Electrode apparatus and method for the delivery of drugs and genes into tissue

A method of trans-surface molecular delivery, comprising:

• providing a first electrode assembly, comprising:
• a non-conductive carrier having a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a plurality of through holes from the proximal surface to the distal surface;
• a plurality of first electrodes disposed on at least a first portion of the proximal surface;
• a first conductor disposed on said distal surface and extending through at least a first portion of the plurality of through holes and connected to the plurality of first electrodes;
• and
• and a plurality of second electrodes disposed on at least a second portion of the proximal surface and in closely spaced relation with the plurality of first electrodes;
• engaging a tissue surface with the first electrode assembly;
• providing a first power supply connected to the first electrode assembly;
• applying a pulsed electric field via the first electrode assembly of sufficient amplitude to induce pores in the tissue surface;
• providing means for driving molecules through pores in the tissue surface;
• and applying means for driving to induce migration of molecules through pores in the tissue surface.

An apparatus for trans-surface molecular delivery, comprising:

• an electroporation power supply having a first contact and a second contact wherein a pulsed electric field of sufficient amplitude to induce pores in the tissue surface is applied;
• an iontophoresis power supply having a first contact and a second contact wherein a low voltage continuous electric field of a preselected polarity and sufficient amplitude to induce migration of molecules through pores in the tissue surface is applied;
• a first electrode assembly having a first contact and a second contact;
• a second electrode assembly having a first contact and a second contact;
• a first diode having an input connected to the first contact of the electroporation power supply and an output connected to the first contact of the first electrode assembly;
• a second diode having an input connected to the first contact of the electroporation power supply and an output connected to the first contact of the second electrode assembly;
• a third diode having an input connected to the second contact of the first electrode assembly and an output connected to the second contact of the electroporation power supply;
• a fourth diode having an input connected to the second contact of the second electrode assembly and an output connected to the second contact of the electroporation power supply;
• a fifth diode having an input connected to the first contact of the iontophoresis power supply and an output connected to the first contact of the first electrode assembly;
• a sixth diode having an input connected to the first contact of the iontophoresis power supply and an output connected to the second contact of the first electrode assembly;
• and
• a seventh diode having an input connected to the second contact of the second electrode assembly and an output connected to the second contact of the iontophoresis power supply.