Patent ID: 6484052
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A method for enhancing drug delivery, comprising:inserting a fiber optic to a drug delivery point within a medium, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said medium is selected from a group consisting of a portion of a human body and a portion of an animal body; delivering a drug to said drug delivery point; and coupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 100 Hz to 1 MHz, (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm, (iii) a pulse duration within the range of 1 fs to 1 ms and (iv) a-fluence within the range of 0.01 J/cm2 to 25 J/cm2, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field within said medium, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through one or more mechanisms selected from a group consisting of thermoelastic expansion within said medium and superheated vapor expansion within said medium, wherein said acoustic radiation field enhances drug delivery to surrounding cells.