Abstract: A sweat control or hyperhidrosis treatment device for providing iontophoresis of antiperspirant into a region of a human body includes a DC power source, a controller and a pair of electrodes. The electrodes are mounted in generally close proximity to one another and are separated by an insulating member. The electrodes generally carry an antiperspirant element and are responsive to an a current signal through the controller. The electrodes are generally formed of aluminum and have a rough surface to increase the number of aluminum ions available for infusion into the region. The controller converts the DC signal to an AC waveform. The electrodes are of opposite polarity with respect to each other such that during the first portion of the AC waveform, current is conducted through the region in a first direction from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: Catheter-based devices for enhancing the local delivery of drugs, pharmaceuticals, plasmids, genes, and other agents into the wall tissues of tubular compartments of the living body. One catheter device provides an electrical driving force that can increase the rate of migration of drugs and other therapeutic agents out of a polymer matrix into body tissues and cells using iontophoresis only. Another device uses iontophoresis only, electroporation only, or combined iontophoresis and electroporation. In the latter device, the two procedures may be applied sequentially in any order without removing or repositioning the catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective long term and/or permanent hair removal from a biological subject by iontophoretic delivery of a chemical depilatory agent and a substance for increasing skin permeability, e.g. sodium salicylate, deeply into a hair removal site for effecting varying degrees of damage to hair roots.

Abstract: An electrotransport system (20) for delivery of a drug through the skin (63) of a patient includes a tactile signal generator (36) for generating and transmitting a tactile signal to the skin of a patient upon the occurrence of an event associated with the operation of the system. The tactile signal may be an electric AC signaling current (Sr, Sp) applied through the skin, ie, an electric current different from the therapeutic electrotransport drive current. The electric signaling current is preferably a pulsed current of sufficient frequency and amplitude to allow the patient to feel it. The tactile signal may alternatively be generated by an electromechanical device in contact with the skin such as a piezoelectric vibrating element or magnetodynamic element such as a solenoid driven pin. The waveform of the tactile signaling current preferably has a zero average current component such that no net therapeutic drug is delivered by the tactile signal current.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved electrotransport drug delivery system for analgesic drugs, namely fentanyl and sufentanil. The fentanyl/sufentanil is provided as a water soluble salt (eg, fentanyl hydrochloride) dispersed in a hydrogel formulation for use in an electrotransport device (10). In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the concentration of fentanyl/sufentanil in the donor reservoir (26) solution is above a predetermined minimum concentration, whereby the transdermal electrotransport flux of fentanyl/sufentanil is maintained independent of the concentration of fentanyl/sufentanil in solution. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the donor reservoir (26) of the electrotransport delivery device (10) is comprised of silver and the donor reservoir (26) contains a predetermined “excess” loading of fentanyl/sufentanil halide to prevent silver ion migration with attendant skin discoloration.

Abstract: Blood lines for hemodialysis and other blood handling procedures may be reused by placing connectors intermediately along the length of the blood lines so that the lines can be disconnected to separate out reusable portions thereof. Specifically, the bulk of the blood lines used may comprise branchless lengths of tubing which are easily reusable, and may be cleaned and stored along with a dialyzer or similar device by connection to a conventional reuse machine. Also, the connectors on the blood lines which are reused may have first and second sealing surfaces. The first sealing surfaces are used in the connections made to form the blood line in its normal form for use. Then, during cleaning and sterilization for reuse, the reusable connectors can connect first and second lengths of blood lines together making use of a second sealing surface, in which the first sealing surfaces are exposed to cleaning/storing solution to cause cleaning and antibacterial action on the first sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A device for transdermal administration of medication includes a medication reservoir, a set of electrodes made up of an electrode attached to the medication reservoir and a counter electrode, an electronic key loaded with a predetermined code, an electronic module, separably mounted on the set of electrodes, for reading and operating the device according to the predetermined code and for regulating the electric current flowing between the two electrodes and through the reservoir and skin of the patient, and a cradle for holding the electronic module.

Abstract: A method for inducing angiogenesis in blood vessels proximal to ischemic tissue or proximal to stenosed regions including application of an estrogen compound to the blood vessel walls at a treatment site proximal to or upstream of the stenosis. A preferred delivery device is a double walled drug delivery catheter having porous outer walls. Another suitable delivery device is a drug injection device for injecting angiogenic material into blood vessel walls. One delivery method utilizes iontophoresis.

