Abstract: A method of simultaneous angioplasty and drug delivery to a localized portion of coronary or peripheral arteries or any other type of body passage that has a stricture. The invention contemplates positioning a drug delivery device in a body passageway and then selectively introducing a selected drug so that the device is expanded in order to dilate the passage and then simultaneously causing the drug to be transported across a drug transport wall of the device for direct contact with the passageway wall. A more specific aspect of the present invention involves treating a dilated vessel in the area of a stenotic lesion with a fixative or other drug to render the vessel biologically inert and to form a biological stent or prevent restenosis using specifically selected drugs.

Abstract: A drug delivery apparatus and method for delivering a drug locally to internal body tissue. The invention contemplates positioning a drug delivery device in a body passageway or within body tissue and then selectively wetting a membrane within the device, making the membrane permeable and allowing transport of a drug across the membrane and into the passageway wall or body tissue.

Abstract: A drug delivery apparatus and method for delivering a drug locally to internal body tissue. The invention contemplates positioning a drug delivery device in a body passageway or within body tissue and then selectively introducing a selected drug so that it is transported across a drug transport wall of the device for direct contact with the passageway wall or body tissue. A further aspect of the present invention involves treating a dilated vessel in the area of a stenotic lesion with a fixative or other drug to render the vessel biologically inert and to form a biological stent or prevent restenosis using specifically selected drugs. A still further aspect of the present invention involves treating a tumor or local or regional tissue mass with antitumor sensitizing agents, biological modifiers, antibiotics or other types of drugs by delivery of the drug to the tumor or tissue area directly or through the passageway wall.

Abstract: A drug delivery apparatus and method for delivering a drug locally to internal body tissue. The invention contemplates positioning a drug delivery device in a body passageway or within body tissue and then selectively introducing a selected drug so that it is transported across a drug transport wall of the device for direct contact with the passageway wall or body tissue. A further aspect of the present invention involves treating a dilated vessel in the area of a stenotic lesion with a fixative or other drug to render the vessel biologically inert and to form a biological stent or prevent restenosis using specifically selected drugs. A still further aspect of the present invention involves treating a tumor or local or regional tissue mass with antitumor sensitizing agents, biological modifiers, antibiotics or other types of drugs by delivery of the drug to the tumor or tissue area directly or through the passageway wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enhancing the diffusion of a substance to a local area of material or tissue by providing ultrasonic energy to the substance and material in two or more distinct frequencies simultaneously. Each of the distinct frequencies of ultrasonic energy is chosen to enhance permeation of the substance through one or more diffusion rate-limiting sections of the material.

Abstract: A hydratable iontophoretic bioelectrode includes a layer of material for absorbing and holding an ionized fluid when placed in contact with the fluid. A conductive sheet of material is positioned in contact with one side of the layer of material and is connectable to an electrical charged source to receive a charge of the same polarity as the polarity of ions in the fluid. A support base holds the layer of material and conductive sheets in place to enable placement of the layer of material against the skin or tissue of a person into which ions from the ionized fluid are to be delivered. This is carried out by applying the charge in question to the conductive sheet to cause the ions in the layer of material to migrate therefrom into the person's skin or tissue.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive lamina for use with and to form a bio-medical electrode device comprising the steps of providing a non-conductive base structure, providing a mixture of an electrically conductive substance and a media component, depositing the mixture onto the base structure, and curing the mixture. The method further comprises the step of mixing the electrical conductant and the media component in a closed cell, positive pressure kinetic mixer. The method further comprises the steps of combining a urethane base and a polyhydric alcohol to form the media component and delaying the mixing of the media component and the electrical conductant for a predetermined time period. In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of combining a photo-initiator, a cross-linking agent, and low pH acrylic monomers to form a precomponent, and mixing the precomponent with the glycol to form the media component.