Systems and methods for delivering pharmaceutical compositions to the nasal cavity using iontophoresis. The systems and methods include a delivery system that is disposed in operative apposition with a tissue surface, which delivery system can circulate iontophoretic solution having ions of a therapeutic substance in the nasal cavity. The circulation can be continuous or periodic. The circulation can replace the iontophoretic solution within the nasal cavity over a period of time, such as from 15 seconds to 1 minute. The systems and methods further include an electrode device that is utilized to apply current to perform the iontophoresis while the circulating of the iontophoretic solution in the nasal cavity. In some embodiments, the therapeutic substance is a steroid, and in further embodiments, the ions are betamethasone ions.

Various systems and methods provide iontophoretic delivery of anesthesia at a patient's tympanic membrane. At least one example is a method including: performing iontophoresis within a first ear canal by driving, by a control unit, a DC signal to an electrode of a first iontophoresis device positioned within the first ear canal, the electrode at least partially submerged within an iontophoresis fluid within the first ear canal; measuring, by the control unit, a mixed capacitance associated with the electrode by driving a first AC signal having a first frequency to the electrode; and determining, based on a change in the mixed capacitance, that an air bubble is present in the iontophoresis fluid.

A device for killing blood-borne pathogens, and a method of using the device to effectively remove the blood-borne pathogens from a body of a human or an animal is claimed. The device comprises a wire that is inserted into a bloodstream of a patient, which releases metallic ions which effectively kill the pathogens. There are several embodiments, each of which has a combination of covered and uncovered portions of the wire. The wire is electrically connected to both a source of power and a power supply with a printed circuit board or a controller/software, which controls an intensity and a duration of a treatment.

A method for treating a herniated intervertebral disc is provided, the method including implanting an electrode mount crossing an annulus fibrosus of the herniated intervertebral disc of a subject, such that the electrode mount holds at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in place in a nucleus pulposus of the herniated intervertebral disc. Control circuitry is activated to treat disc herniation by creating an electric potential difference between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces implanted outside the nucleus pulposus in electrical communication with the herniated intervertebral disc. Other embodiments are also described.

A transdermal dihydrogen delivery device including a body including an anode and a cathode, and an electrical energy source, wherein the body is based on a flexible material, capable of shaping to the skin of a human or animal body, and the body includes a water receptacle, the relative arrangement of the receptacle, the anode and the cathode being configured such that the water contained in the receptacle is in contact with the anode and the cathode to form a closed electrical circuit, so as to produce dihydrogen at the cathode from the water taken from the receptacle, to release transdermally the dihydrogen produced. The proposed delivery device is relatively non-invasive, while allowing dihydrogen delivery.

A method of anesthetizing a tympanic membrane of an ear of a patient using iontophoresis is disclosed. The method involves delivering an anesthetizing drug solution to an ear canal of the patient's ear, wherein the drug solution includes an anesthetic and a buffer, and wherein the drug solution has a pH in a range of about 6.5 to about 7.5; and applying an amount of current to the drug solution, wherein the applied amount of current is increased at a rate of less than about 0.5 milliamp per second until a maximum current is achieved.

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.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for nerve conduction block. The systems and methods can utilize at least one renewable electrode. The methods can include delivering a first direct current with a first polarity to an electrode proximate nervous tissue sufficient to block conduction in the nervous tissue. Delivering the first direct current can place the nervous tissue in a hypersuppressed state at least partially preventing conduction of the nervous tissue after cessation of delivering of the first direct current. The nervous tissue can be maintained in the hypersuppressed state for a desired period, such as at least about 1 minute.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for delivering therapy to an adrenal gland of a patient. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a plurality of stimulation elements arranged configured to deliver stimulation energy through at least one of the plurality of stimulation elements to modulate aldosterone levels within the patient.

A device (100) comprising a first electrode (104) provided at or in a source electrolyte (101), and at least one ion conductive channel (103), wherein said first electrolyte (101) is arranged at a first portion (201) of the ion conductive channel (103), and a second electrode (105) provided in a target electrolyte (102), wherein said target electrolyte (102) is arranged at a second portion (202) of the ion conductive channel (103), and wherein said first and second electrodes provides an electrical control of anion flow through the ion conductive channel (103), wherein the device further comprises at least one controlled delivery electrode (114) arranged adjacent to or in the second portion of the ion conductive channel (103), wherein said first and second electrodes further are arranged to provide an electrical control of anion flow through the controlled delivery electrode (114) to the target electrolyte (102), and wherein said controlled delivery electrode (114) is adapted to deliver ions from said ion conductive channel (103) to said target electrolyte (102), and wherein said controlled delivery electrode (114) comprising an electronically and ionically conductive material (107) and an electrical contact (106), wherein said controlled delivery electrode (114) is arranged in ionic contact with, and between, said ion conductive channel (103) and the target electrolyte (102), wherein said electrical contact (106) provides for an electrical control potential (V.sub.CDE) over the controlled delivery electrode (114) to control an ion flow between the controlled delivery electrode (114) and the target electrolyte (102).