Abstract: An iontophoretic apparatus for ocular iontophoresis comprising a housing element formed to cooperate with the eye. In cooperation with the housing element is a flexible current distribution element that is capable of transmitting electrical current. Coupled to the current distribution element is a conformable medicament containment element that is filled with a medicament which is released under the influence of an electrical current, while a barrier element is provided that is configured to reduce current flow outside of the barrier and aid in the preferential delivery of medicament.

Abstract: An iontophoretic apparatus comprising a housing member, a current distribution member, a medicament containment member and at least one of a lateral and medial straddling member. The straddling member are configured to correspond to the surrounding soft tissue.

Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic apparatus comprising a reservoir which includes a outer rim. The outer rim includes a barrier. The barrier is positionable upon the surface of the eye and serves to provide a seal between the reservoir and the surface of the eye. In turn. the passage of fluid across the barrier into and out of the reservoir is substantially precluded.

Abstract: An iontophoretic apparatus for ocular iontophoresis comprising a housing element formed to cooperate with the eye. In cooperation with the housing element is a flexible current distribution element that is capable of transmitting electrical current. Coupled to the current distribution element is a conformable medicament containment element that is filled with a medicament which is released under the influence of an electrical current, while a barrier element is provided that is configured to reduce current flow outside of the barrier and aid in the preferential delivery of medicament.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus permitting rapid and thorough hydration of an initially dry hydratable matrix element contained within an iontophoretic bioelectrode. The apparatus of the invention comprises a bioelectrode system for iontophoretic delivery of medicaments having at least one hydratable matrix element and associated removable hydration assembly. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two hydratable matrix elements each having an associated removable hydration assembly and each being associated with an electrical current distribution element. The removable hydration assembly includes an initially sealed liquid-storage component which maintains the desired hydrating liquid in isolation from the hydratable matrix element until such time as hydration is desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus permitting at least one hydrating liquid to be maintained in isolation and, when desired, permitting thorough release of the hydrating liquid. In particular, the self-contained hydrating system comprises a releasable seal for isolating hydrating liquid which can be progressively unsealed to release the hydrating liquid. The unsealing process involves an "unpeeling" of the releasable seal and, thus, does not involve breaking or rupturing of the seal material. In this manner, the hydrating liquid is made accessible but is never exposed to broken or ruptured sealing material. The self-contained hydrating system can be manufactured using existing equipment and techniques and can subsequently be easily associated with a separate device requiring hydration when desired.

Abstract: An improved iontophoretic bioelectrode constructed with a novel access window that conveniently allows a clinician direct access to the drug reservoir without prematurely exposing the adhesive layer. The access window is a partial cut out or perforation of a release liner that, when opened, only reveals the drug reservoir to the clinician while the remainder of the release liner simultaneously remains protectively covering the adhesive layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus permitting rapid and thorough hydration of an initially dry hydratable matrix element contained within an iontophoretic bioelectrode. The apparatus of the invention comprises a bioelectrode system for iontophoretic delivery of medicaments having at least one hydratable matrix element and associated removable hydration assembly. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two hydratable matrix elements each having an associated removable hydration assembly and each being associated with an electrical current distribution element. The removable hydration assembly includes an initially sealed liquid-storage component which maintains the desired hydrating liquid in isolation from the hydratable matrix element until such time as hydration is desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus permitting rapid and thorough hydration of an initially dry hydratable matrix element contained within a bioelectrode element for use in an iontophoretic delivery device. The apparatus of the invention comprises a bioelectrode element for iontophoretic delivery of medicaments having at least one hydratable matrix element and associated removable hydration assembly. The removable hydration assembly includes an initially sealed liquid-storage component which maintains the desired hydrating liquid in isolation from the hydratable matrix element until such time as hydration is desired. At that time, the removable hydration assembly can be activated by the user through application of force to a pocket in a side of the sealed liquid-storage component to cause the pocket to become inverted and substantially aligned within an opposing pocket in the other side such that the sealed liquid-storage component unseals at a predetermined release location.

Abstract: An improved electrode is disclosed for use in administering drug by means of iontophoresis, comprising a conductive element for receiving an electric current from a current source; a reticulated element having a plurality of reticulum for receiving an ionic drug solution for iontophoretic delivery, the reticulum being loaded or having applied thereto a hydrophilic polymer which is viscous when hydrated; and means for securing the reticulated element to the conductive element so that electric current will be distributed substantially uniformly through the reticulated element when hydrated and when current is delivered to the conductive element. The presently preferred embodiment utilizes open cell polyurethane foam as the reticulated element and high molecular weight polyethylene oxide as the hydrophilic polymer. The reticulum is further loaded with Tween 20, a surfactant, which serves to improve the rate of hydration.

Abstract: An improved electrode is disclosed for use in administering drug by means of iontophoresis, comprising a conductive element for receiving an electric current from a current source; a reticulated element having a plurality of reticulum for receiving an ionic drug solution for iontophoretic delivery, the reticulum being loaded or having applied thereto a hydrophilic polymer which is viscous when hydrated; and means for securing the reticulated element to the conductive element so that electric current will be distributed substantially uniformly through the reticulated element when hydrated and when current is delivered to the conductive element. The presently preferred embodiment utilizes open cell polyurethane foam as the reticulated element and high molecular weight polyethylene oxide as the hydrophilic polymer. The reticulum is further loaded with Tween 20, a surfactant, which serves to improve the rate of hydration.

Abstract: A hydratable iontophoretic bioelectrode including a plurality of layers of material capable of absorbing and holding an ionized fluid when placed in contact with the fluid. In one embodiment, a layer of a highly crosslinked dry hydrogel is used with a second layer of a more lightly crosslinked dry hydrogel. When the lightly crosslinked hydrogel layer is located so as to be in contact with the skin during iontophoresis, the medicament ions will be concentrated next to the skin. When the more highly crosslinked layer is located next to the conductive member, the undesirable effects of hydrolysis or corrosion of the conductive member are lessened. In another embodiment, adjacent layers are maintained at least partially out of contact from one another so as to improve the rate of hydration by disposition between the layers of spacing elements such as sugar or other dissolvable particles or cellulose or by forming a three dimensional pattern thereon.

Abstract: A hydratable iontophoretic bioelectrode includes a plurality of layers of material capable of absorbing and holding an ionized fluid when placed in contact with the fluid. Adjacent layers are maintained at least partially out of contact from one another by disposition between the layers of spacing elements such as sugar or other dissolvable particles or cellulose. The edges of the layers may be crimped to maintain the layers in a stack for assembly with an electrode sheet; such a sheet would be provided for receiving an electrical current to thereby produce an electric field and cause a migration of ions of the ionized fluid away from the electrode sheet and into the skin or tissue of a person or animal against which the bioelectrode is placed.

Abstract: A hydratable iontophoretic bioelectrode includes a plurality of layers of material capable of absorbing and holding an ionized fluid when placed in contact with the fluid. Adjacent layers are maintained at least partially out of contact from one another by disposition between the layers of spacing elements such as sugar or other dissolvable particles or cellulose. The edges of the layers may be crimped to maintain the layers in a stack for assembly with an electrode sheet; such a sheet would be provided for receiving an electrical current to thereby produce an electric field and cause a migration of ions of the ionized fluid away from the electrode sheet and into the skin or tissue of a person or animal against which the bioelectrode is placed.