JP2542792C - - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to iontophoretic devices for delivering medicaments or drugs to a patient transdermally or through the skin, and more particularly to a user operable device. The present invention relates to an iontophoresis device and method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, transdermal drug delivery devices have become increasingly important as a means for administering drugs. Such a device offers a number of advantages that cannot be clearly achieved with other modes of administration, such as, for example, avoiding the introduction of the medicament through the gastrointestinal tract or skin punctures. Currently, there are two types of drug delivery devices, "passive" and "active" devices. Passive devices are a method of delivering medication through the skin of a user without assistance, examples of which provide localized relief as disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,814,095 (Lubens). In this case, local anesthesia is performed. On the other hand, an active device is a method of supplying a medicine through a user's skin using an iontophoresis method, and the iontophoresis method is described in Stedman's Medical Dictionary (Stedman's Medical Dictionary).
According to nary), "introduce selected medicinal ions into tissue by electric current."
It is defined as U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,263 (Spevak et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,408 (Haaket al.), And U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,008 (Phipps) referred to herein.
A conventional iontophoretic device for transdermally delivering a drug or drug by an iontophoretic method, as described in, is basically composed of two electrodes: an anode (anode) and a cathode (cathode). Normally, current is passed from an external power supply to the skin, which is the anode, and the current returns to the cathode. Accordingly, there has been great interest in iontophoretic methods for delivering pharmaceuticals for various purposes. Two such examples include the use of novocaine, which is usually injected before dental work to reduce pain, and the use of lidocaine, which is usually supplied as a local anesthetic. However, the use of such devices has been associated with several drawbacks and limitations, such as storage stability as a result of the medicament not being in a stable form suitable for providing a commercially useful shelf life. With prolonged storage, therapeutic agents may degrade and lose efficacy. Also, such devices do not provide an effective dosage, which results in poor performance and requires large quantities of medication to be discarded once administration is complete.
Accordingly, such devices have generally not been practical for use on an outpatient basis or in a doctor's office. The reason is that such products do not have sufficient shelf life and neither the patient nor the healthcare professional wants to wait for the required time to achieve the desired effect. . Some of the passive type devices of the prior art are described in US Pat. No. 4,911,707 (Heib
er et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,676 (Heiber et al.), by using a "breakable" member to sequester or separate the drug, one such restriction, namely: Attempts have been made to eliminate or minimize the shelf life problem. However, limitations remain regarding the use of such devices, particularly the problems before "breaking" the member. Upon such a break, the medicament is mixed with the activating solution, limiting the efficiency of administration of the device. Another attempt to solve the above-mentioned problem is to add the medicament to the device prior to use by injecting the medicament into the chamber, as disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,722,726 (Sanders on et al.). That is. However, such devices remain problematic in use, particularly when infusing medication. It is difficult to use such a device during such an injection, especially for persons with disabilities or any impairment or restriction. Also, such devices do not provide an effective dose as a result of the presence of competing ions. Attempts to provide a device for efficient dosing have employed a two-compartment structure, as described in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. Separated from solution. However, such devices have not addressed the need for long term stability and shelf life to prevent pharmaceutical degradation. Also, slow transport and equilibrium between the compartments may dilute the drug formulation, thereby reducing the efficiency of dosing of the device. Accordingly, a need has arisen for a user-actuated iontophoretic device that overcomes the problems and limitations associated with the prior art devices described above, where device storage, i.e., shelf life and dosing efficiency, are of paramount concern. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In contrast to the prior art devices described above, according to the present invention, an iontophoretic device that is particularly suitable for use in delivering high efficiency doses and that provides a commercially suitable shelf life. Can be configured. The device of the present invention can be easily operated by a user to administer a medicine. Such users include patients, doctors,
It can include nurses and the like. The user-operated device of the present invention for delivering at least one medication to a patient mounting area, such as skin, mucous membrane, etc., comprises an electrode assembly for placing medication absorbed by a patient's body into the patient mounting area. Means, a first reservoir provided in association with the electrode assembly means, a second reservoir for holding a medicament to be delivered to a patient mounting area, and the electrode assembly means, the first reservoir and the second reservoir. Holding means for holding the reservoir. Holding means for holding both the electrode assembly means and the first reservoir, and first means for holding the electrode assembly means in an electrically connected state with the first reservoir; Prior to operation, holding said second reservoir separate from said first reservoir;
