Abstract: An iontophoretic apparatus comprising a housing member, a current distribution member, a medicament containment member and at least one of a lateral and medial straddling member. The straddling member are configured to correspond to the surrounding soft tissue.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery device storage apparatus and a method of using that device is disclosed. The device comprises a fluid reservoir, an electrode assembly and a tray apparatus. The fluid reservoir is capable of retaining a medicament and has a sealed fluid chamber defined by at least one seal. The seal includes a weaker region and a pinch-like configuration associated with that region such that application of pressure to the fluid reservoir breaks the weaker region of the seal, releasing the retained medicament. The electrode assembly comprises an active electrode, at least two passive electrodes a medicament carrying region, and a moat region around the medicament carrying region so that once fluid is delivered from the fluid reservoir to the electrode assembly the fluid is substantially retained in the medicament carrying means.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery device storage apparatus and a method of using that device is disclosed. The device comprises a fluid reservoir, an electrode assembly and a tray apparatus. The fluid reservoir is capable of retaining a medicament and has a sealed fluid chamber defined by at least one seal. The seal includes a weaker region and a pinch-like configuration associated with that region such that application of pressure to the fluid reservoir breaks the weaker region of the seal, releasing the retained medicament. The electrode assembly comprises an active electrode, at least two passive electrodes a medicament carrying region, and a moat region around the medicament carrying region so that once fluid is delivered from the fluid reservoir to the electrode assembly the fluid is substantially retained in the medicament carrying means.

Abstract: An iontophoretic power supply comprising hardware and software. The hardware includes means for interfacing with an iontophoretic output device; microprocessor means and a computer readable medium. The software is recorded on the computer readable medium and executable by the microprocessor means. The software is capable of performing the steps of facilitating the providing of at least one operating parameter by a user and applying the provided operating parameters to an interfaced iontophoretic device.

Abstract: An iontophoretic apparatus comprising a housing member, a current distribution member, a medicament containment member and a handle member. The current distribution member is associated with the housing member. The medicament containment member is associated with the current distribution member. The handle member is associated with the housing member. The handle member facilitates the positioning and placement of the iontophoretic apparatus.

Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic device for delivering an interferon to an affected area of a living being's eye comprising an active electrode assembly associated with a matrix, wherein the matrix includes an interferon capable of treating viral, immunoregulatory, and/or neovascularization conditions. A method for treating an affected area of a living being's eye comprising the steps of: associating an interferon with an ocular iontophoretic device; positioning at least a portion of the ocular iontophoretic device on the eye of a living being; and iontophoretically delivering the interferon to an affected area of the living being's eye.

Abstract: A connection system for an iontophoretic drug delivery apparatus comprises an electrode assembly, a power source and a structure for facilitating mating engagement therebetween. The electrode assembly includes a first interface and two electrical leads and the power source includes a second interface and two electrical contacts. The interfaces are configured to facilitate mating engagement therebetween and operative secured electrical continuity between the electrical leads of the electrode assembly and the electrical contacts of the power source.

Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic device for delivering an aptamer to an affected area of a living being's eye for inhibiting VEGF function therein, the device comprising an active electrode assembly associated with a matrix and/or reservoir, wherein the matrix and/or reservoir includes an aptamer capable of inhibiting VEGF function. A method for treating an affected area of a living being's eye, comprising the steps of: associating an aptamer with an ocular iontophoretic device; positioning at least a portion of an ocular iontophoretic device on the eye of the living being; and iontophoretically delivering the aptamer to an affected area of the living being's eye.

Abstract: A high current density iontophoretic device, comprising a reservoir, an applicator, an orientation maintaining member and an iontophoretic medicament administering member. The reservoir is capable of retaining medicament. The applicator is positionable upon a surface of an eye and includes at least one punctation therethrough. The at least one punctation is capable of being placed in fluid communication with each of the reservoir and at least one treatment area of an eye upon operative positioning of same. The orientation member substantially maintains the orientation of the applicator in the desired orientation upon operative positioning of same. The iontophoretic administering member serves to administer a medicament from the reservoir to the at least one punctation and, in turn, to a specific region of an eye of a patient.

Abstract: A fluid retention assembly for use in association with an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising: a matrix, wherein the matrix is fabricated from a hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal; a first excipient associated with the matrix, wherein the first excipient comprises a substantially non-ionic thickening agent; and a second excipient associated with the matrix, wherein the second excipient comprises a hydration enhancer. A method for preparing a fluid retention assembly for use in association with an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of: providing a first excipient, wherein the first excipient comprises a substantially non-ionic thickening agent; providing a second excipient, wherein the second excipient comprises a hydration enhancer; preparing a solution of the first and second excipients in a solvent; soaking a matrix fabricated from a hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal in the prepared solution; and drying the matrix.

Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic apparatus comprising a reservoir which includes a outer rim. The outer rim includes a barrier. The barrier is positionable upon the surface of the eye and serves to provide a seal between the reservoir and the surface of the eye. In turn the passage of fluid across the barrier into and out of the reservoir is substantially precluded.

Abstract: A fluid assembly for a bioelectrode for use in a drug delivery device and a method for using such an assembly. The fluid assembly includes a reservoir for containing a fluid, and a barrier member for securing the fluid therein. The reservoir includes a breaking component positioned therewithin for breaking at least a portion of the barrier member upon application of a downward force to the reservoir. The breaking component is constructed from a material which is substantially chemically non-reactive relative to the fluid to be retained in the reservoir, the interior surface of the reservoir itself, and to at least that portion of the barrier member operatively in contact with the fluid.

Abstract: A hydratable bioelectrode for use in an iontophoretic delivery device comprising a hydrating component and a bioelectrode component. The hydrating component includes a cradle having a chamber containing one or more fluid containing ampule(s) and ampule breaking means associated with the cradle for rapidly breaking the one or more fluid containing ampule(s).

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an ionophoresis current (I) assisting administration is temporarily adjusted to a predetermined value (Im) corresponding to a point on a rectilinear portion (0A) adjoining the origin of the current/voltage characteristics of the skin of the patient, the voltage (Vskin) then present between the two electrodes applying the ionophoresis current to the skin of the patient is measured and the measured cutaneous resistance (Rcut) is obtained from the measured voltage (Vskin) and the predetermined value (Im) of the ionophoresis current.

Abstract: An iontophoretic apparatus for ocular iontophoresis comprising a housing element formed to cooperate with the eye. In cooperation with the housing element is a flexible current distribution element that is capable of transmitting electrical current. Coupled to the current distribution element is a conformable medicament containment element that is filled with a medicament which is released under the influence of an electrical current, while a barrier element is provided that is configured to reduce current flow outside of the barrier and aid in the preferential delivery of medicament.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus permitting rapid and thorough hydration of an initially dry hydratable matrix element contained within an iontophoretic bioelectrode. The apparatus of the invention comprises a bioelectrode system for iontophoretic delivery of medicaments having at least one hydratable matrix element and associated removable hydration assembly. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two hydratable matrix elements each having an associated removable hydration assembly and each being associated with an electrical current distribution element. The removable hydration assembly includes an initially sealed liquid-storage component which maintains the desired hydrating liquid in isolation from the hydratable matrix element until such time as hydration is desired.

Abstract: A device for transdermal administration of medication includes a medication reservoir, a set of electrodes made up of an electrode attached to the medication reservoir and a counter electrode, an electronic key loaded with a predetermined code, an electronic module, separably mounted on the set of electrodes, for reading and operating the device according to the predetermined code and for regulating the electric current flowing between the two electrodes and through the reservoir and skin of the patient, and a cradle for holding the electronic module.

Abstract: An electrode connector for securely holding a thin flexible electrode. The electrode connector includes a bottom jaw member and an upper jaw member that are selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The upper jaw member and the bottom jaw member are biased into a closed position. The electrode connector includes an electrical contact assembly configured to provide electrical contact with the flexible electrode. The electrical contact assembly comprises a contact platform and a contact pin attached thereto. The contact platform is configured to form an electrical contact with the contact area of the flexible electrode. The contact pin is sized and configured to be at least partially disposed in the aperture formed in the flexible electrode such that upon the upperjaw member and the lower jaw member moving to the closed position electrical contact is formed and maintained with the contact area of the flexible electrode without permanently deforming the contact area thereof.

Abstract: An improved iontophoretic bioelectrode constructed with a novel access window that conveniently allows a clinician direct access to the drug reservoir without prematurely exposing the adhesive layer. The access window is a partial cut out or perforation of a release liner that, when opened, only reveals the drug reservoir to the clinician while the remainder of the release liner simultaneously remains protectively covering the adhesive layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus permitting rapid and thorough hydration of an initially dry hydratable matrix element contained within an iontophoretic bioelectrode. The apparatus of the invention comprises a bioelectrode system for iontophoretic delivery of medicaments having at least one hydratable matrix element and associated removable hydration assembly. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two hydratable matrix elements each having an associated removable hydration assembly and each being associated with an electrical current distribution element. The removable hydration assembly includes an initially sealed liquid-storage component which maintains the desired hydrating liquid in isolation from the hydratable matrix element until such time as hydration is desired.