Abstract: An iontophoresis system and its control process for current are proposed, which system can decrease variation in drug delivery quantity due to the individual difference of impedance of skin or mucosal membrane, and avoid any decrease of the delivery quantity of drug in a donor device, thereby to obtain excellent medicinal effect, safety, reliability, and productivity, comprising said donor device, a reference device, a current detection unit for measuring as an effective current value the difference between the value of an applied current passing between the donor and reference devices during application of pulse voltage/current and the value of a discharged current whose electric charge which the living body has been equipped with is released by a short-circuit formed between said donor and reference devices when the application of pulse voltage/current is suspended, and a feedback control unit of making the amplitude of the pulse voltage/current variable to control the effective current value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying iontophoretic treatment to a biological subject wherein electrical treatment current between a pair of electrodes is periodically reversed at very low frequencies, substantially in the range of approximately 0.0027 Hz to approximately 10 Hz, to mitigate tissue damage, enable long term dosimetry with single and multiple drugs of any polarity and at higher concentrations, and eliminate the need for buffering agents and the like, all in a relatively simple, economical and compact physical packaging configuration. The system delivers treatment substances with large, e.g. insulin, and/or small molecular size and weight and can be adjusted to control pH at the delivery site. A method of lowering resistance and enhancing permeability at the delivery site, as well as increasing drug concentrations and delivery rates. A method for anti-aging, healing and hair regeneration.

Abstract: An adsorbent that exhibits a high specificity in adsorbing immunoglobulins and/or complexes thereof, is extremely reduced in the lowering of the adsorption characteristic during sterilization or storage, is highly stable and safe, and is prepared by immobilizing on a water-insoluble support either a peptide derivative which has undergone at least one of the deletion, substitution, insertion, or addition of amino acids in a peptide having a specified amino acid sequence or an amino acid sequence, or the above peptide derivative which has undergone the addition of Lyn or Cys at the amino and/or carboxyl terminal thereof; a device for adsorption and removal made by packing the adsorbent in a vessel equipped with effluent preventing means; and a method of adsorbing and removing immunoglobulins and/or complexes thereof contained in the blood, plasma or other body fluids with the adsorbent.

Abstract: An iontophoresis electrode structure comprising has both a polarization electrode and a non-polarization electrode, wherein both electrodes can be switched freely while the electricity is turned on. The present electrode structure makes it possible to transfer biologically active substances and drugs into a living body through the skin and the mucous membrane in a sufficient amount and safety by employing both a polarization electrode and a non-polarization electrode as iontophoresis electrodes according to a proper switch, and can transfer biologically active substances and drugs through the skin and the mucous membrane effectively without causing irritation.

Abstract: A progressive filtration system for a chest drainage unit during continuous autrotransfusion comprising a gross filter for filtering incoming blood at the inlet portion of a collection chamber of a chest drainage unit and a conventional fine micron filter assembly located at the bottom portion of the collection chamber for refiltering collected blood prior to reinfusion of that blood back to the patient. The micron filter assembly includes a valve cap at the top portion of the assembly that functions as a plug to seal the top portion of the assembly and as a one way valve that permits reflux of later developing blood clots that might clog the tubing once the blood has already passed through the assembly.The valve cap is also adapted for sealing engagement with a drop tube that places the filter assembly in fluid flow communication with an outlet of the collection chamber located at the top portion of the chamber.

Abstract: An electroporation method and apparatus generating and applying an electric field according to a user-specified pulsing scheme. Advantageously, one such pulse includes a low voltage pulse of a first duration, immediately followed by a high voltage of a second duration, immediately followed by a low voltage of a third duration. The low voltage electroporation field accumulates molecules at the surface of a cell, the appropriately high voltage field creates an opening in the cell, and the final low voltage field moves the molecule into the cell. The molecules may be DNA, portions of DNA, chemical agents, the receiving cells may be eggs, platelets, human cells, red blood cells, mammalian cells, plant protoplasts, plant pollen, liposomes, bacteria, fungi, yeast, sperm, or other suitable cells. The molecules are placed in close proximity to the cells, either in the interstitial space in tissue surrounding the cells or in a fluid medium containing the cells.

