Apparatus and methods for fluid delivery using electroactive needles and implantable electrochemical delivery devices
US6591133B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/30
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention includes apparatus and methods for electrotransport of a drug or other beneficial agent through a skin or mucosal membrane surface. In one embodiment, at least one of the cathode or anode electrode of an electrochemical cell is configured, at least in part, as an electroactive needle for insertion all or part way through the stratum corneum of a patient's skin. A reservoir containing a beneficial agent may be provided in fluid communication with one or more electroactive needles, in which case the electroactive needle(s) may be configured with a hollow bore interior for transport of the beneficial agent directly into a subject's tissues. In a related embodiment, an electroactive needle is configured for intravenous and/or intramuscular use. The invention also includes an electrotransport system comprising an electrochemically active porous substrate. In a further embodiment, the invention comprises an electrotransport system having one or more implantable active porous electrodes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.