Methods and Systems for Modulating Medicants Using Acoustic Energy

• US 20160015954A1
• Filed: 09/29/2015
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Slayton, Michael H., Barthe, Peter G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,907,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• 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 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0092 using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic vibrations, e.g. phonophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0043 intra-cavitary
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0056 Beam shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

This invention provides methods and systems uniquely capable of enhancing medicant delivery and/or effectiveness through the use of energy to predictably disrupt membranes and mechanically and thermally modulate cells and tissues. In exemplary embodiments, the methods and systems disclosed herein are capable of modulating multiple layers of tissue. In an exemplary embodiment, the energy is acoustic energy (e.g., ultrasound). In other exemplary embodiments, the energy is photon based energy (e.g., IPL, LED, laser, white light, etc.), or other energy forms, such radio frequency electric currents, or various combinations of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy and other energy forms or energy absorbers such as cooling. Medicants can be first introduced to the region of interest by diffusion, circulation, and/or injection. An exemplary system for enhancing medicant delivery and/or effectiveness comprises a control system, a probe, and a display or indicator system. Imaging and/or monitoring may alternatively be coupled and/or co-housed with an ultrasound system contemplated by the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing medicant delivery and/or effectiveness comprising the steps of:

providing a source of acoustic energy;

presenting a medicant to a cell membrane or tissue; and

focusing said acoustic energy from said source to a plurality of depths within said cell membrane or tissue, wherein said acoustic energy is in the range of about 100 kHz to about 500 MHz, wherein said plurality of depths are each in the range of about 0 mm to about 100 mm;

wherein the delivery and/or effectiveness of said medicant is enhanced.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said medicant is presented to said cell membrane or tissue by diffusion.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of coupling said source to said cell membrane or tissue with a coupling agent, wherein said coupling agent comprises said medicant.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said medicant is presented to said cell membrane or tissue by circulation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said medicant is presented to said cell membrane or tissue by injection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said medicant is a chemical naturally occurring or already existing within the body.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said chemical is one of a cell, amino acid, protein, antibody, mineral, and vitamin.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the permeability and/or transparency of said cell membrane or tissue is increased.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said acoustic energy is in the range of about 200 kHz to about 20 MHz.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of depths are in the range of about 20 mm to about 30 mm.

11. A method for delivering a medicant to a region of interest within a cell membrane or tissue comprising the steps of:

providing a source of acoustic energy;

presenting a medicant to said cell membrane or tissue; and

focusing said acoustic energy from said source to a first depth within said cell membrane or tissue, wherein said acoustic energy has a first spatial and temporal energy profile;

wherein delivery of said medicant to said region of interest is enhanced.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of focusing said acoustic energy from said source to a second depth within said cell membrane or tissue, wherein said acoustic energy has a second spatial and temporal energy profile.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said probe is further configured for imaging and/or monitoring.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said acoustic energy is in the range of about 100 kHz to about 500 MHz.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said acoustic energy is in the range of about 200 kHz to about 20 MHz.

13. A system for enhancing medicant delivery and/or effectiveness comprising:

a control system configured for control of said system;

a probe configured to output acoustic energy and thereby predictably disrupt a plurality of cell membranes or tissues, wherein said plurality of cell membranes or tissues are at a plurality of depths below a skin surface; and

a display system;

wherein said probe is coupled to said skin surface with a gel or cream, and wherein said gel or cream comprises said medicant.