Thereby, a second means for preventing deterioration and dilution of the medicine contained in the second reservoir is provided, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir come into contact with each other when activated. , At least partially hydrating one of the reservoirs, thus increasing the dosing efficiency of the device and allowing, after actuation, a conductive contact between the first and second reservoirs. I do. The medicament held in the second reservoir is kept dry before actuation. Also, the first reservoir can include a second medicament delivered to the patient's attachment area. In a preferred embodiment, the first means and the second means are hingedly connected to each other along the bendable member, thus folding the holding means along the bendable member, whereby The device can be operated by bringing the first reservoir and the second reservoir into conductive contact with each other. In another embodiment, the device also comprises barrier means for separating the first reservoir from the second reservoir, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir are operated by operating the barrier means. The two reservoirs can be in conductive contact with each other. In this embodiment, the barrier means is provided with an upper release surface, a lower release surface, and a pull tab extending from the retaining means, and
The device can be activated by pulling on the tab to remove the barrier means from the device. A method of iontophoretically delivering at least one medicament through a patient attachment area, such as skin, mucous membrane, comprises exposing a first portion of a device including an electrode assembly and a first reservoir; Exposing a second portion of the device that is separate from the second portion and includes a second reservoir containing the medicament to be delivered to the patient. The first reservoir of the first part of the device is the second reservoir of the second part of the device.
In conductive contact with one of the reservoirs, at least partially hydrating one of the reservoirs and forming a combined portion, wherein the combined portion of the device is attached to the area of the patient to be treated. Also, current flows through the device and into the mounting area, placing the medicament into the patient's body. In another embodiment, the hydration solution is applied to the patient's area before activating the device and before attaching the device to the patient's mounting area. The user-operated iontophoresis device of the present invention for delivering at least one medicament through a patient attachment area, such as skin, mucous membrane, etc., includes a first portion and a second portion. The first part includes an electrode assembly and a first reservoir, and the second part includes a second reservoir. The electrode assembly has electrode means for introducing the medicament into the patient for absorption by the patient's body. The first conductive reservoir contains an active compound supplied to the patient's attachment area, and the second reservoir contains a vasoactive drug supplied to the patient's attachment area. Further, the holding means holds the first and second parts with the first and second parts separated from each other, and holds the electrode assembly in a state of being electrically connected to the first reservoir. At the same time, prior to activation, the vasoactive agent contained in the second reservoir is kept separate from the first portion. In this way, during operation, the first
And the second reservoir are in conductive contact with each other, and at least one of the two reservoirs is at least partially hydrated. Also, in operation, the vasoactive agent dissolves at the interface of the two reservoirs, and the vasoactive agent can contact the attachment area of the patient. Also, the vasoactive agent can be initially separated from the active compound and allowed to dry, and upon storage, the retaining means is sealed to retain the first portion intact. Further, the active compound can include a local anesthetic such as lidocaine, and the vasoactive agent can include a vasoconstrictor compound such as adrenaline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various features, objects, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate corresponding components, and in which: ,
As will be apparent from a reading of the appended claims, in the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views of one embodiment of a user-operated iontophoretic device of the present invention. , FIG. 1A shows the device before operation, FIG. 1B shows the device after operation, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the device of the present invention before operation. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic cross-sectional views showing a state before operation of still another embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are provided with a second medicine reservoir. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a state before and after operation of another embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a state before operation of another embodiment of the device. FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are schematic diagrams of yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention,
6A is a sectional view showing the device before operation, FIG. 6B is a bottom view showing the device before operation, and FIG. 6C is a side sectional view showing the device after operation. User-operated iontophoretic device DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6,
The whole is indicated by the reference numeral 10. Referring to FIGS.1A and 1B, the device or patch 10 of the present invention comprises an electrode assembly 12 having at least one electrode, an electrode reservoir 14, and at least one pharmaceutical reservoir 16, wherein the electrode assembly comprises: The electrode reservoir as well as the drug reservoir are held or contained within a pouch or other suitable structure 18. As is well known in the art, the return electrode can be integrated into the assembly 12 or provided separately. In a preferred embodiment, the device is divided or otherwise divided into two parts, while the (first) part 20 comprises an electrode assembly 12 and an electrode reservoir 14, wherein the electrode reservoir is The electrolyte 26 located adjacent to the electrode assembly
Holding. The other (second) portion 22 includes a drug reservoir 16, which is preferably in an ionized or ionizable form and holds the drug or drug 28 to be delivered by iontophoresis. doing. The particular electrolyte is not a requirement for the present invention, but is merely a matter of choice. However, in this embodiment, the electrolyte can include an aqueous solution, a gel matrix (gel matrix), or other forms of sodium chloride. The pouch 18 has at least two compartments 30, 32, one (first) compartment.
