Abstract: The use of an iontophoresis electrode assembly for delivery of a drug formulation is described. The drug formulation includes an anaesthetic and a vasoconstrictor. It is administered to a patient prior to a procedure to produce clinically acceptable depth and duration of dermal anaesthesia at the portion of skin to subject to a painful procedure or to reduce or eliminate pain. The procedure is one selected from the group consisting of venipuncture, IV cannulation, needle aspirations, body piercings, blood donations, electrolysis, tattoo removal, tattoo application, injections, dermabrasion, skin peeling, high velocity particle ablation, pace maker implantation, pace maker replacement, epidural puncture, lumbar puncture, regional nerve blocks, skin harvesting, small skin incisions, skin biopsies, circumcisions or excisions. The iontophoresis electrode assembly may also be used to reduce or temporarily eliminate neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments of integrated electrode devices, assemblies and systems structured for use in association with electrically assisted delivery devices configured for delivery of a composition to a membrane. The integrated electrode devices, assemblies and systems include one or more of a variety of structural, physical, mechanical, electrical and electromechanical enhancements.

Abstract: A shelf-stable electrically assisted transdermal drug delivery system for highly effective electrotransport of an anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor producing clinically acceptable dermal anesthesia and sensation is provided. In certain embodiments the anesthetic includes lidocaine and the vasoconstrictor includes epinephrine. Medicament delivery is affected to provide dermal anesthesia with little or no sensation during delivery, as measured by a variety of indicator tests. Methods of producing dermal anesthesia in patients are also provided.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a water-swellable porous plastic plug is provided, the process including the steps of: providing a porous substrate having a plurality of passageways therethrough, disposing into the passageways a hydrophilic polymer, irradiating the substrate to induce cross-linking of the hydrophilic polymer, such that the polymer forms a hydrogel coating on the walls of the passageways.

Abstract: An electrically assisted transdermal drug delivery system for highly effective electrotransport of an anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor producing clinically acceptable depth and duration of dermal anesthesia at a treatment site. In certain embodiments, the anesthetic comprises lidocaine and the vasoconstrictor comprises epinephrine.

Abstract: A shelf-stable electrically assisted transdermal drug delivery system for highly effective electrotransport of an anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor producing clinically acceptable dermal anesthesia and sensation is provided. In certain embodiments the anesthetic includes lidocaine and the vasoconstrictor includes epinephrine. Medicament delivery is affected to provide dermal anesthesia with little or no sensation during delivery, as measured by a variety of indicator tests. Methods of producing dermal anesthesia in patients are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments of integrated electrode devices, assemblies and systems structured for use in association with electrically assisted delivery devices configured for delivery of a composition, such as a composition comprising gonadotropin-releasing hormone and/or related analogs through a membrane. The integrated electrode devices, assemblies and systems include one or more of a variety of structural, physical, mechanical, electrical and electromechanical enhancements. Methods of administering compositions to patients with integrated electrode devices according to various embodiments described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: The use of an iontophoresis electrode assembly for delivery of a drug formulation is described. The drug formulation includes an anaesthetic and a vasoconstrictor. It is administered to a patient prior to a procedure to produce clinically acceptable depth and duration of dermal anaesthesia at the portion of skin to subject to a painful procedure or to reduce or eliminate pain. The procedure is one selected from the group consisting of venipuncture, IV cannulation, needle aspirations, body piercings, blood donations, electrolysis, tattoo removal, tattoo application, injections, dermabrasion, skin peeling, high velocity particle ablation, pace maker implantation, pace maker replacement, epidural puncture, lumbar puncture, regional nerve blocks, skin harvesting, small skin incisions, skin biopsies, circumcisions or excisions. The iontophoresis electrode assembly may also be used to reduce or temporarily eliminate neuropathic pain.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments of integrated electrode devices, assemblies and systems structured for use in association with electrically assisted delivery devices configured for delivery of a composition to a membrane. The integrated electrode devices, assemblies and systems include one or more of a variety of structural, physical, mechanical, electrical and electromechanical enhancements.

Abstract: Highly shelf-stable electrically assisted transdermal drug delivery systems for delivering epinephrine, typically with an anesthetic such as lidocaine, are provided along with methods for making the highly shelf-stable epinephrine-containing transdermal delivery device. Highly shelf-stable packaged electrode assemblies for transdermal delivery of epinephrine also are provided.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic crosslinked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A blood gas syringe includes a porous plastic plug having a crosslinked hydrogel affixed to a wall of a passageway of the plug. When a blood sample is taken with the syringe, the incoming sample forces air in the system out through the passageway of the plug until the sample contacts the hydrogel, causing the passageway to seal shut.

Abstract: A blood gas syringe includes a porous plastic plug having a crosslinked hydrogel affixed to a wall of a passageway of the plug. When a blood sample is taken with the syringe, the incoming sample forces air in the system out through the passageway of the plug until the sample contacts the hydrogel, causing the passageway to seal shut.

Abstract: Provided is a method for loading electrode-corroding ingredients into an un-loaded donor gel reservoir of an electrode for an electrically assisted drug delivery system. The method provides that a salt, such as sodium chloride or an organic salt, is provided in the un-loaded donor gel reservoir, contrary to convention. Related electrically assisted drug delivery electrode assemblies also are provided.

Abstract: A reservoir-electrode for an iontophoretic delivery device of the present invention includes an electrode; and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a substantially uniform concentration of an alkali metal chloride salt therein thereby substantially eliminating concentration gradients of the salt with respect to the electrode. The polymeric material has a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesive to an applied area of a patient's skin.