Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic device for delivering an interferon to an affected area of a living being's eye comprising an active electrode assembly associated with a matrix, wherein the matrix includes an interferon capable of treating viral, immunoregulatory, and/or neovascularization conditions. A method for treating an affected area of a living being's eye comprising the steps of: associating an interferon with an ocular iontophoretic device; positioning at least a portion of the ocular iontophoretic device on the eye of a living being; and iontophoretically delivering the interferon to an affected area of the living being's eye.

Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic device for delivering an aptamer to an affected area of a living being's eye for inhibiting VEGF function therein, the device comprising an active electrode assembly associated with a matrix and/or reservoir, wherein the matrix and/or reservoir includes an aptamer capable of inhibiting VEGF function. A method for treating an affected area of a living being's eye, comprising the steps of: associating an aptamer with an ocular iontophoretic device; positioning at least a portion of an ocular iontophoretic device on the eye of the living being; and iontophoretically delivering the aptamer to an affected area of the living being's eye.

Abstract: A method for treating neoplastic, angiogenic, vascular, fibroblastic, immunosuppressive, infectious, metabolic, and/or constitutional irregularities of the eye and/or joint of a living subject, comprising the steps of: providing a living subject, wherein the living subject includes an affected ocular and/or joint area having a neoplastic, angiogenic, fibroblastic, immunosuppressive, infectious, metabolic, and/or constitutional irregularity; providing a combretastatin-A4 based medicament, wherein the combretastatin-A4 based medicament is capable of preventing microtubule assembly, inhibiting the proliferation of endothelial, eukaryotic, and neoplastic cells, or altering their shape and function, as well as providing an anti-inflammatory effect; associating a therapeutically effective concentration of the combretastatin based medicament with the affected ocular and/or joint area of the living subject; and decreasing the neoplastic, angiogenic, vascular, fibroblastic, immunosuppressive, infectious, metabolic and

Abstract: A high current density iontophoretic device, comprising a reservoir, an applicator, an orientation maintaining member and an iontophoretic medicament administering member. The reservoir is capable of retaining medicament. The applicator is positionable upon a surface of an eye and includes at least one punctation therethrough. The at least one punctation is capable of being placed in fluid communication with each of the reservoir and at least one treatment area of an eye upon operative positioning of same. The orientation member substantially maintains the orientation of the applicator in the desired orientation upon operative positioning of same. The iontophoretic administering member serves to administer a medicament from the reservoir to the at least one punctation and, in turn, to a specific region of an eye of a patient.

Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic device for delivering a composition to an affected area of a living being's eye comprising an active electrode assembly associated with a matrix, wherein the matrix includes a composition capable of treating inflammatory and/or neovascularization conditions.

Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic device for delivering an aptamer to an affected area of a living being's eye for inhibiting VEGF function therein, the device comprising an active electrode assembly associated with a matrix and/or reservoir, wherein the matrix and/or reservoir includes an aptamer capable of inhibiting VEGF function.

Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic device for delivering an interferon to an affected area of a living being's eye comprising an active electrode assembly associated with a matrix, wherein the matrix includes an interferon capable of treating viral, immunoregulatory, and/or neovascularization conditions.

Abstract: An ocular iontophoretic device for delivering an aptamer to an affected area of a living being's eye for inhibiting VEGF function therein, the device comprising an active electrode assembly associated with a matrix and/or reservoir, wherein the matrix and/or reservoir includes an aptamer capable of inhibiting VEGF function.

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 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: 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 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.