Patent ID: 6295469
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An electrotransport delivery device for delivering an agent by electrotransport through a body surface, said device comprising:a pair of electrode assemblies, at least one of the assemblies comprising the agent to be delivered;a source of electrical power having a cell voltage and adapted to be electrically connected to said pair of electrode assemblies;a controller which regulates electrical power between the power source and the electrode assemblies, said controller comprising an electrotransport current generating circuit which provides an output current to said pair of electrode assemblies and an activation circuit capable of detecting resistance between said electrode assemblies and said activating circuit capable of controlling the output current of the current generating circuit;said current generating circuit capable of generating pulsed and non-pulsed output current and capable of providing said output current at a voltage both at or below the cell voltage and at a voltage greater than the cell voltage; andsaid activating circuit adapted to cause the current generating circuit to provide one or more pulses of output current at a voltage level greater than the cell voltage and said activating circuit adapted to detect resistance between said electrode assemblies any time during or after said pulses of output current, and when said detected resistance falls below a predetermined threshold value, said activating circuit causes the current generating circuit to generate a non-pulsed output current.