Ultrasound enhancement of transdermal transport
First Claim
1. A device for enhancing transdermal transport, comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer that provides an ultrasound beam having a first diameter and an energy; and
a chamber having walls arranged and adapted to geometrically channel the ultrasound beam so that the beam has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter and the beam retains at least 50% of the energy;
wherein the ultrasound beam having a smaller diameter is applied to the skin.
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Abstract
Methods and devices for application of ultrasound to a small area of skin for enhancing transdermal transport. An ultrasound beam having a first focal diameter is channelled into a beam having a second, smaller diameter without substantial loss of energy. Higher energy ultrasound can be used while causing less pain. Alternatively, ultrasound energy is applied through a vibrating element positioned just contacting, above or extending into the skin. Use of the element facilitates extraction of analyte and may enhance drug delivery. A two step noninvasive method involves application of ultrasound to increase skin permeability and removal of ultrasound followed by transdermal transport that can be further enhanced using a physical enhancer.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A device for enhancing transdermal transport, comprising:
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an ultrasound transducer that provides an ultrasound beam having a first diameter and an energy; and
a chamber having walls arranged and adapted to geometrically channel the ultrasound beam so that the beam has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter and the beam retains at least 50% of the energy;
wherein the ultrasound beam having a smaller diameter is applied to the skin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for application to the skin for enhancing transdermal transport, comprising:
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an ultrasound transducer geometrically configured to direct an ultrasound beam of about 20 kHz to 200 kHz to an area on the skin about 100 μ
m to one cm in diameter; and
a cavity between the transducer and the skin containing a coupling medium. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of enhancing transdermal transport, comprising the steps:
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providing an ultrasound beam having a frequency from about 20 kHz to 2 MHz and a first diameter;
geometrically channeling the ultrasound beam to a second diameter of between about 100 μ
m and one cm that is smaller than the first diameter wherein the energy of the beam does not decrease more than about 50%; and
applying the channeled beam to an area of skin.
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14. A device for enhancing transdermal transport, comprising:
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a transducer producing energy at a frequency between about 1 kHz and 100 kHz; and
at least one element arranged to receive energy from the transducer and transmit vibrations to the skin. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of enhancing transdermal transport, comprising the steps:
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providing a transducer that delivers ultrasound energy at a frequency in the range of from one kHz to 100 kHz;
transferring the ultrasound energy to an element, causing the element to vibrate; and
applying the vibrations produced by the element to the skin. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of effecting transdermal transport, comprising the steps:
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applying ultrasound to an area of skin to make the skin more permeable;
removing the ultrasound; and
applying a transdermal transport driving force selected from the group consisting of additional ultrasound, suction, osmotic pressure gradient, iontophoresis, electroporation, magnetic field and mechanical pressure.
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Specification