Method for increasing the battery life of an alternating current iontophoresis device using a barrier-modifying agent

An alternating current iontophoresis device for extracting an analyte from a patient's body beneath a localized region of body tissue, comprising:

• a) a first electrode assembly adapted to receive an analyte and be placed in ion-conducting and analyte-receiving relation with respect to the localized region of body tissue, the assembly comprising a reservoir for collecting and containing an analyte extracted from the patient's body beneath the localized region;
• b) a second electrode assembly adapted to be placed in ion-transmitting relation with the body tissue at a location spaced apart from the first electrode assembly;
• and
• c) an alternating current source electrically connected to the first and second electrode assemblies, for applying an alternating current to the localized region of body tissue at a level sufficient to achieve and maintain a target electrical resistance within the tissue,
• wherein at least one of the first and second electrode assemblies further comprises a barrier-modifying agent for delivery to the localized region of the body tissue, said agent effective to reduce the voltage required to achieve and maintain said target electrical resistance.

An alternating current iontophoresis device for delivering a pharmacologically active agent to a patient through a localized region of the patient's body surface, comprising:

• a) a first electrode assembly adapted to be placed in ion-conducting and compound-delivering relation with the localized region of the body surface and comprising a reservoir housing a pharmacologically active agent to be transported into and through the body surface;
• and
• b) a second electrode assembly adapted to be placed in ion-transmitting relation with the body surface at a location spaced apart from the first electrode assembly;
• and
• c) an alternating current source electrically connected to the first and second electrode assemblies, for applying an alternating current to the localized region of body tissue at a level sufficient to achieve and maintain a target electrical resistance within the localized region,
• wherein at least one of the first and second electrode assemblies further comprises a barrier-modifying agent for delivery to the localized region of the body tissue, said agent effective to reduce the voltage necessary to achieve and maintain a target electrical resistance within the localized region.