Patent ID: 6712805
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: A61B,A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for sonoporation for intradermal delivery of a microparticles suspension containing microencapsulated drugs comprising: (1) providing a container having a first end and a second end, said second end being covered with a porous membrane covered by a removable protective film and containing said microparticles suspension; (2) submerging a removably connected tip of an ultrasound horn in said microparticles suspension containing microencapsulated drugs through said first end of the container; (3) placing said porous membrane in contact with said skin area; and (4) applying ultrasound radiation to said microparticles suspension containing microencapsulated drugs wherein said ultrasound radiation is applied at a frequency, an intensity, for a period of time, and at a distance from the skin, effective to generate cavitation bubbles, wherein said cavitation bubbles collapse and transfer their energy into the skin area thus causing the formation of pores in the skin area; and wherein said ultrasound radiation intensity and distance from the skin area are also effective in generating ultrasonic jets, said ultrasonic jets driving said microparticles suspension containing microencapsulated drugs through a porous membrane and said formed pores into the skin area, further comprising removing said protective film before placing said membrane in contact with the skin area.