Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by cyclically modulating neural activity in peripheral neural structures are disclosed. Neural activity may be modulated cyclically by stimuli delivered via various types of stimulus sources. In an aspect, activity of a sensory nerve is modulated. Neural modulation may be used, for example, to modulate an undesired sensation, such as pain, or an immune or inflammatory response or process. Delivery of stimuli for modulating neural activity may be controlled in part in response to an input from a user input device.

Disclosed herein are formulations of dexamethasone or a prodrug thereof suitable for delivery by ocular iontophoresis and methods of use thereof.

An ophthalmological device for the treatment of keratoconus includes a cylindrical reservoir made of a non-conductive material, open at the top and bottom, and formed by two telescopically engaged portions, a lower one open at the bottom and connected to a cylindrical chamber of smaller diameter, also open at the bottom and formed by an external annular chamber that is concentrically arranged around the chamber and is closed at the top, open at the bottom, and adapted to be placed on the eye; a first metallic conductor, housed in the container and connected to a terminal of a DC voltage generator, to the other terminal of which a second metallic conductor is connected; a first conduit provided with a closing device, one end of the first conduit flowing into the annular reservoir, the other end being located externally thereto, whereby vacuum may be applied through the first conduit; and a second conduit provided with a closing device, one end of the second conduit passing through the annular reservoir at its lower edge and flowing into the container, the other end being located externally to the annular reservoir. During irradiation, a hydrating solution is administered from above through the metallic conductor that touches the eye and is released through the conduit to avoid the excessive absorption of incident energy by the hydrating solution while maintaining a minimum thickness and constant hydrating solution on the ocular surface.

Methods and devices treating an autonomic nervous system associated disease condition in a subject are provided. Aspects of the invention include inducing one or more physiological response selected from the group consisting of sweating, gastric emptying, enhanced heart rate variability and enhanced quantitative sensory test responsiveness in a manner sufficient to modify the autonomic nervous system so as to treat the subject for the disease condition. The methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, e.g. in the treatment of subjects suffering from conditions arising from disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

Methods and devices treating an autonomic nervous system associated disease condition in a subject are provided. Aspects of the invention include inducing one or more physiological response selected from the group consisting of sweating, gastric emptying, enhanced heart rate variability and enhanced quantitative sensory test responsiveness in a manner sufficient to modify the autonomic nervous system so as to treat the subject for the disease condition. The methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, e.g. in the treatment of subjects suffering from conditions arising from disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of addictive cravings e.g., nicotine compounds for the treatment of nicotine cravings from tobacco use. An embodiment of a method for such delivery comprises positioning at least one electrode assembly in electrical communication with a patient's skin. The assembly includes a solution comprising a therapeutic agent which passively diffuses into the skin. A dose of agent is delivered from the assembly into the skin during a first period using a first current having a characteristic e.g., polarity and magnitude, to repel the agent out of the assembly. During a second period, a second current having a characteristic to attract the agent is used to retain the agent in the assembly such that delivery of agent into skin is minimized. A dose of agent may be delivered on demand by an input from the patient.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of addictive cravings e.g., nicotine compounds for the treatment of nicotine cravings from tobacco use. An embodiment of a method for such delivery comprises positioning at least one electrode assembly in electrical communication with a patient's skin. The assembly includes a solution comprising a therapeutic agent which passively diffuses into the skin. A dose of agent is delivered from the assembly into the skin during a first period using a first current having a characteristic e.g., polarity and magnitude, to repel the agent out of the assembly. During a second period, a second current having a characteristic to attract the agent is used to retain the agent in the assembly such that delivery of agent into skin is minimized. A dose of agent may be delivered on demand by an input from the patient.

One subject of the invention is an article for cosmetic treatment of a body area with an electric current, comprising a support (50) comprising an electrode (1) and a counter electrode (2), said electrode and counter electrode being separated from one another by a space comprising an electrically insulating zone (3) made of a polymeric material.

A system is provided for testing whether an iontophoretic drug delivery device is in an appropriate state for administering a therapeutic agent into an animal body. An electrical characteristic of at least one electrical path associated with an electrode test point is used to determine whether the iontophoretic device is in an appropriate state. The measured electrical characteristic indicates that the iontophoretic device is in an appropriate state for administering the therapeutic agent into the animal body when the therapeutic agent is properly disposed with respect to the electrodes of the iontophoretic device.

The present invention relates to a device for applying a cosmetic composition (P), comprising: —a capsule (1) that delimits a housing (10), —an application member (6) positioned in the housing (10) and impregnated with a cosmetic composition (P), —an electric exciter (29) comprising at least two electrodes (4, 5) in contact with the application member (6) and making it possible to circulate an electric current between these two electrodes (4, 5).