Importance

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for administering known quantities of medicaments by iontophoresis while avoiding burns caused by extremes in the pH of the medicament medium during passage of an electric current are disclosed. It has been found that, as iontophoresis progresses in conventional iontophoresis systems, the electrolysis of water occurs to produce hydrogen or hydroxyl ions at the interface of the electrode and medicament medium. Since these ions are highly mobile, they are transported directly into the skin of patient in preference to the larger medicament ions. Thus, extreme changes in pH are experienced which result in burns due to the acidification or alkalinization of the medicament medium and passage of electric current through the skin. The present invention also avoids the production of other competing ions by employing a reactive electrode. The electrode and the medicament are chosen such that the electrode will react with the complementary ion (the ion which forms upon the dissociation of the medicament in solution) to form an insoluble material.

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First Claim