Thomas A Riddle

US Patent:

55519539, Sep 3, 1996

Filed:

Oct 31, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/332322

Inventors:

Gary A. Lattin - Forest Lake MN
Thomas A. Riddle - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Alza Corporation - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61N 130
A61M 1100

US Classification:

604 20

Abstract:

An electrotransport system (20) for delivering a therapeutic agent (36) through a body surface (40) (eg, skin) of a patient includes a pair of electrodes (34, 38) for contacting the body surface, at least one of which contains the therapeutic agent (36). The system (20) is physically separated into a control unit (22) and a delivery unit (24) connected by a radiated energy signal-based telemetry link. The telemetry link may be radio frequency, ultrasonic, optical, infrared or inductively coupled. Signals from the control unit may be transmitted to the delivery unit by the telemetry link, or vice versa. The delivery unit may control electrotransport current on the signal transmitted. The radiated energy signal may be encoded to improve immunity to extrinsic interference. The delivery unit (24) may be configured with sensor means for detecting a condition such as a body or system parameter reaching some predetermined limit.