Design and evaluation of an affordable and programmable mobile device, capable of delivering constant current and high voltage electric pulses of different waveforms for biomedical and clinical applications

Incorporating electroporation, iontophoresis and reverse iontophoresis systems for development of new generation of low-cost medical devices, has ushered in a new era of affordable healthcare, as these systems permit noninvasive monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of patients. However, at present, these systems still need to be integrated to maximize their functions. Hence, this study is formulated to design, construct and evaluate a low-cost (US$ 60), compact (15 × 9 × 5 cm) and programmable mobile device for delivery of constant current and high voltage electric pulses for biomedical and clinical applications. Results from this study show that the designed device can administer electrical pulses, for electroporation, iontophoresis and reverse iontophoresis, of adjustable high-voltages (10–300 V with 1% error) and constant currents (10–300 μA with 1% error) of different programmable waveforms, with good accuracy of timing (3% error for time ≥ 100 μs). In addition, in vitro evaluations of the designed device showed it capable of functioning desirably over a wide range of impedance, compatible to that for in vivo human use; together with in vivo demonstration of its possible biomedical and clinical applications, such as gene transfection, transdermal delivery of useful molecules/drugs in noninvasive treatments (e.g. insulin and vitamin C) and transdermal extraction of metabolites/biomarkers (e.g. urea) for noninvasive monitoring or diagnosis.