Systems and methods for electrokinetic delivery of a substance

Abstract

A system for delivering a substance into a body at a treatment site that includes an alternating current source and a plurality of electrodes. Circuitry is connected between the alternating current source and the electrodes for supplying current to the electrodes when the electrodes are in electrical contact with said body so that a uni-directional current flow for delivering the substance into the body is maintained at the treatment site and a bi-directional current flow is maintained throughout the body. At least one of the electrodes is divided into sub-electrodes to, for example, reduce hazards associated with current concentration. These and other systems and methods are adaptable for large treatment areas and/or use a convenient and low-cost arrangement of electronics.

1 . A system for delivering a substance into a body at a treatment site, said system comprising: 
 an alternating current source;    a plurality of electrodes; and    circuitry connected between the alternating current source and the electrodes for supplying current to said electrodes when said electrodes are in electrical contact with said body so that a uni-directional current flow for delivering the substance into the body is maintained at the treatment site and a bi-directional current flow is maintained throughout the body,    wherein at least one of the electrodes is divided into sub-electrodes.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said circuitry includes current limiters respectively associated with each sub-electrode.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said current limiters comprise current diodes.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the current limiters comprise resistors.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises acyclovir and/or its pro-drugs.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises one or more substances, or their derivatives and pro-drugs selected from the group consisting of: abacavir, adefovir, amprenavir, azidothymidine, brivudin, cidofovir, delaviridine, didanosine, doxorubican, efavirenz, famciclovir, fluorouracil, gancyclovir, indinavir, larnivudine, lobucavir, methotrexate, miconazole, n-docosanol, nelfinavir, nevirapine, penciclovir, ribavirin, ritonavir, saquinavir, sorivudine, stavudine, terbinafine HCL, tacrolimus, trifluridine, valaciclovir, zalcitabine with or without a C21-C28 aliphatic alcohol.  
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises estrogen or estrogen analogues.  
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises modulator of collagen deposition.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises one or more substance selected from the group consisting of: lidocaine, xylocaine, prontocaine, prilocaine, fetanyl, remifentanil, sufentanil, alfentanil, novocaine, procaine, morphine HCL and EMLA.  
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: ketorolac, benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin phosphate (cleocin), erythromycin, tazarotene, adapalene, and azelaic acid.  
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises one or more substances from the group consisting of: imiquimod, acyclovir, sodium salicylate, salicylic acid, tretinion, benzoyl peroxide, bleomycin, interferons, and Podocon-25.  
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said alternating current source has a frequency of about 100 kilohertz.  
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said alternating current source has a frequency between about 1 kilohertz and 1 megahertz.  
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment electrode is sub-divided into a plurality of electrodes.  
     
     
         15 . A system for delivering a substance into a body at a treatment site, said system comprising: 
 a printed circuit board on which is provided processing circuitry, a counter electrode and a treatment electrode, wherein the treatment electrode and counter electrode are formed on opposite sides of the printed circuit board;    a substance in contact with the treatment electrode and adapted for electrical contact with the user's body at the treatment site;    a conductive gel in contact with the counter electrode and adapted for electrical contact with a user's finger,    wherein the system is configured as a ring.    
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the substance is one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: abacavir, adefovir, amprenavir, azidothymidine, brivudin, cidofovir, delaviridine, didanosine, doxorubican, efavirenz, famciclovir, fluorouracil, gancyclovir, indinavir, lamivudine, lobucavir, methotrexate, miconazole, morphine, n-docosanol, nelfinavir, nevirapine, penciclovir, ribavirin, ritonavir, saquinavir, sorivudine, stavudine, tacrolimus, terbinafine HCL, trifluridine, valaciclovir, zalcitabine with or without a C21-C28 aliphatic alcohol.  
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the substance comprises estrogen or estrogen analogues.  
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the substance comprises a modulator of collagen deposition.  
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the substance comprises one or more substance selected from the group consisting of: lidocaine, xylocaine, prontocaine, prilocaine, fetanyl, remifentanil, sufentanil, alfentanil, novocaine, procaine, morphine HCL and EMLA.  
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the substance comprises one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: ketorolac, benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin phosphate (cleocin), erythromycin, tazarotene, adapalene, and azelaic acid.  
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the substance comprises one or more substances from the group consisting of: imiquimod, acyclovir, sodium salicylate, salicylic acid, tretinion, benzoyl peroxide, bleomycin, interferons, and Podocon-25.  
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the processing circuitry prevents operation of the system after a predetermined number of uses of the device.  
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the processing circuitry prevents further operation of the system after a predetermined time duration corresponding to an aggregate total time usage.  
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the processing circuitry inactivates the system for a predetermined time period and reactivates the patch medicator after the predetermined time period.  
     
     
         25 . A method of treatment by electrokinetic self-administration of a substance into a treatment site of an individual, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a system comprising a printed circuit board on which is provided processing circuitry, a counter electrode and a treatment electrode, wherein the treatment electrode and counter electrode are formed on opposite sides of the printed circuit board; a substance in contact with the treatment electrode and adapted for electrical contact with the user's body at the treatment site; and a conductive gel in contact with the counter electrode and adapted for electrical contact with a user's finger;    (b) releasably retaining the system on the individual's finger, with the conductive gel in electrical contact with the individual's finger;    (c) while the system remains retained on the individual's finger, placing the substance in contact with the treatment site; and    (d) causing electrical current to flow through said treatment electrode, the substance, the treatment site, the individual's body, and said counter electrode to electrokinetically drive the substance into the treatment site    wherein the system is configured as a ring.    
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25  including applying steps (a)-(d) for treating clinical conditions caused by Herpes Simplex virus infection.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 25  including applying steps (a)-(d) for treating clinical conditions suspected to be caused by Herpes Simplex virus infection.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 25  including applying steps (a)-(d) for treating clinical conditions caused by acne.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 25  including applying steps (a)-(d) for treating clinical conditions caused by human papilloma virus.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 25  including applying steps (a)-(d) for treating skin wrinkles.  
     
     
         31 . An electrokinetic delivery system for administration of a medicament to a treatment site on an individual, comprising: 
 a device for releasable securement to an individual's finger and shaped in part to conform to at least a portion of the individual's finger;    a retainer for releasably securing the device to the individual's finger;    a self contained alternating current source carried by said device;    a plurality of electrodes carried by said device, with at least one of said electrodes being carried adjacent the tip of the individual's finger upon retention of the device on the individual's finger; and    circuitry connected between the alternating current source and the electrodes for supplying current to said electrodes when said electrodes are in electrical contact with said body and with the medicament interposed between the one electrode and the body so that a unidirectional current flow for delivering the medicament into the body is maintained through said one electrode at the treatment site and a bidirectional current flow is maintained through the body.    
     
     
         32 . A system according to  claim 31  wherein said electrodes include a counter electrode for electrical contact with the individual's finger and an auxiliary electrode for electrical contact with the individual's body adjacent the treatment site.  
     
     
         33 . A system according to  claim 32 , wherein a treatment electrode, said counter electrode and said auxiliary electrode are stacked relative to one another between the individual's finger and the treatment site during treatment.  
     
     
         34 . A system according to  claim 31  wherein said distal end portion is shaped to in part overlie a portion of the tip of the individual's finger to facilitate retention of the device on the individual's finger.  
     
     
         35 . A system according to  claim 31  wherein said device includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal and proximal end portions being separable from one another and releasably securable to one another to form a substantial unitary body along an extent of the individual's finger.  
     
     
         36 . A system according to  claim 31  wherein at least one of the electrodes is divided into sub electrodes and wherein the circuitry includes current limiters respectively associated with each said sub electrode.