| abstract |
The gum pad (10) is a laminate composed of: (a) a synthetic base or backing layer (12) which is configured to be held in place on the gingiva (gums) in the mouth; (b) an intermediate reservoir layer (14) for containing medication (16) therein; and (c) a semi-permeable outer layer (18) facing outwardly towards the oral mucosal tissue (22) in the mouth which will allow saliva to enter and dissolve the medication in the reservoir layer (14) into solution and pass the diffused saliva-medication solution outwardly to the oral mucosal tissue (22). The backing layer is placed on the gum so that the semi-permeable outer layer (18) faces outwardly toward the buccal mucosa (22). Saliva enters the semi-permeable layer (18) and dissolves the medication in the reservoir layer (14), then diffuses outwardly through the semi-permeable layer (18) to the mucosal tissue in the mouth where it is readily absorbed into the circulatory system. The gum pad (10) 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. |