ELECTROTRANSPORT SYSTEM WITH REMOTE TELEMETRY LINK

An electrotransport system (20) for delivering a therapeutic agent (36) through a body surface (40) (eg, skin) of a patient includes a pair of electrodes (34, 38) for contacting the body surface, at least one of which contains the therapeutic agent (36). The system (20) is physically separated into a control unit (22) and a delivery unit (24) connected by a radiated energy signal-based telemetry link. The telemetry link may be radio frequency, ultrasonic, optical, infrared or inductively coupled. Signals from the control unit may be transmitted to the delivery unit by the telemetry link, or vice versa. The delivery unit may control electrotransport current on the signal transmitted. The radiated energy signal may be encoded to improve immunity to extrinsic interference. The delivery unit (24) may be configured with sensor means for detecting a condition such as a body or system parameter reaching some predetermined limit. The delivery unit (24) may also have an additional telemetry link connecting to the control unit (22) for transmitting the system or body status condition to the control unit. Visual or audio indicators may be provided on the control unit (22) for indication of system or body status conditions detected and transmitted by the delivery unit (24).