Abstract: An electrotransport delivery device (410) includes control circuitry for discontinuously delivering a beneficial agent (eg, a drug) through a body surface (eg, skin 400). For example, the device may be the type which is manually activated by the patient or other medical personnel to activate electrotransport drug delivery. Once electrotransport delivery has been activated, a timer (221) counts a transition interval, typically about one minute, during which the device is allowed to operate and the impedance of the body surface (400) is allowed to stabilize. Thereafter, the electrotransport current and voltage are then monitored and compared to predetermined limits. Allowing for the transition interval permits tighter tolerances in monitoring the applied current.

Abstract: A two-part electrotransport drug delivery device (20) is comprised of a controller (22) which has a plurality of different electronic outputs. The controller (22) is adapted to be mechanically and electrically coupled to a plurality of different drug-containing units (24). Each drug unit (24) includes a means (40, 42, Rx, Cx) for signaling the controller (22). The signal is read by the controller (22) and a predetermined electronic output is thereby selected and applied through the drug unit (24) in order to deliver the drug contained therein by electrotransport. The signal sent by the drug unit (24) to the controller (22) may be an optical signal (e.g., reflected light), a signal sent by an electro-mechanical connector, an electrical signal (e.g., resistance or capacitance), a magnetic signal or a metal detector sensing signal.

Abstract: An electrotransport device (10) for delivering therapeutic agents includes an adjustable voltage boost multiple controller (100, 200) for boosting the voltage from a power source (102, 202) to a working voltage V.sub.w having a value just sufficient to provide the desired therapeutic current level I.sub.I through the electrodes (108, 112), at least one of which contains the therapeutic agent to be delivered.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for iontophoretically removing any compound that is capable of causing skin irritation or other harmful effects. More specifically, a bipolar iontophoretic transdermal delivery method is disclosed that includes a reversal phase for controlling the iontophoretic transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical compounds while reducing or eliminating skin irritation and terminating the pharmacological or toxicological effects in skin of drugs/cosmetics/active ingredients which form a drug depot in the skin after passive or iontophoretic application.

Abstract: Methods for conducting operation of an electrode arrangement are described. The methods generally concern use of an electrode reservoir containing both a first electrode and a secondary electrode. A system for practicing the methods is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an iontophoresis electrode which is applicable to mucous membranes and oral mucous membranes, and especially capable of sticking directly on human oral mucous membranes and excellent in efficiently administering medicine and extremely easy to handle and lightweight.An iontophoresis electrode (Ka) of this invention comprises a backing layer (1) and, a conductive layer for current dispersion (2) made of silver or silver chloride that laminated on the backing layer (1) and, a spacer layer (3) of film, sheet, or cloth shape which is made of dried polymer layer with water soluble and swelling properties and laminated on the conductive layer for current dispersion, and can be sticked to the oral mucous membrane.

Abstract: An iontophoresis method for delivenng an active substance or drug to a target tissue which includes the step of sandwiching the target tissue between a donor electrode and receptor electrode which are each electrically connnected to a power source wherein a current path between the donor electrode and the receptor electrode is maintained at a minimum value to enhance delivery of the active substance to the target tissue.

Abstract: A selectively permeable membrane (14) is positioned between the agent reservoir (15) and the electrode (11) of a donor electrode assembly (8) in an iontophoretic delivery device (10). Optionally, an electrolyte reservoir (13) is positioned intermediate the electrode (11) and the agent reservoir (15). In certain embodiments, the membrane (14) is permeable to species of less than a predetermined molecular weight and substantially less permeable to species of greater than the predetermined molecular weight. The agent is capable of dissociating into agent ions and counter ions.

Abstract: A method for in vivo electrotherapy, or electroporation-mediated therapy, using a needle array apparatus is provided. Treatment of tumors with a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention, and a chemotherapeutic agent, caused regression of tumors in vivo.

Abstract: An electrotransport agent delivery device for delivering a therapeutic agent through a body surface, and a method for increasing agent delivery efficiency, is provided. The device includes a current controller which delivers a pulsating electrotransport current and peak current density I.sub.max, I.sub.max being greater than a critical current density level I.sub.c above which the body exhibits a non-transitory higher agent delivery efficiency. Methods for increasing electrotransport delivery efficiency (E) of an agent through a body surface by creation of a higher agent delivery efficiency state are also provided.