Electrokinetic delivery of medicaments

Abstract

An electrokinetic delivery or diagnostic device for personal use and self-administration of a medicament to a treatment site is provided. The device includes a housing containing a power supply, a first active electrode and a ground tactile electrode. An applicator includes a pad for containing medicament for overlying the first electrode of the device. The medicament may be applied by the user to the pad, contained within the pad or contained in rupturable capsules within the pad, together with a hydrogel if necessary for imparting electrical conductivity whereby, upon application of the applicator to the treatment site, the medicament is electrokinetically transported into the treatment site. In another form, the applicator is self-contained, having a power supply, a first electrode overlying a pad and a ground electrode from the opposite side from the pad whereby the individual presses the pad against the treatment site to complete the electrical circuit and electrokinetically drive the medicament into the treatment site.

1 - 147 . (canceled)  
     
     
         148 . A cartridge for use with a device for electrokinetically delivering a medicament to a treatment site comprising: 
 an applicator having opposite faces respectively and including an active electrode, a reservoir and a porous membrane;    a medicament or a medicament and an electrically conductive carrier therefor in said reservoir, said reservoir being closed on one side thereof by said electrode; and    at least one element carried by said applicator for connecting the applicator and the device to one another.    
     
     
         149 . A cartridge according to  claim 148 , including a pair of elements carried by the applicator spaced from one another for connecting the applicator and the device to one another.  
     
     
         150 . A cartridge according to  claim 148 , including a closure member overlying the porous membrane closing the applicator along one of said faces thereof.  
     
     
         151 . A cartridge according to  claim 150 , wherein the applicator has a rim about a periphery thereof, said closure member being secured to said rim and overlying said porous membrane.  
     
     
         152 . An applicator according to  claim 151 , wherein said closure member comprises a metallic foil.  
     
     
         153 . A cartridge according to  claim 152 , including a tab on said foil to facilitate removal of the foil from the substrate.  
     
     
         154 . A cartridge according to  claim 148 , wherein the applicator includes an annular housing.  
     
     
         155 . A cartridge according to  claim 148 , wherein said active electrode is exposed through one side of said applicator.