Weak current generating human application component

Abstract

To provide a weak current generating human application component capable of conveniently and efficiently transmitting a transdermal drug to a user's skin.SOLUTION: After a user pours an appropriate amount of water on a fiber layer 10 and allows water to permeate, when a thermoplastic resin soft film 40 is stuck to a skin 70, the fiber layer 10 containing a transdermal drug is directly used for the skin 70. Subsequently, the water supplied to the fiber layer 10 flows between a positive electrode 20 and a negative electrode 30 via multiple holes 21 formed in the positive electrode 20 and a polymer membrane 50, and when the water acting as an electrolyte in this way permeates between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 30, a weak current is generated by a potential difference formed when reduction-oxidation reactions occur in the two electrodes 20 and 30 respectively. The generated weak current ionizes the transdermal drug, and then transmits the ionized transdermal drug to the inside of the skin 70 of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a weak current generating human application component that passes a weak current (microcurrent) through the skin of a user, for example, a weak current generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery (a weak current generating patch for transdermal drug delivery) that enables transdermal drugs to be efficiently delivered to the user's skin by allowing the weak current to pass more easily through the electrical barrier layer of the user's skin. [Background technology]

[0002] Transdermal drug delivery patches are film-type patches containing drugs that are applied to the skin and act as a drug delivery agent, allowing the drug to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the skin. Initially used to deliver scopolamine, they have since been used to deliver a variety of drug substances, including nicotine, estrogen, oral contraceptives, and antidepressants.

[0003] Methods such as iontophoresis, sonophoresis, and MTS (Microneedle Therapy System) are used for transdermal drug absorption. Among these, iontophoresis ionizes drugs by generating a weak current of less than 1 mA, and delivers the drug into the skin using electrical repulsion. Conventional transdermal drug delivery patches using iontophoresis require a power supply device containing a circuit to generate the weak current, as well as a connection wire to the transdermal drug delivery patch, making them difficult to carry.

[0004] Prior art related to human application components for drug delivery includes, for example, the "Transdermal Drug Delivery Patch, Transdermal Drug Delivery System, and Method for Monitoring Drug Dosage" described in Patent Document 1 below. This device includes a drug injection button, a first chamber for storing a drug, a microneedle array facing the skin, a microneedle button that brings the first chamber into contact with the skin, a second chamber for providing the drug to the skin, and a fluid channel that connects the first and second chambers and provides the drug from the first chamber to the second chamber. When the microneedle button of the second chamber is pressed, the microneedle array comes into contact with the skin, forming microneedle holes in the skin, through which the drug in the second chamber is delivered into the body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent No. 10-1891465 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the above-mentioned background art has a complicated structure, and a simpler device is desired. Furthermore, even in the case of passing a weak current through the skin without performing transdermal drug delivery, complicated and expensive devices are commercially available, but a device that can be easily used is desired. The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a weak current generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery that can deliver transdermal drugs to the user's skin more simply and efficiently, without the complex structure of the background art. Another object is to provide a weak current generating human application component that can easily deliver a weak current to the skin without transdermal drug delivery. The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, the human application component for generating a weak current for transdermal drug delivery according to the present invention comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode, each of which is laminated on the upper end of a fiber layer containing a transdermal drug and in direct contact with the user's skin to generate a weak current; a polymer film laminated between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to prevent short-circuiting between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a soft thermoplastic resin film laminated on top of the negative electrode, wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode are laminated one above the other to generate a weak current in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin.

[0008] In one of the main embodiments, the positive electrode has a large number of holes formed therein to facilitate the supply of electrolyte. In another embodiment, the flexible thermoplastic resin film is made of a transparent or translucent material, the negative electrode is made of aluminum, and the lifespan of the negative electrode can be confirmed by visually observing it through the flexible thermoplastic resin film.

[0009] Another invention is characterized in that it includes a nonwoven fabric containing a transdermal drug and in direct contact with the user's skin, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode formed on one side and the other side of the nonwoven fabric, respectively, to generate a weak current, the nonwoven fabric being stacked between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to prevent short-circuiting between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode being stacked one above the other, and the nonwoven fabric being soaked in water to generate a weak current in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin.

[0010] Another invention is a human application component that generates a weak current without transdermal drug delivery, characterized in that an electrode particle layer is provided on one side of a nonwoven fabric, the electrode particle layer containing metal particles of a positive electrode and a negative electrode that generate a weak current, and by soaking the nonwoven fabric in water, a weak current flows between the metal particles of the positive electrode and the metal particles of the negative electrode, and is delivered to the user's skin. According to one main aspect, the other side of the nonwoven fabric is provided with an adhesive tape for pressing the electrode particle layer against the user's skin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the weak current generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery of the present invention, a negative electrode and a positive electrode are stacked one on top of the other to generate a weak current in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin, allowing the weak current to more easily pass through the electrical barrier layer of the user's skin, thereby enabling transdermal drugs to be delivered to the user's skin simply and efficiently.

