JP4652639B2 - Ion introduction tool - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to an iontophoresis device, and more particularly to an iontophoresis device that can be easily used, is not bulky as a whole, and hardly interferes with operations in daily life.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Iontophoresis (iontophoresis) is a method in which a physiologically active substance is administered transcutaneously using an electric repulsive force between a positively or negatively charged electrode and an ionic physiologically active substance, such as injection. In contrast, in principle, there is no physical or mental pain such as pain or fear when administered. Many conventional iontophoresis devices are composed of a pair of electrodes, an oscillation circuit for applying a flat or low-frequency pulse voltage to the electrodes, and a power supply circuit for energizing the oscillation circuit. As a whole, there is a problem that it is bulky and difficult to handle in a general household, and when the battery is exhausted or taken out to an environment where a power line cannot be used, ions cannot be introduced at all.
[0003]
As a method for solving such a problem in an iontophoresis device, Japanese Patent No. 2797118 discloses an iontophoresis device in which an anode mainly composed of a noble metal and a cathode mainly composed of a metal oxide semiconductor are connected by a conducting wire. Proposed. Since this iontophoresis device uses the contact potential difference between a noble metal and a semiconductor, in principle, it does not require any power source such as a battery or a power line, which has been an indispensable element in conventional iontophoresis devices. There are advantages. On the other hand, since such an iontophoresis device is provided with a matrix in which electrodes are connected to each other with a conductive wire or a physiologically active substance is impregnated on one side of the anode, it is easy to be bulky as a whole and comes into contact with the body surface. There was a problem that it was easy to disturb the operation in daily life.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an iontophoresis device that can be used easily, is less bulky as a whole, and is less likely to hinder operations in daily life.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of an extensive search and research by the present inventors, a foil-like anode consisting essentially of a noble metal, a foil-like cathode consisting essentially of a conductor or semiconductor other than a noble metal, and in contact with the anode, an anode and a cathode, It has been found that an iontophoresis device comprising a holding member for holding can be easily used, is not bulky as a whole, and is difficult to hinder operations in daily life. In particular, it has been found that when the anode and the cathode are brought into contact with each other by overlapping each other, the conducting wire connecting the electrodes can be omitted, so that the failure of the ion introduction tool due to corrosion can be substantially eliminated.
[0006]
That is, the present invention has the above-described problems in that a foil-like anode consisting essentially of a noble metal, a foil-like cathode consisting essentially of a conductor or a semiconductor other than a noble metal, and the anode and cathode This is solved by providing an iontophoresis device comprising a holding member that holds
[0007]
Furthermore, the present invention provides an iontophoresis device in which an adhesive layer is provided on one side of a sheet-like holding member, and an anode and a cathode are attached to the adhesive layer in the iontophoresis device having such a configuration. To solve this problem.
[0008]
Furthermore, the present invention provides an iontophoresis device in which the above-described problems are solved by concentrically holding an anode and a cathode formed in a circular shape or an annular shape on one side of the holding member in the iontophoresis device having such a configuration. To solve this problem.
[0009]
Furthermore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing an iontophoresis device in which the anode and the cathode are brought into contact with each other by overlapping each other.
[0010]
Furthermore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing an iontophoresis device having such a configuration, wherein an ion and / or a part of the cathode opposite to the holding member is covered with an insulating layer. To do.
[0011]
Furthermore, the present invention provides the above-described problem by providing an insulating layer between the anode and the cathode in the iontophoresis device having such a configuration, cutting a part of the insulating layer, and forming the anode through the notch. The problem is solved by providing an iontophoresis device that allows the cathode to come into contact with the cathode.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated examples. FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section taken along a cutting line AA ′. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the Example shown in FIG. In the figure, 1 is a holding member, which is generally used in skin patches, and is flexible, for example, using a sheet-like non-conductive material such as paper, cloth, nonwoven fabric, plastic film, and laminates thereof, This is cut into a shape and size according to the part of the body surface to be ion-introduced. 2 is an adhesive layer, usually one or more of natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic polymer bases commonly used in skin patches, and if necessary, a viscosity-imparting agent, softening agent, inorganic filling For example, an acrylic, rubber-based, or silicone-based water-containing pressure-sensitive adhesive (plaster) is spread over the entire surface of one side of the holding member 1 by adding an agent, an absorption accelerator, a solubilizer, a fragrance, a pigment, and the like. It is formed.
