Using ultrasound shear-waves to enhance skin permeability

Abstract

Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. A system includes a medicament-eluting device configured to be positioned at a location on a skin of a mammal. The system includes an ultrasonic wave transmitter configured to emit ultrasonic shear waves directable at the location. The ultrasonic shear waves have a frequency or amplitude selected to increase a permeability of the skin of the mammal to a medicament released by the medicament-eluting device. In an embodiment, the system includes a structure carrying the medicament-eluting device and the ultrasonic wave transmitter. In an embodiment, the system includes a cavitation sensor configured to detect a cavitation event in the mammal. In an embodiment, the system includes a cavitation controller configured to limit a power of the ultrasonic shear waves directed at the location to a level below a cavitation threshold of the mammal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.