Method for electrokinetic delivery of medicaments

Abstract

A portable iontophoresis apparatus for facilitating delivery of medication across the cutaneous membrane into adjacent underlying tissues and blood vessels. The apparatus employs a modular, detachable non-reusable medicament-containing applicator electrode which is adapted to attach to a base assembly. The apparatus is designed to be hand-held and includes a circumferential tactile electrode band on the base assembly which provides electrical connection between the skin of the user's hand and one pole of a bipolar power source housed within the base assembly. The opposing pole of the power source is connected to the applicator electrode. The user's body completes the electrical circuit between the applicator and tactile electrodes. A method for using the device for the treatment of Herpes simplex infection and related viral infections which produce similar cutaneous lesions is presented. The apparatus, when used in accordance with the method described herein, demonstrated >90% treatment efficacy in clinical trials.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates generally to the transdermal electrokinetic mass transfer of medication into a diseased tissue, and, more specifically, to a portable apparatus for the iontophoretic delivery of medication across the skin and incorporation of the medication into diseased tissues and blood vessels adjacent to the delivery site. The apparatus provides a new method for treating and managing diseases presenting cutaneous lesions.2. Prior ArtIontophoresis has been employed for several centuries as a means for applying medication locally through a patient's skin and for delivering medicaments to the eyes and ears. The application of an electric field to the skin is known to greatly enhance the skin's permeability to various ionic agents. The use of iontophoretic transdermal delivery techniques has obviated the need for hypodermic injection for many medicaments, thereby eliminating the concomitant problems of trauma, pain and risk o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is another advantage of the present invention that the iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus employs a disposable application electrode which conducts the electrical current to the tissue through the solution in which the medicament is dissolved.

that the iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus employs a disposable application electrode which conducts the electrical current to the tissue through the solution in which the medicament is dissolved.

It is still another advantage of the present invention that the improved disposable iontophoretic medicament applicator is inexpensive, safe to use and greatly increases the therapeutic efficacy of a medicament administered thereby.

The apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a means for topically administering medicament directly and with high efficiency into a diseased tissue thereby providing a novel method for treating clinical conditions presenting mucocutaneous symptoms and particularly mucocutaneous Herpes Simplex viral eruptions and sequelle associated therewith.

Problems solved by technology

Topical treatment of lesions with Acyclovir.RTM. has not been as effective as in vitro studies would suggest.

Both of those agents have shown limited clinical efficacy when applied topically to the herpetic lesion.

It is the present inventor's contention that the limited efficacy of topical administration previously observed is, at least in part, due to the poor skin penetration of these medicaments when applied topically.

Oral Herpes (most commonly Herpes simplex I infection) as well as genital Herpes (usually Herpes Simplex II infection) afflict many people, cause discomfort, shame, and may contribute to more severe and costly illnesses such as cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and perinatal blindness from herpetic conjunctivitis.

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