30 houses the first part 20 of the device, and the other (second) compartment 32 houses the other (second) part 22. The two compartments 30, 32 are hingedly connected to each other along a bendable member 34, and a peelable liner 36 seals the two compartments. In this way, the medicament can be stored or otherwise stored in a dry state, which can be hydrated prior to use, or stabilized in a substrate, or supported on a substrate. In a manner, it can be isolated from the first part. Also,
The medicament can be stored in a non-aqueous solvent such as low molecular weight polyethylene glycol or glycerin. The medicament can be one that can be stabilized in such non-aqueous solvents, and the solution (with the ionized or ionizable medicament) depends on the particular medicament or combination of medicaments. Thus, an appropriate electrolyte can be obtained. Such solvents can also be used as wetting agents in the gel matrix. At least one barrier 38 is provided between the electrode reservoir 14 and the drug reservoir 16 adjacent to one or the other, and when the two portions or reservoirs are in conductive contact with each other as shown in FIG. Transport of ions between two reservoirs can be limited. The particular barrier used in this example is not critical to the invention and, depending on the particular therapeutic application, Haak et al. And Phi
It can include any of the diaphragms or morphologies described in the pps US patent. In a preferred embodiment, the two parts are removed by first removing the release liner 36 to expose the two parts 20, 22 and folding or otherwise bending the device along a bendable member. By contact, they are brought into contact with each other. In another embodiment, the bendable member 34 may be a breakable or perforated member that allows the two compartments to be physically separated and then contacted with each other. As is well known in the art, the device is then attached to the patient and the electrode assembly
A voltage is applied to the twelve electrodes and a current is passed through the patient's skin 60 to allow the ionic drug to enter the skin and tissues and be absorbed by the patient's body. It should also be understood that the device of the present invention can be applied to other areas of the body, such as mucous membranes, depending on the treatment desired and the medication to be administered. Another embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 210 in FIG.
The two parts 220, 222 are housed in a single structure 218 and separated by a barrier 240. The barrier 240 has an upper release surface 242, a lower release surface 244, and a pull tab 246 extending from the structure. The release surface is provided to prevent the barrier from adhering to adjacent portions of the device, such as reservoirs 214,216. The device 210 may also include an adhesive layer 248 to adhere the device to the patient's skin. However, prior to attaching the device to a patient, the barrier 240 is removed from the device by pulling on the tab 246, causing the electrode reservoir 214 and the drug reservoir 216 to be in conductive contact with each other. The two reservoirs 214, 216 of the two parts are separated prior to installation, thereby causing, for example, slow pumping or equilibrium between such reservoirs or dilution of the pharmaceutical formulation. Other forms of barrier can be used as long as they prevent degradation of the medicament by other effects that reduce the effect of the drug, while at the same time permitting conductive contact between the reservoirs after actuation. You need to understand. In this embodiment, the barrier is a vapor / liquid impermeable barrier that can be removed to operate the device. Yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3, which comprises two separate parts 310A, 310B housed in separate structures 318A, 318B, One part has a first part 320 and the second part has a second part 3.
