Abstract: An iontophoresis electrode that includes a reservoir for holding electrolytic solution, a mechanism for scavenging ions in the electrolytic solution, without releasing ions into the solution and an electrical connection in electrical communication with the reservoir.

Abstract: A trocar device, comprising a trocar cutting element, a surrounding insulating sheath, and a cannula surrounding the sheath, also includes an arrangement providing a substantially smooth transition between the sheath and cannula at the distal end of the cannula during the insertion of the trocar device into a patient so as to reduce drag on the device at the transition. In one embodiment, the sheath includes a shaped portion of enlarged diameter, and the cannula includes, at the distal end thereof, inwardly directed slits forming corresponding resilient leaf members which engage the shaped portion to provide the smooth transition. The shaped portion includes oppositely tapered surfaces meeting at a common apex. In another embodiment, an expandable section, when expanded, provides the smooth transition.

Abstract: A corneal irrigation cannula is used in tectonic lamellar keratoplasty. The cannula is hand manipulatable and allows for entry into the interface of a corneal flap or cap and a corneal bed for the delivery for irrigating fluid under low flow through a plurality of irrigating ports thereby irrigating the interface by gently elevating the overlying cap or flap and washing residual debris from the corneal bed.

Abstract: The user activated iontophoretic device of the present invention includes a disposable patch and a reusable controller. The patch contains an electrode assembly, an electrode reservoir and at least one drug reservoir. The patch is divided or otherwise separated into at least two portions, with one portion containing the electrode reservoir and the other containing the drug reservoir, which may include a medication in a dry form. The electrode reservoir and the drug reservoir are sealingly separated by a barrier, which can be manipulated to bring the reservoirs into fluid conducting contact with one another. A method of activating the device includes causing the two portions to rotate about a central axis relative to one another to manipulate the barrier and bring the reservoirs into fluid conducting contact with one another to at least partially hydrate one of the reservoirs. In this way, the device is suitable for use to deliver a drug which has limited stability in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery system of the present invention includes a multiple-pod housing, a controller, a power source and an electrode assembly in electrical contact with at least two reservoirs, with at least one of the reservoirs containing an active formulation to be delivered to an applied area of a patient. In the preferred embodiment, the housing includes three pods to more easily conform to the contours of the body, with two pods each including reservoirs and the electrode assembly, and the other pod including the controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the utilization of the active mass of printed ink electrodes by adding a surface active agent to at least one of the following the printed ink formulation, the gel formulation, the electrolyte reservoir or the medicament formulation.

Abstract: An intravesical method of treating dysfunctional bladder syndromes by Electromotive Drug Administration (EMDA) of local anaesthetic drugs, anti muscarinic drugs and sympathomimetic agents. The administration of said drugs combined with hydraulic bladder dilatation causes relaxation of the detrusor muscle, reversing the hypertonicity associated with dysfunctional bladder syndromes.

Abstract: An electrode system for administration of a pharmaceutical by iontophoresis which is comprised of an electroconductive substrate and a functional polymer having ammonium hydroxide or a quaternary ammonium halogen salt, sulfonic group, carboxylic group, amine group.

Abstract: A surgical dissector and method for facilitating fiberoptic viewing when developing a minimally invasive accessway to a surgical objective in the interior of the body. The dissector or guide is used to dissect tissues along an anatomic plane under direct fiberoptic vision. A balloon is provided to further dissect and retract tissue along the dissected accessway to provide an adequate depth of field for fiberoptic viewing through transparent walls of the balloon. The dissection allows a surgeon safely to make additional incisions into the region of the fiberoptic viewing space and to perform surgical procedures under fiberoptic vision by manipulating an accessory instrument on the exterior surface of the inflated balloon that is disposed within the dissected space.

Abstract: A transdermal drug applicator (100) for application to a living body for the delivery of at least one drug through the skin (144) into the bloodstream comprising an applicator (100) including at least one drug reservoir (182A,182B) containing the drug for delivering same through the skin (144) by physico/chemical mass transfer. A mounting structure (138, 140) is removably mounted to the body for holding the applicator (100) to the skin (144), with the applicator (100) removably connected to the mounting structure (138,140). A power supply (166) for the applicator (100) and a circuit transmitting electrical power from the power supply (166) to the applicator (100) is disclosed, wherein an electric circuit is created between the applicator (100) and the skin (144).