[0012] The human-applied component for generating weak current for transdermal drug delivery according to the present invention is used by filling the space between the positive and negative electrodes with water, an environmentally friendly electrolyte, which is harmless to the human body and reduces user discomfort. That is, while most electrolytes used in batteries that utilize electrolytic reactions are acidic, the present invention does not use such acidic electrolytes, but instead uses water, which is harmless to the human body, making it safe and harmless to the human body.

[0013] In addition, by stacking the negative electrode and the positive electrode one above the other, a weak current is generated in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin, allowing the weak current to pass more easily through the skin's electrical barrier layer, thereby effectively delivering transdermal drugs into the skin.

[0014] In addition, by stacking the negative and positive electrodes vertically and forming a large number of holes in the positive electrode, water acting as an electrolyte can easily permeate between the positive and negative electrodes, which has the effect of continuously generating a current of 200 to 300 μA / cm required for iontophoresis without a power supply such as a battery.

[0015] Furthermore, by forming the thermoplastic resin flexible film from a transparent or translucent material, the aluminum negative electrode laminated on the inside can be seen, which has the effect of allowing the user to visually check the lifespan of the patch by observing with the naked eye how the aluminum oxidizes and reacts with water to become aluminum hydroxide, gradually losing its color. According to another invention of a weak current generating human application part that does not involve transdermal drug delivery, an electrode particle layer containing metal particles of a positive electrode and metal particles of a negative electrode that generate a weak current is provided on one side of a nonwoven fabric, and by soaking the nonwoven fabric in water, a weak current is caused to flow between the metal particles of the positive electrode and the metal particles of the negative electrode, making it possible to easily deliver a weak current to the user's skin.

[0016] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a weak current generating component for human application for transdermal drug delivery according to Example 1 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the stacking configuration of each component in the example. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram comparing the example with a comparative example. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a weak current generating component for human application for transdermal drug delivery according to Example 2 of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a weak current generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a main cross-sectional view of a weak current generating human application component without transdermal drug delivery according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, the weak current generating patch for transdermal drug delivery or the weak current generating patch without transdermal drug delivery according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but already known technical aspects will be omitted or simplified for the sake of brevity. [Example]

[0019] First, Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a weak current-generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagram showing the layered configuration of each component of a weak current-generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery according to a preferred embodiment of this example, Figure 3 is a diagram comparing the weak current-generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery according to a preferred embodiment of this example with a comparative example, and Figure 4 is a plan view of the weak current-generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery according to a preferred embodiment of this example.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the human application component for generating a weak current for transdermal drug delivery according to a preferred embodiment of this embodiment is formed in the form of a patch in which a fiber layer 10, a positive electrode 20, a polymer membrane 50, a negative electrode 30, and a soft thermoplastic resin film 40 are sequentially stacked in the vertical direction of the figure.

[0021] The fiber layer 10 is the portion that comes into direct contact with the user's skin 70 and contains a transdermal drug to be supplied into the user's skin 70. The user can inject water, which acts as an electrolyte, into the fiber layer 10 before attaching the patch to the skin 70. The fiber layer 10 is preferably made of polyurethane, nylon-based synthetic fiber, or nonwoven fabric that can absorb moisture, but is not limited to these.

[0022] The positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 30 generate a weak current due to the potential difference generated by the oxidation-reduction reaction, thereby ionizing the transdermal drug, and then transmitting the ionized transdermal drug into the user's skin 70. An insulating polymer membrane 50 is located between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 30. The polymer membrane 50 is insulating while allowing water, which acts as an electrolyte, and electrons to pass through, preventing a short circuit between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 30.

[0023] Additionally, the positive electrode 20 has a number of holes 21 formed therein to allow water (electrolyte) injected into the fiber layer 10 by the user to easily permeate between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 30. This facilitates the supply of electrolyte between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 30, thereby enabling a continuous generation of a current of 200 to 300 μA / cm, which is necessary for iontophoresis, even without a power supply such as a battery. Therefore, the positive electrode 20 is preferably formed from, but is not limited to, copper, silver, platinum, gold, or a combination or mixture of two types of metals containing silver and copper. Furthermore, the positive electrode 20 is preferably formed smaller than the fiber layer 10, the negative electrode 30, and the polymer membrane 50 to more efficiently transmit the generated weak current into the skin 70, but is not limited thereto, and the size of each component may vary as needed.

