A distal electrode of an electrode assembly, for example, employed by an implantable medical electrical lead device, extends distally from a distal terminal end of a sleeve of the assembly; and the sleeve, which defines a longitudinal axis of the assembly, includes a plurality of channels that provide fluid communication between a steroid eluting component, which is seated in an external groove of the sleeve, and an area distal to the distal terminal end of the sleeve. Floors of some or all of the sleeve channels may angle toward the longitudinal axis of the assembly, being closer to the axis at the distal terminal end of the sleeve. The assembly may further include a proximal electrode secured to a proximal end of the sleeve, wherein the proximal electrode may be mounted around an outer surface of the sleeve or coupled to the sleeve by means of a coupling component.

Apparatus for driving fluid between first and second anatomical sites of a subject is provided, comprising (1) a first electrode, configured to be coupled to the first anatomical site of the subject; (2) a second electrode, configured to be coupled to the second anatomical site of the subject; and (3) a control unit, configured to (i) detect a pressure difference between the first and second anatomical sites, and (ii) in response to the detected pressure difference, drive fluid between the first and second anatomical sites by applying a treatment voltage between the first and second electrodes. Other embodiments are also described.

A method is provided that includes implanting a first electrode in a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled space of a brain of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from Alzheimer's disease. One or more second electrodes are implanted superficial to brain parenchyma of the subject, such that the brain parenchyma is spatially disposed between a ventricular system of the brain and the one or more second electrodes. Control circuitry is activated to drive the first and the one or more second electrodes to clear amyloid beta and/or tau protein from the brain parenchyma into the ventricular system by applying current between the first electrode and the one or more second electrodes using an average voltage of less than 1.2 V. Other embodiments are also described.

A transdermal delivery system (1) configured to deliver an active agent to human or animal tissue, comprising a penetrative electrode (2) of one polarity that provides an electrical contact (3) beneath the stratum corneum (20); a surface electrode (4) of the opposite polarisation to that of the penetrative electrode (2) that provides an electrical contact to the external surface of the skin (21) on the opposite side of the stratum corneum (20) to the electrical contact (3) of the penetrative electrode (2); a dispenser (5) configured to deliver of an active agent to the external surface of the skin (21) adjacent to an electrical contact of the surface electrode (4); a method of delivering the active agent to the tissue of a human or animal body using the transdermal delivery system (1) and an electrode assembly (10) for use in preparing the transdermal delivery system (1).

A method for targeted drug delivery. The method includes preparing a drug composition with a surface electric charge, injecting the drug composition into a cancer patient's body, placing an electrically conductive element in a region next to a tumor location inside the cancer patient's body, and delivering the drug composition to the tumor location. Delivering the drug composition to the tumor location includes electrostatically trapping the drug composition within the tumor location by applying an electrostatic field with an opposite sign of electric charge to a sign of the surface electric charge of the drug composition to the electrically conductive element.

This document provides devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions, hypertension, and other medical disorders. For example, this document provides devices and methods for treating atrial fibrillation by performing thoracic vein ablation procedures, including pulmonary vein myocardium ablation. In some embodiments, the ablation is performed in coordination with the delivery a pharmacological agent that can abate the formation of tissue stenosis or neointimal hyperplasia caused by the ablation.

The present invention relates to an electrochemical device for releasing ions, comprising an electrical circuit comprising a first electrode and a second electrode adapted for providing a galvanic cell when the electrodes are exposed to a fluid constituting an electrolyte, and a boost converter adapted for amplifying a potential generated between the first and the second electrode. The electrical circuit further comprises a third electrode connected with an output side of the boost converter, wherein the second and the third electrode constitutes an electrolytic cell powered by the galvanic cell when the electrodes are exposed to a fluid. The present invention further relates to devices, such as a toothbrush or a shaver, adapted for being used in connection with a fluid, comprising such electrochemical device for releasing ions.

A localizable systemic gene therapy system is provided substantially increasing the transfection efficiency of the gene vectors into targeted tissue cells and substantially reducing the escape of the gene vectors from the targeted tissue volume, such as would waste the vectors, promote undesired immune reactions, and/or incur prohibitive costs for the required dose of gene-containing virus vectors. In this regard, the invention provides a means to simultaneously achieve local electroporation and gene-containing vector injection in a portion of a vascularized organ. It includes two double-balloon catheters that create contained volumes in parallel blood vessels for the introduction of vectors with reduced loss along with electrodes providing electroporation of the cells in the same location where the vectors are injected.

A method is provided that includes implanting a first electrode at a first site in a brain of a subject suffering from hydrocephalus, and a second electrode at a second site in the subject. The hydrocephalus is treated by electroosmotically driving fluid out of the first site, by applying a treatment voltage between the first and the second electrodes.

The present invention is directed to a wearable system wherein elements of the system, including various sensors adapted to detect biometric and other data and/or to deliver drugs, are positioned proximal to, on the ear or in the ear canal of a person. In embodiments of the invention, elements of the system are positioned on the ear or in the ear canal for extended periods of time. For example, an element of the system may be positioned on the tympanic membrane of a user and left there overnight, for multiple days, months, or years. Because of the position and longevity of the system elements in the ear canal, the present invention has many advantages over prior wearable biometric and drug delivery devices.