Electrodes, electrode assemblies, methods, and systems for tissue stimulation and transdermal delivery of pharmacologically active ligands
AssigneeTrustees of Boston University
InventorsWhitney R. Powers, Henry Sisun
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel electrode and electrode assembly is provided which preferably uses alternating and direct electrical energy for transdermal delivery of pharmacologically active ligands and for stimulation of tissues in-vivo. Methods and systems are also disclosed which allow a broad range of therapeutic agents to be transmitted to tissues and organs superficially or deep within the body.
Claims27
An electrode to be used with a source of energy for active transdermal delivery of a pharmacologically active ligand to a subject comprising:
- a hydrophilic, porous, polymeric matrix which supports a confluent aqueous phase and has an initial ohmic resistance not greater than 500 ohms per square inch in the absence of an electrically conductive salt solution substantially above 1.0% in concentration;
- a pharmacologically active ligand in communication with said polymeric matrix;
- and
- means for conveying energy from the energy source to said polymeric matrix.
A complete electrode for active transdermal delivery of a pharmacologically active ligand to a subject comprising;
- a source of energy;
- a hydrophilic, porous, polymeric matrix which supports a confluent and has an initial ohmic resistance not greater than 500 ohms per square inch in the absence of an electrically conductive salt solution substantially above 1.0% in concentration;
- a pharmacologically active ligand in communication with said polymeric matrix;
- and
- means for conveying said energy from said source to said polymeric matrix.
An electrode assembly for active transdermal delivery of a pharmacologically active ligand to a subject comprising:
- a source of energy;
- a plurality of electrodes, at least one of said electrodes comprising a hydrophilic, porous, polymeric matrix which supports a confluent aqueous phase and has an initial ohmic resistance not greater than 500 ohms per square inch in the absence of an electrically conductive salt solution substantially above 1.0% in concentration;
- a pharmacologically active agent in communication with said polymer matrix;
- and
- means for conveying said energy from said source to each of said electrodes.
A method for making an electrode to be used with a source of energy for active transdermal delivery of a pharmacologically active ligand to a subject comprising the steps of:
- preparing a hydrophilic, porous, polymeric matrix which supports a confluent aqueous phase and has an initial ohmic resistance not greater than 500 ohms per square inch in the absence of an electrically conductive salt solution substantially above 1.0% in concentration;
- combining said polymeric matrix with means for conveying energy from the energy source to said matrix;
- and
- placing a pharmacologically active ligand in communication with said matrix.
A method for making a complete electrode for active transdermal delivery of a pharmacologically active ligand to a subject comprising the steps of:
- preparing hydrophilic, porous polymeric matrix which supports a confluent aqueous phase and has an initial ohmic resistance not greater than 500 ohms per square inch in the absence of an electrically conductive salt solution substantially above 1.0% in concentration;
- placing a pharmacologically active ligand in communication with said polymeric matrix;
- and
- joining said polymeric matrix to a source of energy whereby energy from said source is conveyed to said matrix.
A method for active transdermal delivery of a pharmacologically active ligand to a subject comprising the steps of:
- preparing a plurality of electrodes, each comprising a source of energy, a polymeric matrix, and means for conveying energy from said source to said polymeric matrix, at least one of said matrices being hydrophilic and porous, supporting a confluent aqueous phase, and having an initial ohmic resistance not greater than 500 ohms per square inch in the absence of an electrically conductive salt solution substantially above 1.0% in concentration;
- placing a pharmacologically active ligand in communication with one of said polymeric matrices;
- placing said electrodes onto the tissue of the subject;
- and
- conveying energy from said source to each of said electrodes.
A system for active transdermal delivery of a pharmacologically active ligand to a subject comprising:
- a pharmacologically active ligand in communication with a polymeric matrix, said matrix comprising a hydrophilic, porous polymer supporting a confluent aqueous phase and having an initial ohmic resistance not greater than 500 ohms per square inch in the absence of an electrically conductive salt solution substantially above 1.0% in concentration;
- an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of active electrodes in which at least one of said electrodes comprises said polymeric matrix and pharmacologically active ligand in combination, a source of energy, and means for conveying said energy from said source to said polymeric matrix;
- means for positioning said electrode assembly on the tissue of the subject;
- and
- means for controlling the conveyance of energy from said source to said polymeric matrix.
A system for active transdermal delivery of a pharmacologically active ligand to a subject comprising:
- the steps of:
- a pharmacologically active ligand in contact with a polymeric matrix, said matrix comprising a hydrophilic, porous polymer supporting a confluent aqueous phase and having an initial ohmic resistance not greater than 500 ohms per square inch in the absence of an electrically conductive salt solution substantially above 1.0% in concentration;
- an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes in which at least one of said electrodes comprises said polymeric matrix and said pharmacologically active ligand in combination, a source of galvanic electrical energy, and means for conveying said galvanic electrical energy from said source to said matrix;
- means for positioning said electrode assembly on the tissue of the subject;
- and
- means for controlling the conveyance of said galvanic electrical energy from said source to said polymeric matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.