[0024] The negative electrode 30 is preferably formed of a compound or mixture containing silicate containing aluminum, magnesium, potassium, calcium, or sodium, but is not limited thereto. To solve the problem of aluminum oxide coating preventing oxidation, it is preferable to use aluminum whose surface has been oxidized by anodic oxidation (idizing). A thermoplastic resin soft film 40 is laminated on the upper end of the negative electrode 30 to protect the positive and negative electrodes 20 and 30 and secure them to the patch user's skin 70. This thermoplastic resin soft film 40 serves to prevent the evaporation of water, which serves as an electrolyte, thereby enabling the generation of a weak current for a long period of time. The thermoplastic resin soft film 40 is preferably formed of a transparent or translucent polyurethane or urethane to allow the negative electrode 30 laminated underneath to be visually confirmed, but is not limited thereto.

[0025] As described above, the weak current generating patch for transdermal drug delivery according to this embodiment has the negative electrode 30 and the positive electrode 20 stacked one above the other to generate a weak current in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin 70, allowing the current to more easily pass through the electrical barrier layer of the skin 70, thereby effectively delivering the transdermal drug into the skin 70.

[0026] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3(a), when two electrodes for generating a weak current in a transdermal drug delivery patch are arranged horizontally on the skin 70, the flow of the weak current (the thick solid line in the figure indicates the flow of the weak current, and the dotted line indicates the minor flow) occurs horizontally, reducing the efficiency of passing through the electrical barrier layer of the skin 70, and the transdermal drug cannot be efficiently delivered into the inside of the skin 70.

[0027] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(b), the negative electrode 30 and the positive electrode 20 are stacked one above the other to generate a weak current in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin, allowing the weak current to easily pass through the electrical barrier layer of the skin 70, thereby effectively transmitting the transdermal drug into the skin 70.

[0028] To explain the usage process and effects of this embodiment in more detail, first, the user pours an appropriate amount of water onto the fiber layer 10 to allow it to soak in, and then applies the thermoplastic resin soft film 40 to the skin 70, so that the fiber layer 10 containing the transdermal drug comes into direct contact with the skin 70. Next, the water supplied to the fiber layer 10 flows between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 30 through the numerous pores 21 formed in the positive electrode 20 and the polymer membrane 50. When the water acting as an electrolyte soaks between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 30, a weak current is generated due to the potential difference that occurs when a reduction-oxidation reaction occurs at the two electrodes 20 and 30.

[0029] The generated weak current ionizes the transdermal drug, and then the ionized transdermal drug is delivered into the user's skin 70. In this embodiment, the negative electrode 30 and the positive electrode 20 are stacked one above the other to generate weak radio waves in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin 70, allowing the weak current to more easily pass through the electrical barrier layer of the skin 70, thereby effectively delivering the transdermal drug into the skin 70.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the thermoplastic resin soft film 40 is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, allowing the user to visually confirm the aluminum negative electrode 30 laminated inside. The aluminum negative electrode 30 gradually loses its characteristic aluminum color as it oxidizes and reacts with water to become aluminum hydroxide. Therefore, the user can visually confirm that the color of the aluminum negative electrode 30 has disappeared, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), and thus can visually determine the lifespan of the patch. [Example]

[0031] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a human application component generating a weak current for transdermal drug delivery according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed in the shape of a patch, with a plurality of negative electrodes 30 and a plurality of positive electrodes 20 formed on one side and the other side of a nonwoven fabric 60 that is attached to the user's skin. The multiple-hole negative electrodes 30 and positive electrodes 20 are formed at corresponding positions, and are formed in a stacked form with the nonwoven fabric 60 sandwiched between them.

[0032] The nonwoven fabric 60 also contains a transdermal drug to be delivered into the user's skin 70, and the user injects water, which acts as an electrolyte, into the nonwoven fabric 60 before attaching the patch to the skin 70. The nonwoven fabric 60 is insulating while allowing water, which acts as an electrolyte, and electrons to pass through, and therefore prevents short-circuiting between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 30.

[0033] In the patch configured as described above, the user soaks the nonwoven fabric 60 in an appropriate amount of water and applies it to the skin 70, bringing the nonwoven fabric 60 containing the transdermal drug into direct contact with the skin 70. The water supplied to the nonwoven fabric 60 then acts as an electrolyte, and a weak current is generated by the potential difference that occurs when a reduction-oxidation reaction occurs at the positive and negative electrodes 20 and 30. The generated weak current ionizes the transdermal drug and then delivers the ionized transdermal drug into the user's skin 70. In this case, the patch of the present invention has the negative electrode 30 and the positive electrode 20 stacked one above the other to generate a weak current in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin 70, allowing the weak current to more easily pass through the electrical barrier layer of the skin 70, thereby effectively delivering the transdermal drug into the skin 70.

[0034] The human application components for generating weak currents for transdermal drug delivery according to Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention are used by filling the space between the positive and negative electrodes with water, an environmentally friendly electrolyte, which is harmless to the human body and reduces user discomfort. While most batteries that utilize electrolytic reactions use acidic electrolytes, the present invention does not use such acidic electrolytes, but instead uses water, which is harmless to the human body, making it safe and harmless to the human body.

