Controlled removal of biological membrane by pyrotechnic charge for transmembrane transport
First Claim
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1. A method for forming openings in a selected area of a biological membrane for enhancing the permeability of the biological membrane, comprising the steps of:
- a) placing a pyrotechnic element in close proximity with the selected area of the biological membrane; and
b) triggering said pyrotechnic element to explode in a controlled manner and thereby form at least one opening in the biological membrane in the selected area.
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Abstract
A method and device for forming artificial openings in a biological membrane with a pyrotechnic charge that is exploded in a controlled manner in proximity of the biological membrane to form the artificial opening(s) therein. The method and device are useful in connection with transdermal delivery and monitoring applications.
80 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for forming openings in a selected area of a biological membrane for enhancing the permeability of the biological membrane, comprising the steps of:
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a) placing a pyrotechnic element in close proximity with the selected area of the biological membrane; and
b) triggering said pyrotechnic element to explode in a controlled manner and thereby form at least one opening in the biological membrane in the selected area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
a) providing a substrate, the pyrotechnic element, and a trigger device, the substrate having a lower surface and an opposed upper surface, the pyrotechnic element disposed on either the upper or lower surface of the substrate, wherein the trigger device is operatively connected to the pyrotechnic element; and
applying the lower surface of said substrate to the selected area of the biological membrane so that the pyrotechnic element is fixed in relation to the biological membrane when detonated.
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6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying an enhancer to said artificial opening.
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7. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of applying a permeant to the artificial opening.
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8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of collecting fluid from said artificial opening.
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9. The method of claim 8, and further comprising the step of monitoring analyte in the fluid.
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10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pyrotechnic element comprises a mixture of zirconium powder and potassium perchlorate combined with a nitrocellulose binder in an organic solvent, or nitroglycerin.
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11. The method of claim 1, wherein triggering of said pyrotechnic element is accomplished by a trigger device, wherein the trigger device comprises an electrical trigger, an optical trigger, a percussive trigger, or a thermal trigger.
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12. The method of claim 11, wherein the trigger device comprises at least two electrically conductive elements that are electrically coupled to the pyrotechnic element.
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13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least two conductive elements are part of a sensor for detecting an analye in a biological fluid collected from the artificial openings.
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14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least two conductive elements are suitable for connection to electrical energy treating the biological membrane with iontophoresis or electroporation energy.
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15. The method of claim 12, where the conductive elements comprise platinum, carbon or platinum/carbon.
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16. The method of claim 11, wherein the trigger device comprises a laser source that emits a laser beam onto the pyrotechnic element.
Specification