US6620123B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing homogenous cavitation to enhance transdermal transport
Assignee: Sontra Medical Inc
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Filing: 1999-12-17
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Granted: 2003-09-16
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Expires: 2019-12-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for producing homogenous cavitation. An ultrasound souce comprising an ultrasound transmitting element having an axis and a cross-section along the axis is disclosed The ultrasound transmitting element also has a first axial end and a second axial end operable to produce ultrasonic waves. The cross-section has an area having a maximum value at the first axial end and a minimum value at the second axial end. A method for producing homogenous cavitation at an area of skin comprises creating a volume of fluid having a uniformly dispersed concentration of cavitation nuclei adjacent the area of skin. Ultrasound is then applied to the volume of fluid and causes cavitation at the cavitation nuclei.
Inventors
- 👤 Samir S. Mitragotri
- 👤 Joseph Kost
- 👤 Scott C. Kellogg
- 👤 Nicholas F. Warner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M37/00; A61M37/0092; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/22004; A61B2017/22005; A61B2017/22007; A61B2017/22008; A61B2017/22027; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B2017/320072; A61B2017/320073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An ultrasound source comprising: an ultrasound transmitting element having an axis and a first cross-section along said axis, said ultrasound transmitting element having a first axial end and a second axial end, said first axial end operable to produce ultrasonic waves; and said first axial end comprising a matrix of ultrasound producing portions, said portions defined by a first series of parallel axial cuts and a second series of parallel axial cuts, said second series of parallel axial cuts are approximately perpendicular to said first series of parallel axial cuts and said matrix having the first cross-section; wherein the ultrasound producing portions, which are completely bounded by said cuts, each has a substantially rectangular cross-section parallel to said first cross-section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An ultrasound source comprising: an ultrasound transmitting element having an axis and a first cross-section along said axis, said ultrasound transmitting element having a first axial end and a second axial end, said first axial end operable to produce ultrasonic waves; and said first axial end comprising a matrix of ultrasound producing portions, said portions defined by a first series of parallel axial cuts and a second series of parallel axial cuts, said second series of parallel axial cuts are approximately perpendicular to said first series of parallel axial cuts and said matrix having the first cross-section; wherein the ultrasound producing portions, which are completely bounded by said cuts, each has a substantially rectangular cross-section parallel to said first cross-section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasound source of claim 1 wherein said ultrasound transmitting element comprises a cylindrical horn and said first cross-section is a circle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasound source of claim 1 wherein said ultrasound transmitting element comprises a flat horn and said first cross-section is rectangular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ultrasound source of claim 3 wherein said matrix of ultrasound producing portions comprises a row of ultrasound producing portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ultrasound source of claim 1 wherein each one of said ultrasound producing portions has a first end proximal to the ultrasound transmitting element and a second end distal to the ultrasound transmitting element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ultrasound source of claim 1 wherein the first axial end radiates ultrasound toward a skin surface and causes cavitation in a coupling medium, at the skin surface or in the skin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The ultrasound source of claim 1 wherein said first end comprises an anodized coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ultrasound source of claim 1 wherein said first end comprises carbide steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasound source of claim 8 wherein said carbide steel first end is bonded to said ultrasound transmitting element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
An ultrasound source comprising: an ultrasound transmitting element having an axis and a cross-section along said axis, said ultrasound transmitting element having a first axial end and a second axial end, said second axial end operable to produce ultrasonic waves; said cross-section having an area having a maximum value at the first axial end and a minimum value at the second axial end; and said first axial end comprising a matrix of ultrasound producing portions, said portions defined by a first series of parallel axial cuts and a second series of parallel axial cuts, said second series of parallel axial cuts are approximately perpendicular to said first series of parallel axial cuts and said matrix having the first cross-section; wherein the ultrasound producing portions, which are completely bounded by said cuts, each has a substantially rectangular cross-section parallel to said first cross-section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
An ultrasound source comprising: an ultrasound transmitting element having an axis and a cross-section along said axis, said ultrasound transmitting element having a first axial end and a second axial end, said second axial end operable to produce ultrasonic waves; said cross-section having an area having a maximum value at the first axial end and a minimum value at the second axial end; and said first axial end comprising a matrix of ultrasound producing portions, said portions defined by a first series of parallel axial cuts and a second series of parallel axial cuts, said second series of parallel axial cuts are approximately perpendicular to said first series of parallel axial cuts and said matrix having the first cross-section; wherein the ultrasound producing portions, which are completely bounded by said cuts, each has a substantially rectangular cross-section parallel to said first cross-section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ultrasound source of claim 10 wherein said cross-section has a uniform shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ultrasound source of claim 10 wherein said ultrasound transmitting element has a circular cross-section along said axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasound source of claim 10 wherein the ultrasound transmitting element produces an ultrasound wave pattern that produces uniformly distributed cavitation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ultrasound source of claim 10 wherein the first axial end radiates ultrasound toward a skin surface and causes uniformly distributed cavitation in a coupling medium, at the skin surface or in the skin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The ultrasound source of claim 10 wherein said first end comprises an anodized coating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ultrasound source of claim 10 wherein said first end comprises carbide steel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasound source of claim 16 wherein said carbide steel first end is bonded to said ultrasound transmitting element.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for producing homogenous cavitation at an area of skin comprising: creating a volume of fluid adjacent the area of skin, said fluid having a uniformly dispersed concentration of cavitation nuclei therein; and applying ultrasound to the volume of fluid from an ultrasound transmitting element having an axis and a cross-section along said axis, said ultrasound transmitting element having a first axial end and a second axial end, said second axial end operable to produce ultrasonic waves, said first axial end comprising a matrix of ultrasound producing portions, said portions defined by a first series of parallel axial cuts and a second series of parallel axial cuts, said second series of parallel axial cuts are approximately perpendicular to said first series of parallel axial cuts and said matrix having the first cross-section, wherein the ultrasound producing portions, which are completely bounded by said cuts, each has a substantially rectangular cross-section parallel to said first cross-section; wherein the ultrasound causes cavitation to begin at or around the cavitation nuclei.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for producing homogenous cavitation at an area of skin comprising: creating a volume of fluid adjacent the area of skin, said fluid having a uniformly dispersed concentration of cavitation nuclei therein; and applying ultrasound to the volume of fluid from an ultrasound transmitting element having an axis and a cross-section along said axis, said ultrasound transmitting element having a first axial end and a second axial end, said second axial end operable to produce ultrasonic waves, said first axial end comprising a matrix of ultrasound producing portions, said portions defined by a first series of parallel axial cuts and a second series of parallel axial cuts, said second series of parallel axial cuts are approximately perpendicular to said first series of parallel axial cuts and said matrix having the first cross-section, wherein the ultrasound producing portions, which are completely bounded by said cuts, each has a substantially rectangular cross-section parallel to said first cross-section; wherein the ultrasound causes cavitation to begin at or around the cavitation nuclei.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the cavitation nuclei comprise appropriately sized ceramic particles.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the cavitation nuclei comprise appropriately sized polymer particles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the cavitation nuclei comprise appropriately sized titanium dioxide particles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the cavitation nuclei comprises gas bubbles.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising delivering a substance through the area of skin.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising extracting analyte through the area of skin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-09-15 | 2007-03-17 | 2007-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-15 | 2011-03-17 | 2011-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-15 | 2015-03-17 | 2015-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |