Method and system for electrokinetic delivery of a substance

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is desirable to use a system and method for electrokinetic delivery of medicament into tissue that reduces hazards associated with introducing electrical currents into the human or animal body.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an electrokinetic system for delivering a substance into tissue includes an alternating current source of a predetermined frequency.
A first electrode is coupled to a first terminal of the alternating current source and a second electrode is coupled to a second terminal of the alternating current source.
A rectifying circuit is coupled between the first electrode and the first terminal of the alternating current source.
One of the first and second electrodes is adapted for electrical contact with a substance-delivery site.
A current rectified by the rectifying circuit flows between the first and second electrodes when the one of the first and second electrodes is in electrical contact with the substance-delivery site to effect delivery of the substance into the tissue.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electrokinetic method for delivering a substance into tissue includes providing a substance at a treatment site.
A rectified current is generated from an alternating current source and the rectified current is caused to flow through the substance to deliver the substance into the tissue.
As an example of an electrokinetic delivery mechanism, iontopheresis carried out as described above satisfies the established risk-current limit requirements and eliminates the hazard of ventricular fibrillation.
In addition, unidirectional iontopheresis like that of the DC approach can be obtained.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description provided below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.