22 and the first and second components can contact each other after removing the release liners 336A, 336B from their respective components. This example is
The first portion 320 is a common or versatile element and the second portion 322 is adapted to be used depending on the medicament or drug contained therein and the desired treatment / treatment to be administered to the patient. Preferred for use in selected situations. In this manner, the first portion 320 can be used with a separate second portion 322 that is manufactured or otherwise produced to have various medicaments. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the device is indicated generally at 410 and comprises three compartments 430, each separated by a bendable member 434.
A pouch having 432 and 433 or a suitable structure 418 is provided. First compartment 43
0 contains an electrode assembly 412 and an electrode reservoir 414, a second compartment contains a medication reservoir 416, and a third compartment contains a second medication that contacts the skin 460 of the patient. Contains reservoir 417. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a third portion of the device 510 can include a flexible member 550 to which the second medicament reservoir 517 is attached. be able to. In this embodiment, the flexible member 550 includes an existing release liner 536 and a second release liner 537.
And a second medication reservoir 517 is sandwiched between the liners. Another embodiment is generally shown at 610 in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C. The device includes an electrode assembly 612, a first reservoir 615 that combines an electrode reservoir and a first medicament reservoir, and a second reservoir 617. These components are housed in a structure 618 and covered by a backing or cover 619. The first part is comprised of the electrode assembly 612 and the first reservoir 615, and the second part is simply comprised of the second reservoir 617. Adhesive layer 648
Surrounds at least a portion of the first reservoir, and a release liner 636 covers both exposed surfaces. One side of the second reservoir 617 is attached to a flexible member 650 and the other side is attached to a second release liner 637, and the second reservoir is Between the flexible member and the release liner. A bendable member 635 hinges the flexible member 650 to the backing 619 of the structure 618. In this embodiment, the backing may include a foil material, such as, for example, plastic laminated aluminum. The first reservoir 615 of the device 610 is electrically conductive and has an electrode assembly 612.
Can be in conductive contact with the second reservoir 617 before activation.
And a conductive contact along the respective interface. In this manner, the first reservoir 615 can be used to contain a gel having an active compound, eg, a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine dispersed therein, and the second reservoir 617 Can be used to contain vasoactive drugs such as adrenaline. With the addition of vasoactive drugs, the local anesthetic is further concentrated in the area of application by constricting the blood vessels, which greatly increases the depth or degree of analgesia in the skin and the duration of the desired effect. It was found to increase. The vasoactive agent can dissolve at the reservoir interface during operation of the device due to its solubility in aqueous fluids. Thus, the current can be applied after the device is attached to the appropriate area of the patient's skin 660 and the vasoactive agent contacts the skin. The local anesthetic and the active compound act together during the period of administration by iontophoresis. Unless special precautions are taken, the activity of the vasoactive substance as a vasoconstrictor is reduced because during the normal storage at room temperature, unstable substances such as adrenaline in aqueous solutions oxidize and hydrolyze. It turned out to be. Such precautions include complete removal of oxygen in the container for the active agent and a laminar flow of nitrogen during the process of filling the container with the combined solution of local anesthetic and adrenaline. Including using. In a preferred embodiment, the structure 618 is sealed during storage to keep the aqueous solution intact and the vasoactive agent separated from the local anesthetic solution during storage and kept dry. Thus, the vasoactive agent can be separated from the local anesthetic (active compound) and kept in a dry state. The vasoactive agent may be, for example, a first reservoir that holds a local anesthetic (active compound), such as cotton fiber, plastic yarn, or the like.
