Patent ID: 6195582
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An electrotransport device for delivering or sampling an agent through a body surface, the device including an anodic electrode assembly, a cathodic electrode assembly and a source of electrical power electrically connected to the anodic and cathodic electrode assemblies, at least one of the anodic and cathodic electrode assemblies comprising:an electrode composed at least in part of a solid phase electrochemically reactive material, the electrode having an initial electrical resistance, the electrode becoming less resistant upon exposure to electric current;an electrolyte reservoir containing therein the agent to be delivered or capable of receiving the agent to be sampled, said reservoir when in use positioned in ion-transmitting relation with the body surface;an electric current collector, discrete from the electrode, having an electrical resistance less than the electrical resistance of the electrode, the current collector conducting electric current between the power source and the electrode;wherein at a time when the device begins applying electrotransport current, the electrode, the current collector and the electrolyte reservoir form a common boundary.