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.