Preferably, it is kept dry, homogeneously distributed in a carrier material having the same surface area as 615. Adrenaline in the dry state, that is, an adrenaline thread comprising cotton or plastic woven yarn impregnated with a predetermined amount of adrenaline per unit length, has been found to be suitable for use in the device of the present invention. The stability of the dried adrenaline present in the above formations proved to be very good, even when stored at room temperature for more than 5 years. The gel contained in the first reservoir 615 and used for the electrolyte also
Acts as an adhesive, eliminating the need for an adhesive layer 648. Further, a porous adhesive can be used. The following formations can be used with the embodiment of the device 610 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C. Example 1 Lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate equivalent to lidocaine hydrochloride 150 mg Pure water 1 ml Lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate is dissolved in pure water. The solution is absorbed into a thin cellulose or plastic material such as Vetx® or Porex®. Example 2 Ropivacaine hydrochloride monohydrate equivalent to ropivacaine hydrochloride 35 mg Pure water 1 ml Dissolve ropivacaine hydrochloride monohydrate in pure water. The solution is absorbed into a thin material of cellulose or plastic. Example 3 Lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate equivalent to lidocaine hydrochloride 20 mg Pure water 1 ml Prepare and prepare in the same manner as in Example 2. Example 4 Adrenaline base 1.68 g Hydrochloric acid 5.04 ml Sodium pyrosulfite 0.10 g Tetrasemin disodium 0.05 g Pure water 100 g By varying the amount of water, solutions with various contents of vasoactive agents are obtained.
The carrier material soaked in the vasoactive agent is cotton thread, synthetic fiber or paper. The vasoactive solution is immersed in the carrier material and the solution is allowed to evaporate until the carrier material is dry. Example 5 Ferripressin, Octapressin® 3.15 IU stock solution 25 IU / ml pure water 100 g By changing the amount of water, solutions with different contents of ferripressin peptide are obtained. The carrier material soaked in the peptide is cotton thread, synthetic fiber or paper. The carrier material is immersed in the peptide and the solution is evaporated until the carrier material is dry. Also, peptides such as ferripressin have proven to be suitable. It is preferred that both the active ingredient, which is a local anesthetic or peptide in the form of the hydrochloride salt, and the vasoconstrictor (adrenaline is preferred) are both readily soluble in aqueous solutions. Thus, various embodiments of the present invention can be used where at least one active compound needs to be sequestered. The medicaments and active compounds used above also refer to agents such as therapeutic compounds, diagnostics and the like. The particular material matrix or method of manufacture is not critical to the invention. For example, the medicament can be spray-dried on a non-woven material, an inert support or carrier such as a screen or scrim, or a variety of microporous supports or carriers such as nylon, polyethylene and polypropylene. Alternatively, the medicament can be dispersed in an ointment or liquid, molded and dried on the support. In addition, the medicament can be mixed with a dispersant or a water-soluble polymer and pressed into a dry wafer or pellet that rapidly dissolves in the water. The medicament can be evenly dispersed in a dehydrated gel that can be rapidly hydrated by adding water. The particular water or hydration mechanism is not critical to the invention, and aqueous solutions stored in a compartment near the compartment for the dried medicament can be used, or water from the body (
(Due to occlusion of the attachment site) can provide the necessary water to the drug reservoir to dissolve the drug formulation. Also, a towel or wet pad in a separate pouch can be provided with the device to wet the attachment site and / or drug reservoir before attaching to the patient. Alternatively, moisture can be applied as a spray. The means of the properties can be selected depending on the formation or condition of the medicament. Also, while the invention has been described in connection with iontophoresis, the invention is directed to other active introduction principles, i.e., particles move in an electric field toward one or the other electrode, anode or cathode. It is to be understood that electrophoresis can be used in conjunction with driving forces such as electroosmosis in which uncharged compounds are transported due to the overall flow of water created by the electric field. Further, patients can be humans as well as animals. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in order to enable those skilled in the art to practice the apparatus of the invention, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. And that modifications can be employed. The above description is illustrative and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention should be determined only by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electrode assembly means for delivering a medicament to a patient mounting area for absorption by a patient's body in a user-operated device for delivering at least one medicament to a patient mounting area such as skin, mucous membrane, and the like. A first reservoir disposed in association with the electrode assembly means; a second reservoir containing a medicament to be delivered to a patient's mounting area; and the electrode assembly means, the first reservoir and the second reservoir. Holding means for holding a reservoir, wherein the holding means comprises the electrode assembly means and the first reservoir.
