Electrokinetic system and method for delivering methotrexate

A system for delivering methotrexate to a treatment site underlying an electrically resistant layer of an individual's skin, comprising:

• a sheet of discrete applicators selectively separable from one another enabling one or more of the applicators to overlie the treatment site and the electrically resistant skin layer, each said applicator having a plurality of needles projecting from one side thereof for penetrating the electrically resistant layer of the individual's skin;
• a matrix carried by each said applicator for containing the methotrexate or the methotrexate and an electrical carrier thereof;
• a first electrode carried by each applicator for electrical connection with a power source;
• whereby, upon application of one or more of the applicators to the individual's skin overlying the treatment site and connection to the power source and a second electrode in electrical connection with the power source enabling completion of an electrical circuit through the first one or more electrodes, the methotrexate or the electrical carrier therefore of the one or more applicators, a portion of the individual's body, the second electrode and the power source, the system enables an electrical current to flow for electrokinetically driving the methotrexate or the methotrexate and the electrical carrier therefore through one or more applicators into the treatment site of the individual's skin.

A device for delivering a medicament consisting of at least one of methotrexate, oligomers and oligomeric nucleic acid, to a treatment site underlying an electrically resistant layer of skin on a mammalian patient, said device comprising:

• an array of applicators adapted to be placed over the skin and the treatment site;
• each of said applicators further comprising a medicament matrix and at least one needle projecting from the applicator to penetrate the skin;
• a plurality of first electrodes each electrically connectable to one or more applicators, wherein each first electrode is connected to at least one applicator but not all applicators, and
• a controller in electrical communication with the first electrodes, the controller separately applying electrical current to each electrode wherein the electrical current applied to one of said electrodes differs from the electrical current applied to another of said electrodes.

A device for delivering a medicament to a treatment site underlying the skin of a mammalian patient, said device comprising:

• an array of applicators adapted to be placed over the skin and the treatment site, each of said applicators having a first surface to be placed adjacent the skin and an opposite surface to engage an active electrode;
• each of said applicators further comprising a medicament matrix and at least one needle projecting from the medicament matrix, through the first surface to penetrate the skin;
• a plurality of active electrodes each electrically connectable to one or more applicators, wherein each active electrode is connected to at least one applicator but not all applicators;
• a controller in electrical communication with the first electrodes, the controller separately applying electrical current to each active electrode wherein the electrical current applied to one of said active electrodes differs from the electrical current applied to another of said active electrodes, and
• a ground electrode connectable to the patient and for establishing a electrical path for the electrical current applied to the active electrodes through the patient and to the ground electrode.

A method to deliver a medicament to a treatment site underlying skin of a patient, said method comprising:

• embedding medicament in a plurality of micro-needles;
• applying the micro-needles to penetrate the skin,
• dissolving at least a portion of the micro-needles in the skin, and
• electrokinetically driving the medicament into the treatment site.