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 electrical transdermal drug applicator provides enhanced drug flow to the bloodstream of the subject by delivering a primary drug into a subject's circulatory system for therapeutic purposes, and delivering from the same or other reservoir a non-therapeutic counteracting agent to the skin of the patient which induces flow enhancement and allows delivery of the primary drug systemically over a longer period of time and in greater quantity than heretofore appeared possible using electric current.

Abstract: An improved transdermal drug applicator for application to a living body for the migration of at least one medicament through the skin into the blood stream embodying at least two electrode elements forming the applicator and with the electrodes separated from each other by insulating means. A reservoir means, in at least one of said electrode elements of said applicator, containing said medicament; and a circuit, including a power source, for supplying electric power to said electrodes and such reservoir means. Suitable cover means partially enclosed at least said reservoir means, and adhesive means affixes the applicator to the skin, so as to complete an electrical circuit through the skin when the applicator is affixed thereto, thus creating at least one physico/chemical mass transfer phenomenon which causes said medicament to migrate through the skin.

Abstract: The invention comprises in combination:(a) a polypeptide having from about three to about 20 peptide units in aqueous solution or suspension, and(b) an electrolytic device for transdermal transport of the polypeptide to the bloodstream of the patient.It may be useful to enhance the transdermal delivery of the polypeptide by adding an aqueous cosolute/cosolvent with negative Setschenow constants.The electrolytic device preferably comprises a hydrophilic reservoir containing a supply of the aqueous polypeptide solution or suspension, an electric battery, two extended contacts, and optionally a semipermeable membrane between the reservoir and the patient's skin.Representative polypeptides include oxytocin, angiotensin I, II, and III, substance P, vasopressin, lypressin, desmopressin, leuprolide acetate, antripeptin, and the like.

Abstract: An electrophoretic/electro-osmotic transdermal drug delivery system for passing at least one drug, or thereapeutic compound, through the skin membrane of a patient by way of a drug reservoir or gel for delivery to the systemic blood of a patient in selected, periodic pulsations. The system can be varied to accommodate various types of therapeutic compounds having varied characteristics and purposes. The system includes a current oscillator that applies periodic electrical variations to the system in order to trigger rhythmical variations of the potential and resistance of the skin membrane so as to cause oscillatory electro-osmotic streaming of the liquid with the therapeutic compound across the skin membrane in synchronization with the oscillator to the systemic blood of the patient in response to the rhythmical variations.

Abstract: A chemical composition for electrolytic transdermal transport of a protein to the blood stream of the patient comprises:(a) a protein,(b) a cosolvent with negative Setschenow constants, and(c) water.Some of the preferred proteins are: insulin, protamine sulfate, calcitonin, glucagon, and corticotropin. Some of the preferred dissociating agents with negative Setschenow constants are: urea, propylurea, potassium iodide, sodium perchlorate, and guanidine hydrochloride.The electrolytic device containing the composition to be transdermally delivered comprises:two electrode elements separated by barrier means,a reservoir containing the composition of the invention,an electronic/electrolytic circuit including a source of a power,a cover, andadhesive means holding the device to the patient's skin.A semipermeable membrane between the patient's skin and the electrolytic device is optional.

Abstract: A transdermal drug patch for delivering at least one drug to a patient through the skin comprises:(a) at least two electrodes forming the patch and separated from each other by an insulator;(b) a circuit including an electrical power source for supplying power to and electrically connected to the electrodes at a conductive element; and(c) drug reservoir means in the form of a plurality of microtubes separated from and insulated from each other extending from a conductive element at one end to the surface of the patch interfacing with the patient at the other end of the microtube.

Abstract: A transdermal drug patch for delivering at least one drug to a patient through the skin comprises:(a) At least two electrode constructions separated from each other;(b) Drug reservoir means in at least one of the electrode constructions;(c) An electrical circuit including a power source, electrodes constructions with conductive elements, and reservoir means connected together;(d) Optional cover means; and(e) Adhesive means for affixing the patch to the patient's skin, augmented by a plurality of isolated spots of high tack gel, either in arrays or random positions, whereby the patch is more easily removed and replaced than if the adhesive means were homogeneous.

Abstract: A commercial electrokinetic separation system extracts charged particles from fluids and separates the particles into discrete separation bands. An electrokinetic column of extended length has a plurality of alternatingly spaced layers of electrokinetic material and electrodes along its length. A traveling wave electrical field is established by applying an electrical potential between two adjacent or nearly adjacent electrodes at one end of the column and by moving the connections progressively to electrodes further along the column, working toward the other end. A fluid containing particles for separation is introduced in a chamber at said one end of the column where the traveling wave is initiated and particles having a phoretic speed equal or greater than the velocity of the traveling wave move from one end to the other end of the column, leaving behind all particles which have lesser phoretic speeds. The electrical source can be either AC or DC.

Abstract: Applicators for the electrophoretic and/or electro-osmostic dispensing of a medicament across the skin and into the bloodstream of a patient. Each applicator includes two electrodes in electrical contact with the skin with at least one of the electrodes being a drug reservoir, at least one battery, a flexible, non-conductive substrate having an electrically conductive coating extending to electrical contact with each electrode and to the terminals of the battery, the substrate being folded into at least two layers, a cover adhesively secured to the applicator, and a release liner covering and protecting the drug reservoir or reservoirs until use.

