Permeabilization of biological membranes
First Claim
1. A method of increasing the permeability of a biological membrane of a human or animal comprising:
- (a) bringing an electrode into the vicinity of the biological membrane, (b) driving a current through the electrode, (c) at least in part as a result of the current, modifying the pH of a fluid in a portion of the biological membrane in the vicinity of the electrode, (d) at least in part as a result of the modified pH, creating a channel in the biological membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment of the invention, electrodes are brought into the vicinity of a biological membrane such as human skin. Through those electrodes, a current is driven. As a result of that current, at one electrode there occurs a reaction in which the pH of the water or other fluid in a small area of the membrane is lowered or raised. The lowered or raised pH causes substances present in the membrane to denature or decompose, resulting in the formation of a channel in the membrane. In another embodiment of the invention, a high volatility fluid is applied to a membrane from the outside. A small area of the membrane is heated. The high volatility fluid expands and then vaporizes. As a result of the expansion and vaporization of the fluid, a channel is created in the membrane.
24 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of increasing the permeability of a biological membrane of a human or animal comprising:
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(a) bringing an electrode into the vicinity of the biological membrane, (b) driving a current through the electrode, (c) at least in part as a result of the current, modifying the pH of a fluid in a portion of the biological membrane in the vicinity of the electrode, (d) at least in part as a result of the modified pH, creating a channel in the biological membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for increasing the permeability of the skin of a biological membrane comprising:
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(a) a plurality of electrodes suitable for applying electrical current to the membrane, (b) an electronic system for energizing the electrodes in a controlled manner so as to cause a current to pass through selected ones of the plurality of electrodes, the current resulting in modifying the pH of a fluid in a portion of the membrane and, at least in part as a result of the modified pH, increasing the permeability of the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of increasing the permeability of a biological membrane comprising:
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(a) applying a biocompatible fluid having a boiling point lower than that of water to a portion of the membrane, (b) heating an area of the membrane to a temperature at least about the vaporization point of the biocompatible fluid, thereby creating at least one channel in the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of increasing the permeability of a biological membrane, comprising:
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(a) bringing a heat sensitive material into contact with the membrane in the vicinity of small heating elements, (b) controlling the temperature of the small heating elements such that the heat sensitive material changes and becomes more able to decompose the biological membrane. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification