Patent ID: 7996077

Claim:
A method for applying an iontophoretic transdermal process to a body site comprising the steps of: positioning an iontophoretic patch at a body site; attaching a removable controller to the iontophoretic patch; receiving, at the removable controller, a selection of a treatment mode from a plurality of treatment current modes; applying an electrical current to the body site with the removable controller during a first period of time, prior to applying an iontophoretic treatment, to enhance the electrical conductivity of the body site; measuring an elapsed time from a start of the first period of time, during which a decrease in an electrical conductivity characteristic of the body site occurs indicative of the response of the body site to the applied electrical current; discontinuing electrical conductivity enhancement based at least in part on the measured elapsed time; and applying the iontophoretic treatment to the body site, wherein the duration of the iontophoretic treatment is based at least in part on the electrical conductivity characteristic and wherein applying the iontophoretic treatment to the body site is automatically initiated when the controller is disconnected from the iontophoretic patch.