Claims for Patent: 6,317,629

Summary for Patent: 6,317,629

Title:	Iontophoretic drug delivery apparatus
Abstract:	An iontophoretic delivery device (10) is provided. Device (10) has an electronic circuit (32) having electronic components such as batteries (30) mounted thereon. Device (10) also includes a pair of electrode assemblies (18, 19). The electronic circuit (32) is electrically connected to the electrode assemblies (18, 19) using an electrically conductive adhesive (34). The adhesive can also be used to electrically connect two or more electronic components within circuit (32) or to connect an electronic component to the electronic circuit (32). In one practice of the invention, the electrically conductive adhesive (44) functions as an electrode and electrically connects the circuit (32) to an agent-containing reservoir (24, 25). In a further practice of the invention, the electrically conductive adhesive (93) functions as an agent reservoir and contains the agent to be iontophoretically delivered.
Inventor(s):	Haak; Ronald P. (San Jose, CA), Gyory; J. Richard (San Jose, CA), Myers; Robert M. (Menlo Park, CA), Landrau; Felix A. (San Jose, CA), Sanders; Harold F. (La Jolla, CA), Kleiner; Lothar W. (Los Altos, CA), Hearney; Linda M. (Saratoga, CA)
Assignee:	Alza Corporation (Mountain View, CA)
Application Number:	08/351,381
Patent Claims:	1. An iontophoretic agent delivery device comprising a pair of electrode assemblies, a least one of said electrode assemblies having a donor electrode and a reservoir for containing the agent to be iontophoretically delivered, said reservoir being adapters to be placed in agent transmitting relation with a body surface through which said agent is to be delivered, an electronic circuit having a plurality of electronic components including a source of electrical energy, and having a circuit output which is electrically connected to said reservoir, said electronic circuit being capable of controlling the electric current applied by the device, said device having an electrically conductive pressure sensitive adhesive wherein the adhesive is conducting in all directions, the adhesive being in direct physical and electrical contact with said circuit output and the adhesive also being in electrical contact with at least one member selected from the group consisting of an electrode assembly, an electrode and a reservoir, said adhesive comprising at least a portion of the electrical connection between the circuit output and the reservoir. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the adhesive contains an electrochemically reactive species. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the adhesive comprises (i) an anodic electrode and the electrochemically reactive species is capable of undergoing electrochemical oxidation; and/or (ii) a cathodic electrode and the electrochemically reactive species is capable of undergoing electrochemical reduction. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is flexible. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the adhesive is in the form of a flexible film or sheet. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises an adhesive matrix containing a conductive filler. 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the adhesive matrix comprises low molecular weight polyisobutylene and high molecular weight polyisobutylene in a volume ratio of about 6:1 to about 2:1. 8. The device of claim 6, wherein the conductive filler is selected from the group consisting of: a conductive particulate material, a conductive fibrous material, a conductive web, a conductive mat, a conductive mesh, carbon particles, carbon fibers, metal particles, and metal flakes. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive has a resistivity of less than about 1.3.times.10.sup.5 ohm-cm. 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the adhesive contains an agent to be iontophoretically delivered. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said electrode assemblies is an anode and at least one of said electrode assemblies is a cathode. 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said adhesive is in the form of a film, sheet, or web and said film, sheet or web has an opening therein. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said adhesive contacts said electrodes along a peripheral edge of a surface thereof. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive contains a liquid solvent retaining additive. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the additive is a hydrophilic polymer. 16. The device of claim 14 or 15, including a liquid releasing means in fluid communication with said adhesive. 17. The device of claim 15, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is cross-linked. 18. An iontophoretic agent delivery device comprising a reservoir, for containing the agent to be iontophoretically delivered, said reservoir being adapted to be placed in agent transmitting relation with a body surface through which said agent is to be delivered, an electronic circuit having a plurality of electronic components including a source of electrical energy, and having a circuit output which is electrically connected to said reservoir said electronic circuit being capable of controlling the level of electric current applied by the device, said device being characterized by an electrically conductive adhesive in direct electrical contact with said circuit output said adhesive comprising at least a portion of the electrical connection of the circuit output to the reservoir, including an anode and a cathode, and said outputs being connected to said anode and said cathode by said adhesive, said adhesive comprising a flexible, electrically conductive adhesive which adheres to said circuit outputs and said electrodes, in at least a portion thereof, to connect said circuit outputs and said electrodes, wherein said adhesive is in the form of a film, sheet or web, said film, sheet or web having an opening therein, and wherein a wicking material is positioned in the opening. 19. The device of claim 18, including a liquid releasing means in fluid communication with said wicking material. 20. An iontophoretic agent delivery device comprising a pair of electrode assemblies, a least one of said electrode assemblies having a donor electrode and a reservoir for containing the agent to be iontophoretically delivered, said reservoir being adapted to be placed in agent transmitting relation with a body surface through which said agent is to be delivered, an electronic circuit having a plurality of electronic components including a source of electrical energy, and having a circuit output which is electrically connected to said reservoir, said electronic circuit being capable of controlling the electric current applied by the device, said device having an electrically conductive pressure sensitive adhesive wherein said adhesive is electrically conducting in all directions, in direct physical and electrical contact with said circuit output and the adhesive also being in electrical contact with at least one member selected from the group consisting of an electrode assembly, an electrode and a reservoir, said adhesive comprising at least a portion of the electrical connection between the circuit output and the reservoir wherein said adhesive has a resistivity of less than about 1.5.times.10.sup.5 ohm-cm. 21. An iontophoretic agent delivery device comprising a pair of electrode assemblies, a least one of said electrode assemblies having a donor electrode and a reservoir for containing the agent to be iontophoretically delivered, said reservoir being adapted to be placed in agent transmitting relation with a body surface through which said agent is to be delivered, an electronic circuit having a plurality of electronic components including a source of electrical energy, and having a circuit output which is electrically connected to said reservoir, said electronic circuit being capable of controlling the electric current applied by the device, said device having an electrically conductive pressure sensitive adhesive wherein said adhesive is electrically conductive in all directions, in direct physical and electrical contact with said circuit output and the adhesive also being in electrical contact with at least one member selected from the group consisting of an electrode assembly, an electrode and a reservoir, said adhesive comprising at least a portion of the electrical connection between the circuit output and the reservoir wherein said adhesive comprises a carbon conductive filler. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the conductive filler has an iodine absorption number greater than 750 mg/g. 23. The device of claim 21, wherein the conductive filler has an iodine absorption number greater than 1000 mg/g. 24. The device of claim 21, wherein the conductive filler comprises 5 percent by volume or less.