The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 07, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 09, 1998
Jonathan A Eppstein, Atlanta, GA (US);
Michael R Hatch, Sugar Hills, GA (US);
Difei Yang, Chamblee, GA (US);
SpectRx, Inc., Norcross, GA (US);
Altea Technologies, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
A method of enhancing the permeability of the skin to an analyte for diagnostic purposes or to a drug for therapeutic purposes is described utilizing microporation and optionally sonic energy and a chemical enhancer. If selected, the sonic energy may be modulated by means of frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and/or combinations thereof. Microporation is accomplished by (a) ablating the stratum corneum by localized rapid heating of water such that such water is vaporized, thus eroding the cells; (b) puncturing the stratum corneum with a micro-lancet calibrated to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter; (c) ablating the stratum corneum by focusing a tightly focused beam of sonic energy onto the stratum corneum; (d) hydraulically puncturing the stratum corneum with a high pressure jet of fluid to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter, or (e) puncturing the stratum corneum with short pulses of electricity to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter. A dye with an absorption maximum matched to the wavelength of a pulsed light source can be absorbed into the stratum corneum to concentrate the energy of the pulsed light source and aid in ablation of the stratum corneum. Alternatively, a hot wire can be caused to contact the stratum corneum.