Combined sonic and iontophoretic skin care device

Abstract

The present disclosure seeks to address the primary problem of long application durations to deliver an effective dose of an active ingredient. The devices combine mechanical motion with electrically induced flux (e.g., iontophoresis). The combination of techniques in a single device can reduce the treatment time required to deliver the active ingredient in an effective dose, or deliver a larger dose over the same duration of application. The present disclosure provides a dermal formulation delivery device, comprising: (a) a device head comprising a source of oscillatory or reciprocating mechanical motion at a sonic frequency; and (b) an electrical system, comprising: (i) a first electrode, disposed on the device head and configured to be in electrical communication with a subject's skin; (ii) a second electrode, configured to be in electrical communication with the subject's skin; and (iii) a power source in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein the electrical system is configured such that the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to be in electrical communication with separate locations of the subject's skin simultaneously during operation.

Description

Background technique [0001] Non-invasive transdermal delivery of both low and high molecular weight therapeutics has long been the goal of researchers worldwide. Even ignoring the hope of eliminating invasive delivery techniques (such as subcutaneous injections) that are painful and can leave the skin prone to infection, there are many instances where the condition being treated is in the skin itself. Whether the condition is pathological or cosmetic, in most cases the standard of care is the application of topical agents intended for direct absorption through the stratum corneum of the skin and penetration into the epidermis or dermis where treatment occurs. However, the normal function of the skin runs counter to this treatment. Keratinocytes and multiple lipid bilayers in the stratum corneum provide an important barrier not only to infectious or harmful agents but also to many cosmetic therapeutic and topical pharmaceutical formulations. The consequence is that for most t...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0008] Current methods for non-invasive, transdermal and intradermal delivery of active therapeutic agents suffer from two disadvantages: lack of depth control and long duration of administration required to deliver an effective dose (low fluence)

Although higher levels of current would be considered safe, subjective discomfort can lead to lower limits being imposed

Images