Apparatus and method for the delivery of drugs and genes into tissue

An apparatus for trans-surface molecular delivery, comprising:

• a first electrode assembly, comprising:
• a non-conductive carrier having a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a first and a second plurality of through holes from the proximal surface to the distal surface;
• a first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the distal surface and extending through at least one of the first and a second plurality of through holes and onto at least a portion of the proximal surface for engaging a tissue surface through which to apply an electric field;
• and
• a second electrode disposed on at least a portion of the proximal surface and in closely spaced relation with the first electrode for engaging a tissue surface through which to apply an electric field;
• a first power supply connected to the first electrode assembly for applying a pulsed electric field of sufficient amplitude to induce pores in the tissue surface;
• and
• means for driving molecules through pores in the tissue surface, wherein the through holes enable the passage of a fluid from the distal surface separately to the surface of the respective electrode on the proximal surface.

An apparatus for trans-surface molecular delivery, comprising:

• a first electrode assembly, comprising:
• a non-conductive carrier having a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a plurality of through holes from the proximal surface to the distal surface;
• a first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the distal surface and extending through at least a portion of the plurality of through holes and onto at least a portion of the proximal surface, and
• a second electrode disposed on at least a portion of the proximal surface and in closely spaced relation with the first electrode for engaging a tissue surface through which to apply an electric field;
• a first power supply connected to the first electrode assembly for applying a pulsed electric field of sufficient amplitude to induce pores in the tissue surface;
• and
• means for driving molecules through pores in the tissue surface, wherein said means for driving comprises:
• a second electrode assembly spaced from the first electrode assembly and comprising at least one of an anode and a cathode;
• and
• a second power supply connected to the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly for applying a low voltage continuous electric field of a preselected polarity and sufficient amplitude to induce migration of molecules through pores in the tissue surface.

An apparatus for trans-surface molecular delivery, comprising:

• a first electrode assembly, comprising:
• a non-conductive carrier having a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a plurality of through holes from the proximal surface to the distal surface;
• a first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the distal surface and extending through at least a portion of the plurality of through holes and onto at least a portion of the proximal surface, and
• a second electrode disposed on at least a portion of the proximal surface and in closely spaced relation with the first electrode for engaging a tissue surface through which to apply an electric field;
• a first power supply connected to the first electrode assembly for applying a pulsed electric field of sufficient amplitude to induce pores in the tissue surface;
• and
• means for driving molecules through pores in the tissue surface, wherein means for driving comprises a pressure source adapted to be in communication with the tissue surface via the plurality of through holes in the carrier of the first electrode assembly for applying pressure of a sufficient amplitude and duration to induce migration of molecules through pores in the tissue surface.

An apparatus for trans-surface molecular delivery, comprising:

• a first electrode assembly, comprising:
• a non-conductive carrier having a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a plurality of through holes from the proximal surface to the distal surface;
• a first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the distal surface and extending through at least a portion of the plurality of through holes and onto at least a portion of the proximal surface, and
• a second electrode disposed on at least a portion of the proximal surface and in closely spaced relation with the first electrode for engaging a tissue surface through which to apply an electric field;
• a first power supply connected to the first electrode assembly for applying a pulsed electric field of sufficient amplitude to induce pores in the tissue surface;
• and
• means for driving molecules through pores in the tissue surface, wherein means for driving comprises an ultrasound source for applying ultrasound of a sufficient amplitude and duration to induce migration of molecules through pores in the tissue surface.

An apparatus for trans-surface molecular delivery, comprising:

• a first electrode assembly, comprising:
• a non-conductive carrier having a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a plurality of through holes from the proximal surface to the distal surface;
• a first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the distal surface and extending through at least a portion of the plurality of through holes and onto at least a portion of the proximal surface, and
• a second electrode disposed on at least a portion of the proximal surface and in closely spaced relation with the first electrode for engaging a tissue surface through which to apply an electric field;
• a first power supply connected to the first electrode assembly for applying a pulsed electric field of sufficient amplitude to induce pores in the tissue surface;
• and
• means for driving molecules through pores in the tissue surface, means for driving comprises means for electroincorporation of molecules for applying electroincorporation of a sufficient amplitude and duration to induce migration of particles containing molecules through pores in the tissue surface.

A method of trans-surface molecular delivery, comprising:

• providing a first electrode assembly, comprising:
• a non-conductive carrier having a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a first plurality and a second plurality of through holes from the proximal surface to the distal surface;
• a first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the distal surface and extending through at least one of the first and second plurality of through holes and onto at least a portion of the proximal surface;
• and
• a second electrode disposed on at least a portion of the proximal surface and in closely spaced relation with the first electrode;
• engaging a tissue surface with the first electrode assembly;
• introducing molecules through at least one of the first and second plurality of through holes and onto at least a portion of the proximal surface;
• providing a first power supply connected to the first electrode assembly;
• applying a pulsed electric field via the first electrode assembly of sufficient amplitude to induce pores in the tissue surface;
• providing means for driving molecules through pores in the tissue surface;
• and
• applying means for driving to induce migration of molecules through pores in the tissue surface.