System and method for optimizing tissue barrier transfer of compounds

A method of measuring tissue barrier transfer of a sample, comprising:

• preparing an array of samples, each sample comprising an active component and at least one additional component, wherein each sample differs from at least one other sample with respect to at least one of
• the identity of the active component,
• the identity of the additional components,
• the ratio of the active component to the additional component, or
• the physical state of the active component;
• overlaying the array of samples with a tissue specimen;
• securing a reservoir plate to a side of the tissue specimen opposite the array of samples, the reservoir plate having an array of reservoirs corresponding to the array of samples;
• filling the array of reservoirs with a reservoir medium;
• and
• measuring concentration of one or more sample components in each reservoir to determine transfer of said sample components from each sample across the tissue specimen.

A method of analyzing tissue barrier flux of a sample, comprising:

• preparing an array of samples, each sample comprising a component-in-common and at least one additional component, wherein each sample differs from at least one other sample with respect to at least one of:
• the identity of the additional components,
• the ratio of the component-in-common to the additional component, or
• the physical state of the component-in-common;
• overlaying the array of samples with a tissue specimen;
• securing a reservoir plate to a side of the tissue specimen opposite the array of samples, the reservoir plate having an array of reservoirs corresponding to the array of samples;
• filling the array of reservoirs with a reservoir medium;
• and
• measuring concentration of the component-in-common in each reservoir as a function of time to determine flux of the component-in-common from each sample across the tissue specimen.

A method of determining tissue barrier flux of a component, comprising:

• preparing an array of samples, each sample comprising a component-in-common and at least one additional component, wherein each sample differs from at least one other sample with respect to at least one of:
• the identity of the additional components,
• the ratio of the component-in-common to the additional component, or
• the physical state of the component-in-common;
• overlaying the array of samples with a tissue specimen;
• and
• determining flux of the component-in-common from a first sample in said array of samples across a tissue specimen.

A method of determining optimal transdermal compositions or formulations, comprising:

• preparing an array of samples, each sample comprising an active component and at least one additional component, wherein each sample differs from at least one other sample with respect to at least one of:
• the identity of the active component,
• the identity of the additional components,
• the ratio of the active component to the additional component, or
• the physical state of the active component;
• overlaying the array of samples with skin tissue;
• and
• determining flux of the active component from each sample in said array of samples across the skin tissue to determine an optimal transdermal formulation.

A method of determining optimal transdermal compositions or formulations, comprising:

• preparing an array of samples, each sample comprising an component-in-common and at least one additional component, wherein each sample differs from at least one other sample with respect to at least one of:
• the identity of the additional components,
• the ratio of the component-in-common to the additional component, or
• the physical state of the component-in-common;
• overlaying the array of samples with a skin tissue;
• and
• determining flux of the component-in-common from each sample in said array of samples across the skin tissue to determine an optimal transdermal formulation.

An apparatus for measuring transfer of components across a tissue, comprising:

• a base plate;
• a spacer plate;
• an array of solid source samples supported by the spacer plate;
• a tissue specimen overlaying the array of samples;
• a reservoir plate secured to a side of the tissue specimen opposite the array of samples, the reservoir plate having an array of reservoirs;
• and
• a clamping means for creating a seal between the reservoir plate and the tissue specimen.