Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to methods for treating myofascial pain, muscle pain, back pain, or combinations of these pains. Specifically, a method for treating myofascial pain, muscle pain, back pain, or combinations thereof includes the application of an analgesic system to a skin surface of a subject experiencing the pain and maintaining the analgesic system on the skin surface for a period of time of at least 30 minutes. The analgesic system applied to the skin surface can include a heating component and a local anesthetic formulation which includes at least one local anesthetic. The heating component can be capable of heating the skin surface to a temperature of 36° C. to 42° C.

Abstract: An apparatus to rapidly deliver a drug to a patient, the invention comprising the method of locating a drug beneath a patient's skin in a drug depot site, placing a heating component near the drug depot site and generating heat in and near the drug depot site. A control component connected to the heating component is used to control the magnitude and duration of heat generated by the heating component.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive peel-forming formulations for dermal delivery of a drug. The formulation can include a drug, a solvent vehicle, and a peel-forming agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system having one or more volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system having one or more non-volatile solvent, wherein the non-volatile solvent system has a solubility for the drug that is within a window of operable solubility for the drug such that the drug can be delivered at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified peelable layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus to rapidly deliver a drug to a patient The invention comprises a drug beneath a patient's skin in a drug depot site. A heating component is placed near the drug depot site and generates heat in and near the drug depot site. A control component connected to the heating component is used to control the magnitude and duration of heat generated by the heating component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for delivering a drug into the systemic circulation. The method comprises establishing a drug depot in a patient's skin and/or sub-skin tissues by applying a transdermal drug delivery system on the patients skin, for a predetermined time so that a drug depot is formed in said user's skin and/or sub-skin tissues. A heating source is placed proximate to the skin area to rapidly release a bolus of the drug from the depot into the systemic circulation when there is a need to rapidly increase the drug's concentrations in the systemic circulation.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for reducing the abuse potential of drugs, particularly or especially narcotic agents, in transdermal drug delivery systems. This is achieved by designing the transdermal drug delivery system such that when the active drug is extracted out of the transdermal delivery system, a deterrent agent is also timely co-extracted upon introduction of the system to an extraction solution where abuse may normally be allowed take place. Preferably, the deterrent agent of the present invention is capable of inducing or causing one or more intensely repugnant effects within the abusing person, thus reducing the potential for abuse of the active drug formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the delivery rate of an androgen transdermal therapeutic system through the skin. An androgen transdermal therapeutic system can be applied to a patient's skin for delivery of the androgen. A temperature modification apparatus which is capable of generating controlled heat is applied approximate to the androgen transdermal therapeutic system. The heating from the temperature modification apparatus raises the temperature of the androgen transdermal therapeutic system and raises the temperature of the patient's skin to achieve an increased rate of delivery of androgen through the skin. The controlled heat can also be used to adjust dosage rates of the androgen transdermal therapeutic system and to mimic natural circadian patterns. The controlled heating may also be used to improve or regulate the release of androgen from injected/implanted extended/controlled release systems.

Abstract: An apparatus to rapidly deliver a drug to a patient, the invention comprising the method of locating a drug beneath a patient's skin in a drug depot site, placing a heating component near the drug depot site and generating heat in and near the drug depot site. A control component connected to the heating component is used to control the magnitude and duration of heat generated by the heating component.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus for controlled heat aided dermal drug delivery is disclosed. The apparatus has a temperature control component and a drug delivery component. The temperature control component may and dermal drug delivery component are an integrated unit. The apparatus also comprises means to prevent exchange of substance(s) among the heat generating component, the drug delivery component and the outside environment. The apparatus is designed to be easy to use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transdermal drug delivery system comprising a dermal drug delivery patch and a heating element compartment securable to the dermal drug delivery patch. A freely transferrable heating element is securable within the heating element compartment. A drug can be administered transdermally using the present invention by placing the dermal drug delivery patch upon a patient's skin at an administration site. A heating element compartment is secured to the dermal drug delivery patch and a freely transferrable heating element is placed within the heating element compartment. The heating element provides controlled heat to the dermal drug patch and the patient's skin and thereby improves dermal drug administration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a heating device which is capable of generating heat when exposed to oxygen. The heat generating element comprises activated carbon and iron is used to generate an exothermic oxidation reaction within the heating device. Introducing an oxidation inhibitor during the manufacturing process allows the manufacturing of the device to take place in ambient atmospheric conditions. The present invention also includes a loading facilitator which allows the heat generating medium to be more easily and efficiently loaded into the heat generating device. When appropriate, the oxidation inhibitor and loading facilitator can be removed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for delivering a drug into the systemic circulation. The method comprises establishing a drug depot in a patient's skin and/or sub-skin tissues by applying a transdermal drug delivery system on the patients skin, for a predetermined time so that a drug depot is formed in said user's skin and/or sub-skin tissues. A heating source is placed proximate to the skin area to rapidly release a bolus of the drug from the depot into the systemic circulation when there is a need to rapidly increase the drug's concentrations in the systemic circulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a heating device which is capable of generating heat when exposed to oxygen. The heat generating element comprises activated carbon and iron is used to generate an exothermic oxidation reaction within the heating device. Introducing an oxidation inhibitor during the manufacturing process allows the manufacturing of the device to take place in ambient atmospheric conditions. The present invention also includes a loading facilitator which allows the heat generating medium to be more easily and efficiently loaded into the heat generating device. When appropriate, the oxidation inhibitor and loading facilitator can be removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transdermal drug delivery system comprising a dermal drug delivery patch and a heating element compartment securable to the dermal drug delivery patch. A freely transferrable heating element is securable within the heating element compartment. A drug can be administered transdermally using the present invention by placing the dermal drug delivery patch upon a patient's skin at an administration site. A heating element compartment is secured to the dermal drug delivery patch and a freely transferrable heating element is placed within the heating element compartment. The heating element provides controlled heat to the dermal drug patch and the patient's skin and thereby improves dermal drug administration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus to rapidly deliver a drug to a patient The invention comprises a drug beneath a patient's skin in a drug depot site. A heating component is placed near the drug depot site and generates heat in and near the drug depot site. A control component connected to the heating component is used to control the magnitude and duration of heat generated by the heating component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transdermal drug delivery system comprising a dermal drug delivery patch and a heating element compartment securable to the dermal drug delivery patch. A freely transferrable heating element is securable within the heating element compartment. A drug can be administered transdermally using the present invention by placing the dermal drug delivery patch upon a patient's skin at an administration site. A heating element compartment is secured to the dermal drug delivery patch and a freely transferrable heating element is placed within the heating element compartment. The heating element provides controlled heat to the dermal drug patch and the patient's skin aid thereby improves dermal drug administration.

Abstract: A multi-functional endoscopic probe apparatus to selectively apply either a low or high frequency voltage to cut and cauterize. The apparatus has an elongated multi-lumen tube that is attached to a pistol grip having a multiplicity of functions contained thereon. The multi-lumen tube has a first lumen for the passage of either a high or a low pressure irrigation stream therethrough, a second lumen for suction to remove excess fluid and debris, and a third lumen for the passage of a slidably extendable and retractable electro-surgical cutting tip. The pistol grip handle has a wheel which enables the surgeon to rotate the multi-lumen tube containing the surgical cutting tip relative to the pistol grip. A plurality of push-button valves enable the selective application a negative pressure for withdrawing excess fluids and removing incident tissue debris from the surgical site and to operatively apply a flood irrigation stream or a precise irrigation stream to the surgical site to wash and cleanse the tissue.