Abstract: A shelf-stable electrically assisted transdermal drug delivery system for highly effective electrotransport of an anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor producing clinically acceptable dermal anesthesia and sensation is provided. In certain embodiments the anesthetic includes lidocaine and the vasoconstrictor includes epinephrine. Medicament delivery is affected to provide dermal anesthesia with little or no sensation during delivery, as measured by a variety of indicator tests. Methods of producing dermal anesthesia in patients are also provided.

Abstract: An electrically assisted transdermal drug delivery system for highly effective electrotransport of an anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor producing clinically acceptable depth and duration of dermal anesthesia at a treatment site. In certain embodiments, the anesthetic comprises lidocaine and the vasoconstrictor comprises epinephrine.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments of integrated electrode devices, assemblies and systems structured for use in association with electrically assisted delivery devices configured for delivery of a composition, such as a composition comprising gonadotropin-releasing hormone and/or related analogs through a membrane. The integrated electrode devices, assemblies and systems include one or more of a variety of structural, physical, mechanical, electrical and electromechanical enhancements. Methods of administering compositions to patients with integrated electrode devices according to various embodiments described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shelf-stable electrically assisted transdermal drug delivery system for highly effective electrotransport of an anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor producing clinically acceptable dermal anesthesia and sensation is provided. In certain embodiments the anesthetic includes lidocaine and the vasoconstrictor includes epinephrine. Medicament delivery is affected to provide dermal anesthesia with little or no sensation during delivery, as measured by a variety of indicator tests. Methods of producing dermal anesthesia in patients are also provided.

Abstract: The use of an iontophoresis electrode assembly for delivery of a drug formulation is described. The drug formulation includes an anaesthetic and a vasoconstrictor. It is administered to a patient prior to a procedure to produce clinically acceptable depth and duration of dermal anaesthesia at the portion of skin to subject to a painful procedure or to reduce or eliminate pain. The procedure is one selected from the group consisting of venipuncture, IV cannulation, needle aspirations, body piercings, blood donations, electrolysis, tattoo removal, tattoo application, injections, dermabrasion, skin peeling, high velocity particle ablation, pace maker implantation, pace maker replacement, epidural puncture, lumbar puncture, regional nerve blocks, skin harvesting, small skin incisions, skin biopsies, circumcisions or excisions. The iontophoresis electrode assembly may also be used to reduce or temporarily eliminate neuropathic pain.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: Iontophoretic devices for the delivery of N-phenyl-N-(4-piperidinyl)amide esters are provided. The N-phenyl-N-(4-piperidinyl)amide esters are compounds of the 1.

Abstract: Circuits are provided for increasing the reliability of an iontophoretic drug delivery system. Such circuits detect the failure of a crystal oscillator of the system, the failure of a voltage reference of the system, or the impending failure of a battery power source of the system.

Abstract: Provided is a method for loading electrode-corroding ingredients into an un-loaded donor gel reservoir of an electrode for an electrically assisted drug delivery system. The method provides that a salt, such as sodium chloride or an organic salt, is provided in the un-loaded donor gel reservoir, contrary to convention. Related electrically assisted drug delivery electrode assemblies also are provided.

Abstract: A reservoir-electrode for an iontophoretic delivery device of the present invention includes an electrode; and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a substantially uniform concentration of an alkali metal chloride salt therein thereby substantially eliminating concentration gradients of the salt with respect to the electrode. The polymeric material has a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesive to an applied area of a patient's skin.

Abstract: The present invention claims an apparatus for transdermal delivery of medicaments, with novel electrode systems, which avoids burns caused by changes in pH or excessive current applied at the sight of delivery, which is low in cost and easy to manufacture. In the present invention, preferably, the anode of the electrode system is predominantly formed from a low-cost bulk base metal which includes a coating of a precious metal thereon. The cathode of the electrode system is preferably formed from an chemically inert material which is a poor electron condutor and is coated on a good electron conductive material which has poor chemical stability. The electrode system of the present invention is highly efficient, easy to manufacture and cost-effective.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: An iontophoresis system includes a transdermal patch for placement against the skin of a patient and a controller electrically connected to the patch. The patch includes an anode and cathode electrode, and holds an electrolyte and a medication. The controller includes a DC-DC converter circuit which generates an output voltage that is provided to the anode electrode. The controller also includes an adjustable current regulator circuit. The current regulator circuit is coupled to the cathode electrode and is adjustable to provide a desired current flow through the electrodes and the skin of the patient. The DC-DC converter circuit is responsive to the voltage drop across the electrodes and adjusts its output voltage in response to this voltage drop and changes in the impedance of the patient's skin.

Abstract: An iontophoresis system includes a transdermal patch for placement against the skin of a patient and a controller electrically connected to the patch. The patch includes an anode and cathode electrode, and holds an electrolyte and a medication. The controller includes a DC-DC converter circuit which generates an output voltage that is provided to the anode electrode. The controller also includes an adjustable current regulator circuit. The current regulator circuit is coupled to the cathode electrode and is adjustable to provide a desired current flow through the electrodes and the skin of the patient. The DC-DC converter circuit is responsive to the voltage drop across the electrodes and adjusts its output voltage in response to this voltage drop and changes in the impedance of the patient's skin.

Abstract: A method for testing the ability of an iontophoretic reservoir-electrode to deliver a medicament includes providing an iontophoretic reservoir-electrode with a contact surface having a shape, a suitable electrical connection and a hydrated bibulous reservoir containing an ionized medicament. The method further includes providing another electrode operating a at preselected polarity opposite to the preselected polarity of the medicament reservoir-electrode. The method further includes providing a separation medium having the property of allowing passage therein to of ions of one charge. The separation medium is positioned between the reservoir electrode with the ionized medicament and the another electrode.

Abstract: Circuits are provided for increasing the reliability of an iontophoretic drug delivery system. Such circuits detect the failure of a crystal oscillator of the system, the failure of a voltage reference of the system, or the impending failure of a battery power source of the system.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery device includes a controller normally being in an off or low power consumption state, and a patch including electrodes, a reservoir for holding an ionizable drug for transdermal delivery to a patient and a return reservoir. The patch is removable and electrically connectable to the controller, and delivers the drug to patient when the patch is on the patient's skin and when the controller is switched from the off or low power consumption state to an operational state. This occurs when the patch is connected to the controller and a connector connects a power source to the controller or an activation means signals the controller to switch to the operational state. This feature preserves the battery of the controller.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive method and apparatus for pre selecting the drug delivery profile of a drug by controlling the concentration of ions added to or present in the reservoir containing the drug to be delivered, which ions would compete with the drug ions for the current.