[0013]
Reference numeral 3 denotes an anode consisting essentially of a noble metal. Usually, a noble metal such as gold, silver, platinum or an alloy thereof is thinly spread or woven into a foil shape having a thickness of 1 mm or less, preferably 1 to 100 μm. What was formed is used. In this example, the gold foil is formed in an annular shape having a width indicated by an arrow, and one side thereof is attached to the adhesive layer 2 to be held on the holding member 1. The anode 3 is only required to be composed of a noble metal in its electrical main part. Therefore, for example, a plastic is formed into a film or sheet, which is a non-conductive material, and this is used as a core material for a part or the whole. May be covered with a noble metal foil by a general-purpose method such as sputtering, vacuum deposition, or chemical vapor deposition, or may be woven by blending noble metal with chemical fiber or the like.
[0014]
4 and 4 'are insulating layers, which are generally formed of a non-conductive material such as plastic in a film or sheet shape with a thickness of 1 mm or less, preferably 1 to 100 μm, and a semi-slightly smaller diameter than the anode 3. The holding member 1 is formed by cutting into a circular shape, using a hollow portion in the anode 3 and pasting the periphery of the anode 3 on the inner periphery of the anode 3, providing a certain gap 5 and facing the adhesive layer 2 so as to face each other. Held up.
[0015]
6 is a cathode consisting essentially of a conductor or semiconductor other than a noble metal, and usually generates a potential in contact with the noble metal, such as titanium, iron, nickel, zinc, aluminum, carbon, tin, antimony, bismuth, these A conductor such as an alloy of the above, or a semiconductor such as zinc oxide, tin oxide, antimony oxide, bismuth oxide, etc., which is formed into a foil shape having a thickness of 1 mm or less, preferably 1 to 100 μm by thinly spreading or weaving a semiconductor Is used. In this example, the aluminum foil is cut into a circular shape having an outer diameter smaller than that of the insulating layers 4 and 4 ′ and having a diameter indicated by an arrow, and the gap 5 in the insulating layers 4 and 4 ′ is used as a notch portion. The insulating layer 4, 4 ′ is superposed on the adhesive layer 2 so as to be held on the holding member 1. Thus, the cathode 6 is in direct contact with the anode 3 through a part of the notch in the insulating layers 4 and 4 ′. The cathode 6 only needs to be composed of a conductor or a semiconductor other than a noble metal, and the cathode 6 is a non-conductive material, as in the anode 3, for example, plastic is formed into a film or sheet. Then, using this as a core material, a part or the whole thereof is covered with a foil other than a noble metal or a semiconductor by a general method such as sputtering, vacuum deposition, or chemical vapor deposition, or a conductor or semiconductor other than a noble metal is chemically treated. It may be blended with fibers and woven. In addition to the above-described notches, for example, a part of the insulating layer may be notched into an appropriate shape and size such as a wedge shape, a circle shape, and a square shape.