Abstract: An iontophoretic material is provided that uses controlled electrical current derived from two dissimilar galvanic materials to drive oligodynamic metal ions into solution to kill microorganisms on and near the material. Iontophoretic structures or material associated with a medical device are partially or completely covered with one or more covering layers that alter physical, mechanical, chemical, or biological properties of the device and/or the iontophoretic material. In addition to being partially coated or completely enveloped by iontophoretic material or structures, all or a portion of a medical device can be integrated with, impregnated by, or fabricated from an iontophoretic material.

Abstract: A user activated iontophoretic device of the present invention includes an electrode assembly, an electrode reservoir and at least one drug reservoir. The device is divided or otherwise separated into at least two portions, with one portion containing the electrode reservoir and the other containing the drug reservoir, which may include a medication in a dry form. The electrode reservoir and the drug reservoir are sealingly separated by a barrier, which can be removed to bring the reservoirs into fluid conducting contact with one another. A method of activating the device includes causing the two portions to come into fluid conducting contact with one another to at least partially hydrate one of the reservoirs. This can be accomplished by removing the barrier dividing the two portions. In this way, the device is suitable for use to deliver a drug which has limited stability in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for the iontophoretic delivery of a therapeutic dose range of bisphosphonate to be delivered to a patient over a period of lime to prevent the onset for advancement of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases for a selected period of time.

Abstract: A guide wire having a distal extremity with an adjustable support characteristic comprising a core wire having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity has a reduced cross sectional area which is more flexible than the proximal extremity. A tip secured to the distal extremity of the core wire. A sleeve of superelastic material is disposed coaxially on the distal extremity of the core wire. The sleeve is annealed so that it is relatively flexible at a temperature ranging from 20.degree. to 40.degree. C. and becomes progressively stiffer as temperature increases. The core wire conducts electrical energy to the superelastic sleeve to supply heat to the sleeve and extends from the proximal extremity of the core wire to the sleeve to cause the sleeve to become stiffer to thereby increase the stiffness of the distal extremity of the guide wire.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of a thrombotic occlusion in a vessel of a patient comprising a flexible elongate tubular sheath having proximal and distal extremities. A relatively large lumen defined by a thin flexible wall extends from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity of the tubular sheath so that the distal extremity is open. An occlusion disruption device is slidably and rotatably disposed in the lumen in the tubular sheath and includes a flexible elongate torsionally rigid shaft having a length greater than the length of the tubular sheath and having proximal and distal extremities. The shaft has a guide wire lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. Disruption elements are secured to the distal extremity of the shaft which when rotated disrupt the thrombotic occlusion by causing it to break into pieces. Suction is applied to the lumen in the tubular sheath to aspirate pieces into the large lumen of the tubular sheath to remove them from the vessel of the patient.

Abstract: An iontophoretic system includes a medicament containing disposable patch removably attached to a patient's skin in combination with a controller mechanism. The patch includes an anode and a cathode, and holds an electrolyte and a medicament. The controller includes a controller circuit which is coupled to the cathode and is adjustable to provide a desired current flow through the electrodes to drive the medicament to the skin of the patient. The controller preferably includes a variety of functions to ensure safe and proper delivery of the medicament. The controller circuit is preferably an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) so as to provide a compact controller having increased reliability and reduced power consumption.

Abstract: A portable iontophoresis apparatus for facilitating delivery of medication across the cutaneous membrane into adjacent underlying tissues and blood vessels. The apparatus employs a modular, detachable non-reusable medicament-containing applicator electrode which is adapted to attach to a base assembly. The apparatus is designed to be hand-held and includes a circumferential tactile electrode band on the base assembly which provides electrical connection between the skin of the user's hand and one pole of a bipolar power source housed within the base assembly. The opposing pole of the power source is connected to the applicator electrode. The user's body completes the electrical circuit between the applicator and tactile electrodes. A method for using the device for the treatment of Herpes simplex infection and related viral infections which produce similar cutaneous lesions is presented.