CA2187023A1 — Temporally controlled drug delivery systems

USPTO Abstract

A delivery mechanism and device for the passive periodic release of a drug or an active ingredient which avoids the need for external power sources and/or electronic controllers. By taking advantage of oscillating chemical systems, one can change the pH of a solution, a drug, enhancer or solubilizer resulting in oscillating the ability of an active ingredient to be delivered transdermally. The pH of a solution can be oscillated over a range of pH values from 2 to 10 by the reduction and oxidation (redox) reactions of salts, such as permanganates, iodates, sulfates, chlorates, or bromates. Upon activation, the delivery system conditions begin to oscillate and with it, the delivery of the active agent oscillates.