[0016]
In the present invention, the arrangement of the anode and the cathode on the support member should never be limited to that seen in FIGS. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ionic physiologically active substance is, in essence, in a state where the anode and the cathode are held by the support member, while the electrodes are in contact with each other to a sufficient extent to produce a contact potential difference. In order to uniformly administer the substance to the skin, the part of the anode and / or cathode that contacts the body surface is covered with an insulating layer according to the shape and size of the part of the body surface to be ion-introduced. I just need it. Examples of such an embodiment include those shown in FIG. 3 other than those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0017]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, an anode 3 formed in an annular shape having a width indicated by an arrow, and a cathode 6 formed in a circle having a diameter indicated by an arrow, the former inner circumference is the latter. By sticking on the support member 1 so that it may overlap directly over the whole outer periphery, both are hold | maintained in substantially planar shape. Furthermore, the adhesive or the like has a width indicated by an arrow so as to cover the contact surface between the anode 3 and the cathode 6 in accordance with the shape and size of the body surface portion to be ion-introduced. An annular insulating layer 4 made of a conductive material is attached to the anode 3 and the cathode 6 on the side opposite to the holding member 1 so as to partially cover the anode 3 and the cathode 6 respectively. When the potential is generated by directly contacting the anode and the cathode, the lead wire for connecting the anode and the cathode, which is an indispensable element in the conventional ion introduction tool, can be omitted. The bulk is reduced, and the failure of the iontophoresis device due to the corrosion of the conductor can be virtually eliminated. Depending on the site to which ions are introduced, if the application time is long, the sweat may sweat and the contact resistance with the body surface may be extremely reduced. For example, it is desirable to form a plurality of through holes at appropriate positions of the anode and / or the cathode, or to form part or all of the electrodes in a mesh shape. In order to bring the anode and the cathode into contact with each other, in addition to the direct contact as described above, for example, a section-like connecting member made of the same or different material as the anode or the cathode is prepared, and this is installed on the anode and the cathode. By doing so, the two electrodes may be brought into contact with each other.
[0018]
Now, such an iontophoresis device is usually made into a product by covering the side of the support member 1 to which the anode 3 and the cathode 6 are attached with an appropriate covering member. Such a covering member will be described. For example, in FIG. 4, reference numeral 7 denotes a covering member. Usually, the holding member 1 has the same shape and size as the holding member 1, or as shown in FIG. 4, the holding member. The sheet is cut into an appropriately shaped mount larger than 1, and, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, one or a plurality of ion introduction tools 8 are detachably attached.
[0019]
The method of using the iontophoresis device of this example will be described. In use, first, a desired physiologically active substance containing an appropriate site on the body surface is applied, for example, in the form of a liquid agent, an ointment, or the like. For example, a cloth, a piece of paper or the like impregnated with the liquid agent is brought into contact with such a part, and then the ion introduction tool 8 is removed from the covering member 7 and attached to the part. Since the skin functions as a kind of conductor, when the iontophoresis tool 8 is pasted, an electric circuit composed of the anode 3, the cathode 6, and the skin is formed. When the anode 3 and the cathode 6 are brought into contact with each other, the chemical potential of the electron system in both electrodes becomes equal and the Fermi level is also the same. Therefore, the conductor or semiconductor constituting both electrodes at the contact surface of the electrodes That is, a so-called contact potential difference that is equal to the work function difference is generated. In other words, when the iontophoresis device according to the present invention is used in this way, the anode 3 and the cathode 6 are charged positively and negatively, respectively. As a result, the physiologically active substance in the vicinity of the anode 3 or the cathode 6 Cations or anions repel positive and negative charges at the electrodes, respectively, and penetrate into the skin.
[0020]
The iontophoresis device of the present invention is positively or negatively charged, for example, anesthetic, hypnotic analgesic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, antipyretic analgesic, antistimulant, stimulant, stimulant, antiparkinsonian, neuropsychiatric agent , Central nervous system agent, skeletal muscle relaxant, autonomic agent, antispasmodic agent, ophthalmic agent, otolaryngological agent, antipruritic agent, cardiotonic agent, arrhythmic agent, diuretic, antihypertensive agent, vasoconstrictor, coronary vasodilator Agent, peripheral vasodilator, hyperlipidemia agent, circulatory organ agent, respiratory accelerator, antitussive expectorant, bronchodilator, allergic agent, antipruritic agent, intestinal adjuster, peptic ulcer agent, healthy stomach digester Antacids, laxatives, astringents, pituitary hormones, salivary hormones, thyroid hormones, antithyroid hormones, anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, male