LASER-ASSISTED TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY OF NANOPARTICULATES AND HYDROGELS

• US 20150025444A1
• Filed: 07/18/2013
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hedrick, James L., Wynne, James J., Zupanski-Nielsen, Donna S., Felsenstein, Jerome M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,413,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/201 with beam delivery through a hollow tube, e.g. forming an articulated arm through a flexible conduit A61B18/22; Hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/203 applying laser energy to the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00765 Decreasing the barrier function of skin tissue by radiated energy, e.g. using ultrasound, using laser for skin perforation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0047 Upper parts of the skin, e.g. skin peeling or treatment of wrinkles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/20361 with redirecting based on sensed condition, e.g. tissue analysis or tissue movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/205547 Controller with specific architecture or programmatic algorithm for directing scan path, spot size or shape, or spot intensity, fluence or irradiance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3735 Optical coherence tomography [OCT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0012 Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0023 Drug applicators using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0061 Methods for using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0626 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0627 Dose monitoring systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0632 Constructional aspects of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0613 : Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 : using laser light
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 : Preparations for care of the skin

Abstract

Methods and systems for laser assisted delivery of therapeutic agents include preparing a site with an ultraviolet laser beam, at a wavelength appropriate for tissue ablation, such that an opening is produced in a surface of the site'"'"'s tissue; and applying one or more agents to the prepared site, such that the agents penetrate the tissue through the opening to a predetermined depth.

Claims

1. A method for laser assisted delivery of agents, comprising:

preparing a site with an ultraviolet laser beam, at a wavelength appropriate for tissue ablation, such that an opening is produced in a surface of the site'"'"'s tissue; and

applying one or more agents to the prepared site, such that the agents penetrate the tissue through the opening to a predetermined depth.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more agents are therapeutic or cosmetic substances.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more agents are encapsulated in a biodegradable sheath.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the biodegradable sheath is a hydrogel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the one or more agents comprises spraying the one or more agents from a same aperture as emits the laser beam.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the one or more agents further comprises:

monitoring penetration depth of the one or more agents; and

determining when the one or more agents have penetrated to the predetermined depth.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the one or more agents comprises manually spreading the one or more agents on the prepared site.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of about 193 nm.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising aligning a second laser beam to provide a visual focus indication to ensure that the ultraviolet laser beam irradiates the tissue at pre-determined locations.

10-20. -20. (canceled)