Abstract: The invention comprises in combination:(a) a polypeptide having from about three to about 20 peptide units in aqueous solution or suspension, and(b) an electrolytic device for transdermal transport of the polypeptide to the bloodstrem of the patient.It may be useful to enhance the transdermal delivery of the polypeptide by adding an aqueous cosolute/cosolvent with negative Setschenow constants.The electrolytic device preferably comprises a hydrophilic reservoir containing a supply of the aqueous polypeptide solution or suspension, an electric battery, two extended contacts, and optionally a semipermeable membrane between the reservoir and the patient's skin.Representative polypeptides include oxytocin, angiotensin I, II, and III, substance P, vasopressin, lypressin, desmopressin, leuprolide acetate, antripeptin, and the like.

Abstract: A transdermal drug applicator for application to the skin or membrane of a patient and which is electrically powered. The applicator includes a flexible, non-conductive substrate having a plurality of conductive coated areas. The conductive coated areas include drug reservoir electrodes. The flexible substrate and the conductive coated areas form a single, substantially flat, flexible member. A plurality of separate drug reservoirs are in electrical contact with the drug reservoir electrodes. At least one battery is connected in series with the drug reservoir electrodes. The flexible substrate has opposed flat surfaces, the electrically conductive coated areas being electrically conductive coated areas on the flat surrfaces. Electrical connection between the conductive coated areas in the vicinity of each reservoir is provided by electrically conductive material extending into a single hole, small holes, or slots which extend between the opposed surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: Applicators for the electrophoretic and/or electroosmotic deposition of a medicament across the skin and into the blood stream. The applicator includes a plurality of drug reservoir electrodes, a battery, a plurality of folded members each having an electrically conductive coating on a flexible, non-conductive substrate in electrical contact with the battery and the drug reservoir electrodes, electrical current conditioning means, and a cover adhesively secured to the applicator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for controlling the rate of electrokinetic delivery of a drug or drugs through the skin (42) or mucous membrane of a human or animal being by way of a drug reservoir (12) having a pair of electrodes (16,18) positioned in the reservoir (12) that are connected to first (22A) and second (22B) power sources. The first (22A) and second (22B) power sources can be optionally directed to the electrodes (16, 18) to add to or subtract from the second (22B) power source so as to cause variations in the drug reservoir (12) in accordance with the type of drug being administered. The system can include computer (62) directed controls (66) programmed for the particular drug. With such pre-programmed variations in the drug reservoir (12), control of the rate of drug delivery through the skin (42) can be regulated or pre-set by prescription.

Abstract: A transdermal drug applicator for passing at least one drug for delivery to the systemic circulation system of a patient through the skin. The applicator includes a drug applicator containing a colloidal suspension having at least one drug for delivery to the body of a patient, the colloidal suspension comprising a fluid medium and generally large, as compared to the size of molecules, particles in the fluid medium. The particles and the medium are of different permittivities. The drug reservoir is capable of being placed in electrical contact with the skin of the patient. A voltage device imposes electrostatic field lines upon the fluid medium so as to create a non-uniform electrostatic field in the fluid medium when the drug reservoir is placed on the skin. The particles migrate in accordance with the principle of dielectrophoresis so as to pass through the skin into the systemic circulation system.

Abstract: Applicators for the electrophoretic and/or electro-osmotic deposition of a medicament across the skin and into the blood stream. The applicator includes a plurality of drug reservoir electrodes, a battery, a plurality of folded members each having an electrically conductive coating on a flexible, non-conductive substrate in electrical contact with the batttery and the drug reservoir electrodes, electrical current conditioning means, a cover adhesively secured to the applicator, and a release liner covering and protecting the drug reservoirs until use. A method of manufacturing the applicator is set forth.

Abstract: An indicator for the electrophoretic deposition of a medicament through or on a skin surface. The device includes layers forming a reservoir containing the drug, a battery layer superimposed on the reservoir, and a cover of electrically conductive material fully enclosing the layers and having a lip along its periphery to electro-conductively engage the skin surface and form an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A transdermal drug applicator for application to a body for the migration of medicament through the skin into the blood stream of a patient embodies a plurality of reservoirs for containing the medicament. A battery which supplies a charge for the medicament in the applicator is disposed adjacent one side of the reservoirs with a side of the battery facing the reservoir for charging/driving the medicament. Also, a cover comprising an electrically conductive material partially encloses the battery and one side of the reservoir opposite that of the battery is exposed for contacting the skin. An electrical circuit is further provided for electrically connecting the battery to the cover, and the cover having a lip defining the periphery of the applicator for making contact with the skin when mounted on the skin leaving the battery and reservoir generally fully enclosed.

Abstract: An electrical fuse adaptable for a wide range of current rating and response times. The fuse comprises a conductive element and an explosive charge, the latter shearing the conductive element at a predetermined temperature. In the disclosed embodiments, the explosive charge can be heated to the detonation temperature using a variety of auxiliary heat sources.

Abstract: An improved transdermal drug applicator for application to a living body for the migration of at least one medicament through the skin into the blood stream embodying at least two electrode elements forming the applicator and with the electrodes separated from each other by insulating means. A reservoir means, in at least one of said electrode elements of said applicator, containing said medicament; and a circuit, including a power source, for supplying electric power to said electrodes and such reservoir means. Suitable cover means partially enclosed at least said reservoir means, and adhesive means affixes the applicator to the skin, so as to complete an electrical circuit through the skin when the applicator is affixed thereto, thus creating at least one physico/chemical mass transfer phenomenon which causes said medicament to migrate through the skin.