransport. The signal sent by the drug unit (24) to the controller (22) may be an optical signal (e.g., reflected light), a signal sent by an electro-mechanical connector, an electrical signal (e.g., resistance or capacitance), a magnetic signal or a metal detector sensing signal.

Abstract: An electrotransport composition comprises at least one C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 lower alcohol, unsaturated derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof, and at least one C.sub.8 -C.sub.4 higher alcohol, unsaturated derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof. An electrotransport device and a method of increasing transdermal electrotransport flux utilize the composition of the invention for delivering pharmaceutically-acceptable agents across a body surface such as skin.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing drug formulations suitable for electrotransport drug delivery. The drug to be delivered, present in salt form, is contacted with an ion exchange material prior to incorporation into the reservoir (26) of an electrotransport delivery system (10). In this way, the drug salt is partially or completely neutralized. This technique is useful for adjusting the pH of the drug formulation without incorporating extraneous materials, e.g., competing ions or the like, into the reservoir (26).

Abstract: An electrotransport apparatus using dispersed ion exchange material (19,83) is disclosed. The ion exchange material (19,83) may be dispersed in either the donor electrode assembly (10), the counter electrode assembly (10) or both electrode assemblies. The dispersed ion exchange material (83) comprises mobile ionic species (84-2) and substantially immobile ionic species (P). The dispersed ion exchange material (83, 84-2) interacts with competitive species (86) generated during electrotransport to render those species substantially immobile (87). Electrotransport devices exhibiting reduced polarization are also disclosed.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical hydrogel formulations containing polyvinyl alcohol are provided. The formulations may serve as rug reservoirs in electrotransport drug delivery systems or passive transdermal systems, or they may be used in a variety of other types of dosage forms, e.g., capsules, suppositories, aerosols, and the like. With these formulations, there is virtually no syneresis encountered upon long term storage, an advantage that derives from selecting the quantity of polyvinyl alcohol in the gel to correspond to the polymer's degree of hydrolysis.

Abstract: An electrotransport device (10) for delivering therapeutic agents includes an adjustable voltage boost multiple controller (100, 200) for boosting the voltage from a power source (102, 202) to a working voltage V.sub.w having a value just sufficient to provide the desired therapeutic current level I.sub.I through the electrodes (108, 112), at least one of which contains the therapeutic agent to be delivered.

Abstract: This facing surround assembly is provided which can be installed without fabrication in the field by a single person with average hand tool skills. The facing surround is generally made of non-combustible material and is generally used in conjunction with a fireplace or other wood/gas burning appliance. The invention consists of two corner members, one or more horizontal headers, zero or more corner miters, and two vertical support members positioned. Any particular configuration of the facing can accommodate range of openings.

Abstract: A selectively permeable membrane (14) is positioned between the agent reservoir (15) and the electrode (11) of a donor electrode assembly (8) in an iontophoretic delivery device (10). Optionally, an electrolyte reservoir (13) is positioned intermediate the electrode (11) and the agent reservoir (15). In certain embodiments, the membrane (14) is permeable to species of less than a predetermined molecular weight and substantially less permeable to species of greater than the predetermined molecular weight. The agent is capable of dissociating into agent ions and counter ions.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for reducing or preventing skin sensitization in electrotransport drug delivery. The method involves co-administration of a countersensitizing agent, comprising cis-urocanic acid or an analog thereof, with the drug delivered via electrotransport. Novel drug reservoirs and electrotransport drug delivery systems, formulated with a countersensitizing agent as described herein, are provided as well.