Holding both the over server, the electrode assembly means comprising a first means for holding the state of being connected to the first reservoir and electrically, the holding means, prior to activation, the the second reservoir to prevent degradation and dilution of medicament to be accommodated in said first held in the state of being separated for the reservoir of the second reservoir, during operation, the first reservoir and the second The two reservoirs are in contact with each other to at least partially hydrate one of the two reservoirs to improve the dosing efficiency of the device and, after actuation, to establish a conductivity between the first and second reservoirs. A user-actuated device comprising a second means for allowing contact of the user. 2. 2. The user-operated device of claim 1, wherein the first means and the second means are hingedly connected to each other along a bendable member, thereby connecting the retaining means to the bendable member. A user-operated device that can be activated by folding along and bringing said first and second reservoirs into conductive contact with each other. 3. The user-operated device of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir is separated from the second reservoir and operated to bring the first reservoir and the second reservoir into conductive contact with each other. Further comprising a barrier means capable of having an upper release surface, a lower release surface, and a pull tab extending from the holding means, whereby the tab is pulled to bring the barrier means into the device. , Wherein the first and second reservoirs can be activated by conductively connecting them to each other. 4. 2. The user-actuated device of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir includes a second medicament to be delivered to a patient mounting area, wherein at least one of the two medicaments is kept dry prior to actuation. User actuated device characterized by the following: 5. 2. The user-operated device of claim 1, wherein the device is provided between the first reservoir and the second reservoir, and limits the presence of competing ions when the two reservoirs are conductively connected to each other. A user-operated device, further comprising at least one barrier to: 6. 2. The user-operated device of claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a compartment, said second means also comprises a compartment, one compartment comprising said electrode assembly means and said first reservoir. The other compartment contains the second reservoir, the two compartments are hingedly connected to each other along a bendable member, and a release liner seals the two compartments. Shut off, whereby the second reservoir containing the dispensed medicament can be stored separately from the first reservoir, and the device can be stored along the bendable member. A user-actuated device operable by folding the first reservoir and the second reservoir into conductive contact with each other. 7. A user-operated iontophoresis device for delivering at least one medicament through a patient attachment area, such as skin, mucous membrane, etc., wherein a first portion including an electrode assembly and a first reservoir, and a second reservoir. Wherein the electrode assembly has electrode means for placing a medicament absorbed by the patient's body into the patient, and wherein the first conductive reservoir comprises a patient. houses the active compound fed to the attachment region, said second reservoir accommodates a vasoactive agent to be delivered to the patient's attachment areas, those the apparatus, said first portion and before a state where the second portion are separated from each other
Holding means for holding the first portion and the second portion;
The vasoactive agent to be accommodated by the reservoir prior to activation, the is held in a state of being paired to separate the first portion, during operation, the first reservoir and the second
Wherein said reservoirs can be in conductive contact with each other and at least one of said reservoirs is at least partially hydrated. 8. 8. The user-actuated iontophoresis device of claim 7, wherein, when activated, the vasoactive agent dissolves at the interface of the two reservoirs and the vasoactive agent contacts a patient mounting area to be energized. A user-operated iontophoresis device characterized in that it is capable of performing iontophoresis. 9. In the user-actuated iontophoresis device of claim 7, wherein the vasoactive agent is from the active compound by the holding means sealed to keep the first portion intact between the reservoir in the separated state, or in homogeneously distributed state in a carrier material, initially in dry form, thereby, the vasoactive agent, during storage of the previous SL first The state of the aqueous solution in the part
User-operated iontophoresis device characterized by can be maintained in a dried form in a state of being separated from the active compound by sealed said holding means to hold the. 10. 8. The user-operated iontophoresis device of claim 7, wherein the first reservoir comprises an electrolyte such as a conductive gel, the active compound comprises a local anesthetic, and the vasoactive agent comprises a vasoconstrictor compound. Wherein the local anesthetic is lidocaine and the vasoconstrictor compound is adrenaline.