Ultrasound-Mediated Transcleral Drug Delivery
AssigneeThe Curators of the University of Missouri
InventorsDaniel Lindgren, Ashim K. Mitra
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to processes, systems, and apparatuses for transcieral delivery of pharmaceutical formulations to the eye using ultrasound. In one embodiment, a transducer is placed in contact with a coupling media contained in a coupling well in contact with the sclera. When the transducer is placed at a desired standoff distance, ultrasonic waves are emitted to increase tissue porosity and transport a pharmaceutical formulation through the scleral tissue and into the eye. In another embodiment, a function generator is coupled to an amplifier, a matching network, and a transducer configured to maximize the cavitation effect of ultrasonic waves for drug delivery across a sclera.
Claims20
A method for delivering one or more pharmaceutical agents to an eye through its sclera, comprising:
- filling a coupling well with a coupling media and a pharmaceutical formulation;
- placing an ultrasonic-wave-generating device in contact with the coupling media and within a desired standoff distance from the sclera;
- and
- using the ultrasonic wave-generating device to transport the pharmaceutical formulation into the eye through the sclera.
An ultrasonic transcleral drug delivery system, comprising:
- a function generator capable of generating electrical signals from algorithms;
- an amplifier capable of increasing the intensity of the electrical signals;
- a matching network capable of modifying the impedance of the electrical signals;
- a transducer capable of emitting ultrasonic waves from the electrical signals, wherein the transducer has a tip shaped to enhance transport of a pharmaceutical formulation through scleral tissue;
- and a coupling well capable of holding a coupling media containing the pharmaceutical formulation and adapted to allow the transducer to be positioned so as to provide a desired standoff distance from the scleral tissue.
An ultrasonic pharmaceutical-transport apparatus for delivering pharmaceutical formulations through a sclera, comprising:
- an ultrasonic wave source capable of generating ultrasonic waves at a plurality of frequencies;
- an ultrasonic transducer tip having a concave curvature approximating the curvature of a human eye;
- a pre-configured cartridge adapted for containing a volume of a coupling media and a pharmaceutical formulation to be delivered through the sclera of the human eye, wherein the pre-configured cartridge positions the transducer tip at a pre-determined standoff distance from the sclera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.