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.

Abstract: A device, preferably a micro-device, is molded from a plastic material by injection molding, compression molding or embossing. A microabrader can be molded having microneedles for abrading the stratum corneum of the skin to form an abraded site in the tissue for enhancing drug delivery. The micro-device is molded using a mold assembly having a silicon molding surface. The silicon molding surface can include a recess corresponding to the desired shape and length of the microneedles. The silicon molding surface enables micron and submicron size features to be molded from polymeric materials without the polymeric material adhering to the mold surface. Micro-devices having molded features having micron and submicron dimensions can be rapidly produced without the use of a release agent.

Abstract: A device for delivering a liquid therapeutic preparation into the body of a patient by injection into or through the skin of the patient comprises a low-profile housing having a bottom surface adapted to be brought into contact with the skin of the patient. A reservoir is disposed within the housing for containing a liquid therapeutic preparation to be administered. An injection needle is disposed generally horizontally in the housing, and is adapted to communicate with the reservoir. The injection needle has a bent injection end which is adapted to project through a needle aperture in the bottom surface of the housing. A movable needle carrier is disposed in the housing for carrying the injection needle and for causing the injection end of the needle to project through the needle aperture upon movement of the needle carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods and devices for iontophoretically administering therapeutic doses of cell adhesion receptor antagonists in a controlled manner through the skin. Such antagonist compounds include but are not limited to antagonists of the IIb/IIIa and .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 integrins and related cell surface adhesive protein receptors. The present invention includes iontophoretic delivery devices comprising cell adhesion receptor antagonists. Such methods and devices are useful, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders, angiogenic disorders, inflammation, bone degradation, cancer metastasis, diabetic retinopathy, restenosis, macular degeneration, and other conditions mediated by cell adhesion and/or cell migration and/or angiogenesis.

Abstract: A device for delivering a liquid theraputic preparation into the body of a patient by injection into or through the skin of the patient comprises a low-profile housing having a bottom surface adapted to be brought into contact with the skin of the patient. A reservoir is disposed within the housing for containing a liquid theraputic preparation to be administered. An injection needle is disposed generally horizontally in the housing, and is adapted to communicate with the reservoir. The injection needle has a bent injection end which is adapted to project through a needle aperture in the bottom surface of the housing. A movable needle carrier is disposed in the housing for carrying the injection needle and for causing the injection end of the needle to project through the needle aperture upon movement of the needle carrier.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery device of the present invention includes a power source and an electrode assembly containing at least two electrodes, in electrical contact with a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The present invention also includes at least three electrodes in a three electrode embodiment, with the third electrode in electrical contact with a third reservoir. In either embodiment, the first reservoir and the second reservoir contain an active agent to be delivered to an applied area of a patient. The present invention also includes in its two electrode embodiment a switch for reversing the flow of current or in its three electrode embodiment a switch for switching the flow of current, so as to reduce sensation. The devices also include a timer for controlling the amount of time the electrical current flows in each direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods and devices for iontophoretically administering therapeutic doses of cell adhesion receptor antagonists in a controlled manner through the skin. Such antagonist compounds include but are not limited to antagonists of the IIb/IIIa and .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 inter and related cell surface adhesive protein receptors. The present invention includes iontophoretic delivery devices comprising cell adhesion receptor antagonists. Such methods and devices are useful, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders, angiogenic disorders, inflammation, bone degradation, cancer metastasis, diabetic retinopathy, restenosis, macular degeneration, and other conditions mediated by cell adhesion and/or cell migration and/or angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing proteins or peptides for iontophoretic delivery by modifying said proteins or peptides, by hydrophobic bonding of acharged molecule to a hydrophobic region of the protein or peptide, to have an isoelectric point of less than about 4.0 or greater than about 7.3 with an electrostatic charge of at least plus or minus 1 over the pH range of about 4.0 to about 7.3. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for delivery of a protein or peptide having an isoelectric point of less than about 4.0 or greater than about 7.3 with an electrostatic charge of at least plus or minus 1 over the pH range of about 4.0 to about 7.3.

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 method for preventing the onset or advancement of osteoporosis or other metabolic bone disorders in a patient by iontophoretically administering to the patient an effective amount of a bisphosphonate which would be effective for preventing the onset or advancement of osteoporosis or other bone disorders and wherein the effective amount of bisphosphonate is delivered over a period of from about four (4) hours to about forty-eight (48) hours, at intervals of from about once a week to about twice a year and wherein the effective amount of bisphosphonate also contains an agent capable of chelating calcium.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery device of the present invention includes a power source and an electrode assembly in electrical contact with at least three reservoirs, with at least two of the reservoirs containing an active formulation to be delivered to an applied area of a patient, with a switch for switching the flow of current from between the first electrode and the third electrode and between the second electrode and the first electrode so as to reduce sensation. The device also includes a timer for controlling the amount of time the electrical current flows between a pair of electrodes. In the preferred embodiment, the active formulation includes a local anesthetic such as Lidocaine and a vasoconstrictor such as Epinephrine. In this way, the device is suitable for use to deliver the local anesthetic to the applied area approximate the first reservoir for a first period of time and to deliver the local anesthetic to the applied area approximate the second reservoir during a second period of time.

