DRILL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FORMING MICROCONDUITS
First Claim
1. A method for drug delivery which comprises the steps of drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming a microconduit, and administering drug via the formed microconduit.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for drug delivery which comprises the steps of drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming a microconduit, and administering drug via the formed microconduit.
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2. A method of producing microconduits in nails to treat onychomycosis and other infections of the nail and nail bed, which comprises the steps of drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming a microconduit, and treating the nail or nail bed infection with medication.
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3. A method of removing the stratum corneum layer of the skin to permit rapid infusion of drugs into the body, which comprises the steps of drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming at least one microconduit, and infusing drugs into the body through the microconduit.
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4. A method of producing a microconduit in a nail to treat subungual hematomas, which comprises the steps of singly or repeatedly drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming single or a plurality of microconduits to relieve pressure, and infuse drugs into the nail through the microconduit.
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5. A method of removing the stratum corneum from the epidermis to permit iontophoretic infusion of drugs into the body over a lengthy time period, which comprises the steps of drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming a microconduit, and placing a iontophoretic device over the microconduit to permit iontophoretic infusion of drugs into the body.
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6. A method of removing the stratum corneum from the epidermis to permit electroporation of the skin to deliver drugs into the body over a lengthy time period, which comprises the steps of drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming a microconduit, and treating the microconduit containing area with means to permit electroporation of the skin to deliver drugs into the body.
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7. A method of removing the stratum corneum from the epidermis to permit pressurized delivery of drugs into the body, which comprises the steps of drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming a microconduit, and providing means for the pressurized delivery of drugs into the body through the microconduit.
- 8. A method of removing the stratum corneum from the epidermis to permit rapid infusion of an anesthetic agent into the body under no pressure, which comprises the steps of drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming a microconduit, and topically administering an anesthetic to the site of the microconduit.
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10. A method of removing the stratum corneum from the epidermis to permit long term diffusion of drugs into the body, comprising the steps of drilling into a target area, monitoring an electrical impedance of the target area, stopping the drilling into the target area when a change in the electrical impedance is detected, thereby forming a microconduit, and placing a drug containing patch over the microconduit to permit long term diffusion of drugs into the body.
Specification