System and method for biphasic transdermal iontophreotic delivery of therapeutic agents

摘要

Various embodiments provide methods and systems for the biphasic iontophoretic transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents. An embodiment of a method for such delivery comprises positioning at least one electrode assembly in electrical communication with a patient's skin. The assembly includes a solution comprising a therapeutic agent which passively diffuses into the skin. A dose of agent is delivered from the assembly into the skin during a first period using a first current having a characteristic e.g., polarity and magnitude, to repel the agent out of the assembly. During a second period, a second current having a characteristic to attract the agent is used to retain the agent in the assembly such that delivery of agent into skin is minimized. A dose of agent may be delivered on demand by an input from the patient. Embodiments may be used for delivery of agents which cause adverse effects from unwanted passive diffusion.

主权项

1. A method for transdermal delivery of a therapeutic agent to a patient by iontophoresis, the method comprising:
positioning at least one electrode assembly in electrical communication with the skin of the patient, the at least one electrode assembly including a skin contacting layer and a solution comprising the therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent passively diffuses into the skin without application of an external force; delivering a dose of therapeutic agent from the at least one electrode assembly into the skin during a first period using a first current having a polarity and magnitude to repel the therapeutic agent out of the electrode assembly; retaining the therapeutic agent in the at least one electrode assembly during a second period using a second current having a polarity and magnitude to retain the therapeutic agent in the electrode assembly such that delivery of the therapeutic agent into the skin during the second period is minimized, wherein the first period comprises a delivery period and the second period comprises a non-delivery period, which together comprise a delivery cycle; and delivering subsequent doses of therapeutic agent over subsequent delivery cycles.