Inventors:
Alayne Yates - Honolulu HI
International Classification:
A01N 2534, A61F 1300, A61F 200
Abstract:
The Gum Pad is a laminate composed of: (a) a synthetic base or backing layer which is configured to be held in place on the gingiva (gums) in the mouth; (b) an intermediate, reservoir layer for containing medication therein; and (c) a semi-permeable outer layer facing outwardly toward oral mucosal tissues in the mouth which will allow saliva to enter and dissolve the medication in the reservoir layer into solution and pass the diffused saliva-medication solution outwardly to the oral mucosal tissues. The backing layer is placed on the gum so that the semi-permeable outer layer faces outwardly toward the buccal mucosa. Saliva enters the semi-permeable layer and dissolves the medication in the reservoir layer, then diffuses outwardly through the semi-permeable layer to the mucosal tissues in the mouth where it is readily absorbed into the circulatory system. The Gum Pad can be used for the topical or systemic delivery of a wide range of pharmaceutical and nutritional agents, for the treatment of a variety of human disorders and diseases.