hormones, follicular / luteal hormones, Mixed hormone preparation, genitourinary / anal preparation, outside Disinfectant for sterilization, wound protection agent, external preparation for purulent diseases, analgesic / antipruritic / astringent / anti-inflammatory agent, parasitic skin disease agent, emollient / corrosive agent, dental / oral agent, vitamin, inorganic preparation , Hemostatic agent, anticoagulant agent, liver disease agent, antidote, habitual addiction agent, gout treatment agent, enzyme preparation, antidiabetic agent, antineoplastic agent, radiopharmaceutical, antihistamine agent, stimulation therapy agent, herbal medicine, Medicinal ingredients such as pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, biologics, anthelmintic / antiprotozoal agents, X-ray contrast agents, diagnostic agents, narcotics, cell utilization agents, treatment aids, etc. In cosmetics such as basic cosmetics, hair cosmetics, oral hygiene products, for example, L-ascorbic acid and salts and derivatives thereof, esthiol, ellagic acid, carpronium chloride, caffeine, photosensitizer, oxalic acid, salicylic acid, toco Errol, nicotinic acid, lactic acid, riboflavin, terpene compounds derived from animals and plants, lipids, nutrients such as physiologically active proteins, moisturizing ingredients, emollient ingredients, keratin softening ingredients, blood circulation promoting ingredients, whitening ingredients, hair growth ingredients, hair growth It can be applied to various physiologically active substances including components, bad breath suppressing components, hypersensitivity suppressing components, and bactericidal components. However, these are merely examples, and the physiologically active substance administered subcutaneously by the iontophoresis device of the present invention should never be limited to the above.
[0021]
Such a physiologically active substance is used by being dissolved or dispersed in an appropriate medium or base such as water, ethanol, glycerin, ethylene glycol, or polyethylene glycol. The site to be applied may be any body surface, and may be applied simultaneously to a plurality of sites. When applied to the face, the holding member is, for example, a face pack shape corresponding to the unevenness of the face, and the anode and the cathode are formed in an appropriate shape according to the application site. Although depending on the purpose of application and the type of physiologically active substance, the time for iontophoresis is usually 0.1 hours or more, up to 24 hours, preferably while carefully observing the symptom of the subject and the state of the site. , Adjust in the range of 0.5 to 5 hours. When iontophoretic substances such as peptide hormones and cytokines, bioactive substances that are weakly charged, or bioactive substances in which only a part of the molecule is charged, are necessary to promote ion introduction. Accordingly, an absorption promoter containing a chelating agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylene glycol bis (2-aminoethyl ether) -N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, and the like, together with such a physiologically active substance. You may use together simultaneously or sequentially.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the iontophoresis device of the present invention comprises a foil-like anode consisting essentially of a noble metal, a foil-like cathode consisting essentially of a conductor or semiconductor other than a noble metal, and an anode and a cathode. Since the iontophoresis device includes a holding member that holds the substantially flat shape, it is not bulky as a whole and is unlikely to hinder operations in daily life. When the anode and the cathode are brought into contact with each other by being overlapped with each other, since the conductive wire connecting the electrodes can be omitted, there is an advantage that the failure of the ion introduction tool due to corrosion can be substantially eliminated.
[0023]
It can be said that this invention having such remarkable effects is a very significant invention that contributes to the world.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an iontophoresis device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the iontophoretic device shown in FIG. 1 taken along a cutting line AA ′.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the iontophoresis device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state where an iontophoresis device according to the present invention is attached to a covering member.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Holding member 2 Adhesive layer 3 Anode 4, 4 'Insulating layer 5 Gap 6 Cathode 7 Cover member 8 Ion introduction tool

Claims (4)

A foil-like anode consisting essentially of a noble metal, a foil-like cathode essentially consisting of a conductor or semiconductor other than a noble metal, and a holding member for holding the anode and the cathode. An iontophoresis device in which an insulating layer is provided between an anode and a cathode, a part of the insulating layer is cut out, and the anode and the cathode are overlapped with each other through the notch to bring the electrodes into contact with each other. An iontophoresis device.   The iontophoresis device according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer is provided on one side of the sheet-like holding member, and an anode and a cathode are attached to the adhesive layer.   The iontophoresis device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an anode and a cathode formed in a circular shape or an annular shape are concentrically held on one side of a holding member. The iontophoresis device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein a part of the anode and / or cathode opposite to the holding member is covered with an insulating layer.

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