HEALTH CARE

Arthritis Applicator: Dr. Frank Toppo, a former UC Irvine medical school director, knows all too well the old axiom, “Necessity is the mother of all invention.”

Plagued with arthritis in his knee, Toppo developed a new way to administer the pain-relieving drug, capsaicin. The drug is usually given in pill or cream form to relieve arthritic pain.

Toppo came up with a roll-on applicator, much like an underarm deodorant, which spreads the drug directly and deeply into the arthritic joint.

It can also be used for simple back pain, strains, sprains and bruises.

The product, ToppSation, has been tested by the Los Angeles Lakers, Toppo said, and is ready to be marketed if he can find a suitable distributor.

One major pharmaceutical maker has expressed interest in the product, but Toppo said his success at getting the product to mass distribution has been limited.