| 摘要 |
A transdermal iontophoresis electrode assembly includes one or more arrays of electrodes separated by dividing members. The spacing between the electrodes and/or the size of the electrodes is adjusted for controlling depth of penetration and current density. An alternative electrode assembly includes a housing, an electrode within the housing, a membrane covering an open end of the housing, a drug to be administered disposed within the housing, and an insulating layer covering the open end of the housing. The insulating layer includes apertures for channeling current passed through the electrode. The sizes of the apertures may be adjusted for achieving a desired depth of penetration or current density. In transdermal iontophoresis methods, relational criteria relating i) AC frequency/pulse duration to nerve or muscle tissue stimulation, ii) maximum current density to skin burning, iii) ionic concentration to depth of penetration and AC frequency/pulse duration, and iv) electrode size to current density, are used to determine operational criteria for carrying out transdermal iontophoresis. In a transdermal iontophoresis system the electrical signal used to perform transdermal iontophoresis is an AC signal having a frequency of greater than 100 Hz, or an alternating signal having a pulse duration of less than 2 milliseconds. In a further transdermal iontophoresis system, the ionic concentration of the drug is varied to achieve a desired depth of penetration. |