Abstract: The invention discloses peptides and proteins for iontophoretic delivery. Specifically disclosed are methods for iontophoretic delivery of assemblages of amino acids which comprises modifying said assemblages of amino acids to an isoelectric point less than about 4.0 or greater than about 7.3 with an electrostatic charge of plus or minus 1 and patches with assemblages of amino acids with isoelectric points less than about 4.0 or greater than about 7.3 with an electrostatic charge of plus or minus 1.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and compositions for enhanced skin concentration of iontophoretic delivered active agents. The compositions are pharmaceutically acceptable compositions for iontophoretic delivery which comprise a skin concentration enhancing amount of a vasoconstrictor and active agent. Methods comprise adding a skin concentration enhancing amount of a vasoconstrictor to an active agent and delivering by iontophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an iontophoretic drug delivery device having electrode renewing features includes a housing having a first electrode, a second electrode, a circuit for providing electrical communication between the first and second electrodes. The circuit is capable of engaging a source of current. Control means is provided for effecting the amount of current passing between the electrodes. A removable electrolyte reservoir is capable of holding electrolyte and removably engaging the housing so that one of the electrodes can contact electrolyte contained within the reservoir. A removable active agent reservoir is capable of holding an active agent for iontophoretic delivery. The active agent reservoir is capable of removably engaging the housing so that the active agent contacts one of the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and compositions for enhanced iontophoretic delivery of active agents. The compositions are pharmaceutically acceptable compositions for iontophoretic delivery comprising a delivery enhancing amount of a vasodilator and active agent. Methods comprise adding a delivery enhancing amount of a vasodilator to an active agent and delivering by iontophoresis.

Abstract: An iontophoretic electrode has a plurality of ion transmitters for establishing electric field lines in an area and a plurality of receivers for accepting ions flowing along the field lines. A plurality of shields are located to resist ion flow between adjacent transmitters and receivers. The transmitters, shields and receivers are in at least a sequence of transmitter, shield, receiver, shield. The electric field lines emanate substantially in one direction and return in substantially the opposite direction. The transmitters and receivers have matrix structures with space to contain ionic medication and electrolyte, respectively. A support for holding a plurality of sequences has current carrying contacts exposed to connect the transmitters and receivers in circuit with a source of electrical power. The preferred method includes establishing an electric field with lines of energy between a plurality of first and second conductors of ions and then passing ions along the energy lines between the conductors.

Abstract: A biphasic power source for use in an iontophoretic system, which system includes a transdermal drug delivery device attachable to a patient and having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, includes a constant current source and a voltage limiting circuit. The constant current source has two outputs and provides a constant current on the outputs. The outputs are connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the transdermal drug delivery device. The voltage limiting circuit is connected in parallel with the outputs of the constant current source to limit the voltage across the electrodes to a predetermined voltage. The voltage limiting circuit may be a zener diode.

Abstract: An iontophoresis drug delivery system includes a device which is attachable to the skin of an animal and having a drug reservoir, an electrolyte reservoir, and electrodes electrically communicating with the reservoirs and with the skin of the animal. An electronic circuit for controlling the rate or amount of current or voltage applied to the electrodes of the device includes a constant voltage and current generator, and a switching circuit for switching between applying either a constant current to the electrodes or a constant voltage. Current and voltage sensors are attached to the electrodes and provide feedback signals which are compared with predetermined threshold signals to control through feedback the amount of constant voltage and constant current applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A device for electrically assisted transport of molecules into the skin has a renewable power source and a means for electrically assisted transport of molecules in solution through the skin of an animal. The device has an anode and a battery electrolyte in fluid communication in a disposable part of the means for electrically assisted transport of molecules in solution. The device has an air cathode on a reusable part of the means for electrically assisted transport so that when the reusable and disposable parts join, the battery electrolyte and the air cathode are in fluid communication. The power source is thereby renewed and electrically connected to the means for electrically assisted transport. A method for renewing and replenishing a power source for the device for electrically assisted transport of molecules in solution provides means for electrically assisted transport having a reusable part and a disposable part.

Abstract: An iontophorectic electrode has a plurality of ion transmitters for establishing electric field lines in an area and a plurality of receivers for accepting ions flowing along the field lines. A plurality of shields are located to resist ion flow between adjacent transmitters and receivers. The transmitters, shields and receivers are in at least a sequence of transmitter, shield, receiver, shield. The electric field lines emanate substantially in one direction and return in substantially the opposite direction. The transmitters and receivers have matrix structures with space to contain ionic medication and electrolyte, respectively. A support for holding a plurality of sequences has current carrying contacts exposed to connect the transmitters and receivers in circuit with a source of electrical power. The preferred method includes establishing an electric field with lines of energy between a plurality of first and second conductors of ions and then passing ions along the energy lines between the conductors.