Laser assisted pharmaceutical delivery and fluid removal
AssigneeTransmedica International, Inc.
InventorsKevin S. Marchitto, Stephen T. Flock
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides an improved method of removing fluids, gases or other biomolecules, or delivering a pharmaceutical composition, through the skin of a patient without the use of a sharp or needle. The method includes the step of irradiating the stratum corneum, an applied pharmaceutical or an absorbing material, using a laser. By selection of parameters, the laser irradiates the selected material or tissue to create pressure gradients, plasma, cavitation bubbles, or other forms of tissue ablation or alteration. These methods increase the diffusion of pharmaceuticals into, or fluids, gases or other biomolecules out of, the body. For this invention, a pharmaceutical composition can be applied to the skin before or after laser irradiation.
Claims77
A method for preparing the skin for treatment of cutaneous or subcutaneous compounds, comprising the steps of:
- a) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to alter the skin at least as deep as the stratum corneum, but not as deep as the capillary layer;
- b) firing the laser to create a site of alteration, the site having a diameter of between 0.5 microns and 5.0 cm;
- c) applying a dye, a compound that alters the optical properties of stratum corneum, or a compound that stimulates the body's production of molecules that are strong absorbers of light;
- and
- d) firing a second laser with a wavelength that is absorbed by the applied dye, the compound that stimulates the optical properties of stratum corneum or the compound that stimulates the body's production of molecules that are strong absorbers of light.
A method for increasing the diffusion of bodily fluids out of, or compounds into, the skin, comprising the steps of:
- a) applying a compound or an absorbing material to a targeted tissue site;
- b) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to create a pressure gradient within the stratum corneum, in the applied compound, or in the optional absorbing material;
- and
- c) firing the laser with at least one short rapid pulse to create the pressure gradient.
A method for increasing the diffusion of bodily fluids out of, or compounds into, the skin, comprising the steps of:
- a) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to create plasma in an optional absorbing material on or over a targeted tissue site;
- b) firing the laser with at least one short rapid pulse to create a site of plasma, the site having a diameter of between 0.5 microns and 5 mm;
- and
- c) removing bodily fluids from the targeted tissue or applying a compound to the targeted tissue.
A method for increasing the diffusion of bodily fluids out of, or compounds into, the skin, comprising the steps of:
- a) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to create cavitation bubbles in an applied compound, or in an optional absorbing material on or over a targeted tissue site;
- b) firing the laser with at least one short rapid pulse to create a site of cavitation bubbles, the site having a diameter of between 0.5 microns and 5 mm;
- and
- c) removing bodily fluids from the targeted tissue or applying a compound to the targeted tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.