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Abstract

An iontophoretic method is provided to selectively transport a compound of interest through a localized region of an individual's body tissue that exhibits a low electrical resistance and/or a high permeability. The method involves placing a permselective material, typically having a resistance comparable or higher than the resistance of the localized region, in ion-conducting relation to the localized region. An electrical current is then applied through the permselective material to the localized region, thereby transporting the compound of interest iontophoretically through the localized region. When the permselective material is capable of hindering iontophoretic transport of a competing ion, the transference efficiency of the compound of interest is increased during iontophoresis. As a result, the compound of interest is delivered into or extracted from the localized region at an enhanced rate. As transport efficiencies approach unity, absolute predictivity of transport also becomes possible. Also provided are electrode assemblies and iontophoretic systems capable of carrying out the iontophoretic method.

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