[0035] In addition, by stacking the negative electrode and the positive electrode one above the other, a weak current is generated in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin, allowing the weak current to more easily pass through the skin's electrical barrier layer, thereby effectively delivering transdermal drugs into the skin.

[0036] Furthermore, by vertically stacking the negative and positive electrodes and forming a large number of holes in the positive electrode, water, which acts as an electrolyte, can easily permeate between the positive and negative electrodes. This has the effect of enabling the continuous generation of a current of 200 to 300 μA / cm, which is necessary for iontophoresis, even without a power supply such as a battery.

[0037] In addition, by forming the thermoplastic resin soft film from a transparent or translucent material so that the aluminum negative electrode laminated on the inside can be seen, the aluminum oxidizes and reacts with water to become aluminum hydroxide, and the color gradually disappears, which can be confirmed with the naked eye, making it possible to visually check the lifespan of the patch. [Example]

[0038] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. This embodiment is an example of a weak current generating human application component that does not involve transdermal drug delivery. As shown in the main cross section of FIG. 7(a), the weak current generating human application component 100 of this embodiment is configured such that an electrode particle layer 104 is provided on one side of a nonwoven fabric 102, and an adhesive tape 106 is laminated on the other side of the nonwoven fabric 102. Of these, the nonwoven fabric 102 is soaked in water during use. The electrode particle layer 104 is configured such that metal particles corresponding to the positive electrode and metal particles corresponding to the negative electrode are mixed and supported in the gaps between the fibers of the nonwoven fabric 102. A release sheet 110 is provided on the electrode particle layer 104 side of the nonwoven fabric 102.

[0039] Figure 1(b) shows the state during use: the release sheet 110 is peeled off, water is poured into the nonwoven fabric 102, and then the nonwoven fabric 102 is attached to the skin 70 with adhesive tape 106 so that the electrode particle layer 104 side of the nonwoven fabric 102 is in contact with the skin 70. This causes a weak current to flow between the positive electrode particles and negative electrode particles in the electrode particle layer 104, and the current is transmitted to the user's skin 70.

[0040] Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are also included. (1) The materials of the above-described parts may be appropriately changed so as to have the same functions. For example, although nonwoven fabrics are used in the above examples, materials having the same functions may be used, and these are also included in the nonwoven fabrics of the present invention. (2) In the first embodiment, the holes are formed in the positive electrode, but the positive and negative electrodes may be arranged in reverse, in which case the holes are formed in the negative electrode. (3) The shapes shown in the above examples are also examples, and shapes other than circular may be used. (4) In addition, as explained above, the present invention has been specifically described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since the above-mentioned embodiments are merely preferred examples of the present invention, the present invention should not be understood as being limited to the above-mentioned examples. The scope of the present invention should be understood as the following claims and their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] According to the weak current generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery of the present invention, a negative electrode and a positive electrode are stacked one above the other to generate a weak current in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin, allowing for simple and efficient transdermal drug delivery to the user's skin, making it suitable as a weak current generating patch for transdermal drug delivery. According to the weak current generating human application component of another invention that does not involve transdermal drug delivery, a weak current is passed between the metal particles of the positive electrode and the metal particles of the negative electrode, allowing for simple delivery of a weak current to the user's skin, making it suitable as a weak current generating patch. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10: Fiber layer 20: Positive electrode 21: Hole 30: Negative electrode 40: Thermoplastic resin soft film 50: Polymer membrane 60: Nonwoven fabric 70:Skin 100: Weak current generating component for human application 102: Nonwoven fabric 104: Electrode grain layer 106: Adhesive tape 110: Peel-off sheet

Claims

1. a nonwoven fabric containing a transdermal drug and in direct contact with the user's skin; a positive electrode and a negative electrode formed on one side and the other side of the nonwoven fabric, respectively, to generate a weak current; Including, the nonwoven fabric is laminated between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and prevents short-circuiting between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; A weak current generating human application component for transdermal drug delivery, characterized in that the positive electrode and negative electrode are stacked one above the other, and by soaking the nonwoven fabric in water, a weak current is generated in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin.

2. An electrode particle layer is provided on one surface of the nonwoven fabric, The electrode particle layer includes positive electrode metal particles and negative electrode metal particles that generate a weak current, A weak current generating human application component characterized by passing a weak current between the metal particles of the positive electrode and the metal particles of the negative electrode by soaking the nonwoven fabric in water, and transmitting the current to the user's skin.

3. 3. The weak current generating device for human application according to claim 2, wherein an adhesive tape is provided on the other surface of said nonwoven fabric for pressing said electrode particle layer against the skin of a user.

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