Abstract: A method of treating acute urinary outflow system obstruction caused by disease of the prostate gland by localised electromotive drug administration. The treatment comprises insertion within the prostatic urethra and within the bladder cavity of a urethral catheter which incorporates a specific electrode and is adapted to perform the electromotive administration of a drug or drug mixture into diseased prostatic tissues thereby resolving the pathologies without resorting to surgery.

Abstract: An intravesical method of treating dysfunctional bladder syndromes by Electromotive Drug Administration (EMDA) of local anaesthetic drugs, anti muscarinic drugs and sympathomimetic agents. The administration of said drugs combined with hydraulic bladder dilatation causes relaxation of the detrusor muscle, reversing the hypertonicity associated with dysfunctional bladder syndromes.

Abstract: A morphine formulation for use by electromotive administration comprising morphine citrate salts of the formula:M.sub.np Ct.sub.(3-n)p (C.sub.6 H.sub.5 O.sub.7).sub.pwherein M is protonated morphine, Ct is a physiologically acceptable cation, n is an integer or fractional number greater than 0 and less than or equal to 3, and p is an integer from 1 to 3.

Abstract: Device for the combined electropharmacological treatment of the bladder and the prostatic urethra including a bougie comprising a flexible tubular body, openings for connection to the outside, an opening in its tip and elastic sealing elements arranged perimetrically around it, the bougie being internally provided with a stem-like electrode having two independent conductors, one shorter than the other, and suitable to perform a combined electropharmacological treatment of the bladder and of the prostatic urethra.

Abstract: A method of treating recalcitrant indewelling catheter-associated infections including the following procedures: inserting into the lumen of the catheter, a primary electrode whose uninsulated distal section is of a spiral or filamentous configuration physically contacting the internal surface of the catheter; positioning and sealing a secondary electrode-receptacle on the skin area around the exit site of the catheter and around an external section of the catheter so as to form a conical container for holding liquids; infusion of a solution of antimicrobial drugs through the catheter; instilling a solution of antimicrobial drugs into the secondary electrode-receptacle; and applying a voltage differential between the primary and secondary electrodes, in which an electric field is applied to the internal and external surfaces of the catheter, and this field both disrupts hitherto priviledged sites for microorganisms on the surfaces of the catheter and drives antimicrobial drugs into these same surfaces.

Abstract: Intravesical electromotive administration of specified dye substances for localisation and treatment of occult bladder cancers, is disclosed. Innocuous dye substances will provide differential staining of cancerous and normal urothelium; and anticancer dye substances will demonstrate differential staining and also initiate therapy of cancerous lesions. The addition of vasodilating agents will accentuate the differential staining and further promote therapy of the cancerous sites.

Abstract: A method of treating schistosomal infestations by both adult worms and eggs-miracidia, residing in the veins, venules and nearby tissues either of the bladder and ureters or of the colorectal regions of the intestines, including the locally administration by iontophoresis of at least an antischistosomal drug in the form of a solution.

Abstract: A method of intracorporeal iontophoretic treatment of an internal hollow body organ containing a physiological ion-rich fluid environment by delivery to said hollow body organ of drug ions by means of an iontophoretic device inserted into said hollow body organ and comprising an active electrode which has the same polarity as the drug ions to be delivered. The method comprises direct measurement of the pH of said physiological fluid environment, whereby indirectly measuring its ionic composition and selecting accordingly the material of said active electrode so that it either can interact with ions contained in said physiological environment or allow the interaction of said environmental ions with water hydrolysis products so as to reduce the ionic species competitive with said drug ions during the iontophoretic process.