Method and apparatus for ultrasonic delivery of drugs and contrast agents

Abstract

A method, device and system for ultrasonic delivery and attachment of ligand-receptor based drugs and/or drug carriers and/or image enhancing contrast agents utilizing catch and slip bond mechanisms in a targeted part(s) of the human or animal (patient) body or organs or tissue is described and disclosed. The system includes an acoustic power source coupled to an acoustic transducer with the acoustic transducer placed upon a patient's delivery zone. The acoustic transducer transmits an acoustic field to the target drug delivery and/or imaging zone. A detection probe and/or a probe of an imaging system are placed over or within said delivery zone and the probe is coupled to a sensing/imaging system. A control computer that controls power and wave shape of the acoustic signal generated into the acoustic filed by the acoustic power source and receives data from the sensing/imaging system. This system utilizes catch and slip bonds for the delivery of drugs and/or drug carriers and/or image enhancing contrast agents. Placing an acoustic transducer over a delivery zone having ligand-receptor based drugs and/or drug carriers and/or image enhancing contrast agents. The method includes coupling an acoustic power source to said acoustic power source and installing a probe within or over said delivery zone. The probe is coupled to a sensing/imaging system. A control computer is used to control a power and a wave shape of the acoustic field generated by said acoustic transducer. The method uses a catch and slip bonds within said acoustic field to deliver ligand-receptor based drugs and/or drug carriers and/or image enhancing contrast.