Abstract: A method for delivery of substance through at least one dermal layer, by providing a substance in microcapsules at a predetermined size, within a medium (150) for holding the microcapsules; placing the medium for holding the microcapsules on a surface of a patch (100) adjacent the skin (320) of a human or animal; and applying energy (200) to the patch, the energy having a characteristic of disturbing the integrity of the microcapsules, thereby resulting in release of the substance from the microcapsules. The energy may be selectively applied to release the substance at desired times. The substance may be a drug or other active agent.

Abstract: A method for delivery of substance through at least one dermal layer, by providing a substance in microcapsules at a predetermined size, within a medium (150) for holding the microcapsules; placing the medium for holding the microcapsules on a surface of a patch (100) adjacent the skin (320) of a human or animal; and applying energy (200) to the patch, the energy having a characteristic of disturbing the integrity of the microcapsules, thereby resulting in release of the substance from the microcapsules. The energy may be selectively applied to release the substance at desired times. The substance may be a drug or other active agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for sonoporation for transdermal delivery of a microparticles suspension containing microencapsulated drugs includes a container containing said microparticles suspension and an ultrasound horn having a tip submerged in said microparticles suspension containing microencapsulated drug or the like. The ultrasound radiation is applied to generate cavitation bubbles, thus causing pores to be formed in the skin of a patient. The ultrasound radiation intensity and distance from the skin are also effective in generating ultrasonic jets driving the microparticles through the formed pores into the skin. The ultrasound radiation is desirably applied at a frequency other than a resonant frequency of the microparticles to avoid rupturing them.

Abstract: A method for delivery of substance through at least one dermal layer, by providing a substance in microcapsules at a predetermined size, within a medium (150) for holding the microcapsules; placing the medium for holding the microcapsules on a surface of a patch (100) adjacent the skin (320) of a human or animal; and applying energy (200) to the patch, the energy having a characteristic of disturbing the integrity of the microcapsules, thereby resulting in release of the substance from the microcapsules. The energy may be selectively applied to release the substance at desired times. The substance may be a drug or other active agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing in-vivo sonoporation of a skin area and transdermal and/or intradermal delivery of a drug solution includes a container having an end adjacent the skin area and containing the drug solution. The container further includes an ultrasound horn having a tip submerged in the drug solution for applying ultrasound radiation to the drug solution. The ultrasound radiation has a frequency in the range of 15 KHz and 1 MHz and is applied at an intensity, for a period of time and at a distance from said skin area effective to generate cavitation bubbles. The cavitation bubbles collapse and transfer their energy into the skin area, thus causing the formation of pores in the skin area. The ultrasound radiation intensity and distance from the skin area are also effective in generating ultrasonic jets, which ultrasonic jets then drive the drug solution through the end adjacent the skin area and the formed pores into the skin.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing in-vivo sonoporation of a skin area and transdermal and/or intradermal delivery of a drug solution includes a container having an end covered with a porous membrane and containing the drug solution and an ultrasound horn having a tip submerged in the drug solution. The ultrasound horn applies ultrasound radiation to the drug solution. The ultrasound radiation has a frequency in the range of 15 KHz and 1 MHz and is applied at an intensity, for a period of time and at a distance from said skin area effective to generate cavitation bubbles. The cavitation bubbles collapse and transfer their energy into the skin area thus causing the formation of pores in the skin area. The ultrasound radiation intensity and distance from the skin area are also effective in generating ultrasonic jets, which ultrasonic jets then drive the drug solution through the porous membrane and the formed pores into the skin.