Transmembrane transport apparatus and method

• US 20020099356A1
• Filed: 01/19/2001
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Imarx Therapeutics, Inc. (Sycamore Entertainment Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Imarx Therapeutics, Inc. (Sycamore Entertainment Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wu, Yunqiu, Unger, Evan C.
• Application Number:
  US09/766,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20020099356A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/501
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00765 Decreasing the barrier function of skin tissue by radiated energy, e.g. using ultrasound, using laser for skin perforation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1086 having a special balloon surface topography, e.g. pores, protuberances, spikes or grooves
• 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 25/104 used for angioplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0092 using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic vibrations, e.g. phonophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis

Abstract

A drug delivery device and method comprising first creating channels or pores across a biological membrane and secondly creating a driving force to propel drugs across or withdraw biological fluids through the membrane.

Claims

1. A drug delivery method comprising the steps of:

a. creating pores across a biological membrane,

b. applying a drug from a reservoir to the biological membrane, and

c. exerting a pressure upon the drug, thereby transferring the drug through the membrane.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pores are created by an array of microneedles.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pores are created by a stream of compressed gas.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pores are created by burning holes in the membrane.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure generated in step c is in the form of ultrasound.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure generated in step c is in the form of static pressure.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the static pressure is generated through expansion of a gas.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said gas expansion is controlled by a heating element.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said static pressure is generated by an actuator acting upon the drug from the reservoir to generate hydrostatic pressure.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is in the form of a patch.

11. A method for sampling biological fluids, comprising the steps of:

a. applying microneedles to tissue of a patient; and

b. applying energy adapted to produce a negative pressure upon the tissue from a power source such that the biological fluids are withdrawn from the tissue.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the negative pressure is produced by electricity.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the negative pressure is produced by ultrasound.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the negative pressure is produced by a combination of ultrasound and electricity.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising measuring a concentration of a biomolecule within the biological fluids.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of an electrolyte, a hormone, a peptide, or a protein.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the biomolecule comprises sodium, potassium, a hydrogen ion, Hemoglobin A-1C, an interferon, an interleukin, insulin, a growth factor, herceptin, or an antibody.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

a. measuring a concentration of biological indicators in the biological fluids with a first device, and

b. relaying information about the concentration of said indicators from the first device to a second device, wherein concentration inputs are used to control energy output of the second device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first and second devices are of unitary construction.

12. A method for sampling biological fluids, comprising the steps of:

a. making pores in the surface of a biological membrane; and

b. applying a negative pressure to a surface of the biological membrane.

21. A method of in vivo drug delivery into targeted cells, said method comprising application of a pulsed electric field and ultrasonic waves substantially contemporaneously with administration of a drug, such that the drug is introduced into the targeted cells.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the ultrasonic waves are 50 kHz to 10 MHz in frequency.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the ultrasonic waves are 0.5 MHz to 2 MHz in frequency.

24. Live cells treated by the method of claim 21.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein said means includes a wireless network.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein said means includes a means for measureing a concentration of a biological molecule.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the source of electricity is a piezoelectric material.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the source of ultrasonic energy is adapted to act upon the piezoelectric material.

31. The device of claim 28, wherein the drug delivery device is portable.

25. A controllable programmable drug delivery device, comprising an array of microneedles, an energy source, and means for controlling delivery of power to the device.

28. An all-in-one drug delivery device for administering drugs or withdrawing biological fluids through a biological membrane, comprising

a. a source of ultrasonic energy adapted to act on the membrane,

b. a source of electricity,

c. at least two microneedles, the microneedles being connected to said source of electricity, and

d. a drug reservoir in fluid connection with said microneedles.

32. A drug delivery device for application to a biological membrane, comprising

a microneedle array;

a drug reservoir in fluid connection with said microneedle array; and

an ultrasonic transducer configured to contact the biological membrane with sound waves.