Patent ID: 6697669
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An in vivo method for introducing a therapeutic agent into skin or muscle cells of a subject, said method comprising applying a pulsed electric field to said skin or muscle cells substantially contemporaneously with the application of said therapeutic agent to or into said skin or muscle cells, such that said therapeutic agent is introduced into said skin or muscle cells;wherein the electric field is applied through an electrode selected from the group consisting of a microneedle array electrode, a ring-shaped electrode alone or in combination with an injection needle, needle electrodes having substance-releasing sections near the needle tip and/or disposed along their length, a needle electrode comprising an injection needle and paired electrically conducting wires disposed within the hollow core of said injection needle and protruding from the tip thereof a needle electrode comprising a plurality of electrically conducting needles disposed within a depth guide, wherein said tip of said needles extends for a predetermined distance beyond said depth guide, and combinations thereof and wherein the electric pulse is of sufficient voltage and duration to cause electroporation of the skin or muscle cells.