System uses DC electricity to deliver drugs through skin
Soterix Medical has won clearance from the FDA to introduce its IontoDC iontophoresis medication delivery system. Mostly meant for introducing soluble salt ions, but also fentanyl for pain control, into the body, the device relies on battery power to generate low current (up to 2 milliamperes) electricity that with it moves the drugs through the skin. The current can be adjusted between 1 and 2 milliamperes, depending on the drug to be delivered, as well as the amount of time the current is activated.
The device constantly monitors and displays the electric current supplied, as well as the resistance of the body between the electrodes that indicates how well the skin is contact with the cathode and anode.
As the device is activated, it ramps up the current gently over the first thirty seconds of treatment and does the opposite at the end of the session. This helps to avoid any undue excitement by the patient, essentially resulting in a barely felt therapy.