Localized molecular and ionic transport to and from tissues
First Claim
1. A method for forming at least one microconduit in a tissue, comprising the steps of:
- a) accelerating a plurality of microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to penetrate a region of a tissue surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the tissue surface;
b) directing the microparticles towards the region of tissue surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the tissue; and
c) scissioning the tissue with the impinging microparticles, thereby forming a plurality of free microtissue particles, and thereby forming a microconduit.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and devices used for the formation of microconduits in a tissue. The term “microconduit” refers to a small opening, channel, or hole into, or through, a tissue, that allows transfer of materials by liquid flow, and by electrophoresis, the microconduit being formed upon impact of a plurality of accelerated microparticles with the surface of the tissue. A method is described for forming at least one microconduit in tissue including the steps of: accelerating a plurality of microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to penetrate a region of tissue surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the tissue surface; and directing the microparticle towards the region of tissue surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the tissue and form a microconduit in the tissue. According to an embodiment, microparticles are accelerated by being hit with a moving, solid surface. In another embodiment, microparticles are accelerated by a flowing gas or liquid. Also described are methods and devices for using microconduits to deliver therapeutic molecules and ions into tissue, or for extraction of chemical analytes out of tissue. Also described is a method of nail piercing to accommodate jewelry.
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Citations
90 Claims
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1. A method for forming at least one microconduit in a tissue, comprising the steps of:
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a) accelerating a plurality of microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to penetrate a region of a tissue surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the tissue surface;
b) directing the microparticles towards the region of tissue surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the tissue; and
c) scissioning the tissue with the impinging microparticles, thereby forming a plurality of free microtissue particles, and thereby forming a microconduit. - 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, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for forming at least one opening in the stratum corneum of skin comprising the steps of:
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a) accelerating a plurality of microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to penetrate a region of a skin surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the skin surface;
b) directing the microparticles towards the region of skin surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the skin; and
c) scissioning the skin with the impinging microparticles, thereby forming a plurality of free microtissue particles, and thereby forming a microconduit in the skin. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
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75. A method of delivering a therapeutic molecule or ion to tissue, comprising the steps of:
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a) accelerating a plurality of microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to penetrate a region of a tissue surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the tissue surface;
b) directing the microparticles towards the region of tissue surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the tissue;
c) scissioning the tissue with the impinging microparticles, thereby forming a plurality of free microtissue particles, and thereby forming a microconduit; and
d) administering at least one therapeutic molecule or ion by directing the therapeutic molecule or ion into at least one microconduit, thereby delivering a therapeutic molecule or ion to tissue. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82)
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83. A method of transdermal delivery of a therapeutic molecule or ion, comprising the steps of:
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a) accelerating a plurality of non-drug containing microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to completely penetrate a region of a skin surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the skin surface;
b) directing the microparticles towards the region of the skin surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the skin;
c) scissioning the skin with the impinging microparticles, thereby forming a plurality of free microtissue particles, and thereby forming one or more microconduits; and
d) administering at least one therapeutic molecule or ion by directing the therapeutic molecule or ion into at least one of said microconduits, thereby delivering therapeutic molecule or ion through the stratum corneum. - View Dependent Claims (84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90)
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Specification