Abstract: A treatment device is provided for applying electrical energy to biological tissue in conjunction with injecting a composition that advantageously diffuses through the tissue. An injector such as a syringe has a reservoir for the treatment composition and injection cannula. The cannula can function as an electrode, and one or more additional electrodes are provided as opposed electrodes. The electrodes can each have tissue penetrating needles, or one or more of the electrodes can have a surface bearing conductive contact part. The syringe or other injector and a drive unit that applies electrical power to the electrodes are operable simultaneously or in a sequence, and can be triggered by switches or automatically upon detection of the injection proceeding to a predetermined state. The treatment device preferably uses a disposable syringe received in a carrier and generally is provided with a non-threatening appearance by minimizing tissue penetration and potential high voltage aspects.

Abstract: A method of delivering a pharmaceutical agent, such as a nucleic acid molecule, to a vertebrate host is disclosed which comprises combining the synergistic steps of electrical stimulation with administration of a biologically active amount of hyaluronidase. Additionally, formulations which comprise hyaluronidase and a pharmaceutical agent, such as a nucleic acid molecule, are disclosed. The hyaluronidase preparation is preferably administered prior to or simultaneous with the pharmaceutical agent and in conjunction with an applied electrical stimulation, thus affecting increased transfer of the population of a pharmaceutical agent into the target tissue when compared to the affect of electrical stimulation alone. The combination of hyaluronidase administration and electrostimulation results in a substantial increase in the transfer of the pharmaceutical agent, such as a nucleic acid molecule, to the target vertebrate host tissue.