Microporation of human skin for drug delivery and monitoring applications
First Claim
1. An apparatus for forming micropores in a selected area of the stratum corneum for enhancing the permeability of the skin, the apparatus comprising a heat conducting element to be placed in substantial physical contact with the selected area to deliver sufficient energy by conduction to said selected area such that the temperature of tissue-bound water and other vaporizable substances in said selected area is elevated above the vaporization point of said water and other vaporizable substances thereby removing the stratum corneum and forming at least one micropore 1-1000 μ
- m across in said selected area of said stratum corneum.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of enhancing the permeability of the skin to an analyte for diagnostic purposes or to a drug for therapeutic purposes is described utilizing microporation and optionally sonic energy and a chemical enhancer. If selected, the sonic energy may be modulated by means of frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and/or combinations thereof. Microporation is accomplished by (a) ablating the stratum corneum by localized rapid heating of water such that such water is vaporized, thus eroding the cells; (b) puncturing the stratum corneum with a micro-lancet calibrated to form a micropore of up to about 1000 μm in diameter; (c) ablating the stratum corneum by focusing a tightly focused beam of sonic energy onto the stratum corneum; (d) hydraulically puncturing the stratum corneum with a high pressure jet of fluid to form a micropore of up to about 1000 μm in diameter, or (e) puncturing the stratum corneum with short pulses of electricity to form a micropore of up to about 1000 μm in diameter. A dye with an absorption maximum matched to the wavelength of a pulsed light source can be absorbed into the stratum corneum to concentrate the energy of the pulsed light source and aid in ablation of the stratum corneum. Alternatively, a hot wire can be caused to contact the stratum corneum.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An apparatus for forming micropores in a selected area of the stratum corneum for enhancing the permeability of the skin, the apparatus comprising a heat conducting element to be placed in substantial physical contact with the selected area to deliver sufficient energy by conduction to said selected area such that the temperature of tissue-bound water and other vaporizable substances in said selected area is elevated above the vaporization point of said water and other vaporizable substances thereby removing the stratum corneum and forming at least one micropore 1-1000 μ
- m across in said selected area of said stratum corneum.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
Specification