Transdermal delivery of beneficial substances effected by a hostile biophysical environment

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to the transdermal delivery of substances and, in some embodiments, to the transdermal delivery of beneficial substances by a hostile biophysical environment. In one aspect, various methods for the transdermal delivery of beneficial substances are disclosed. By creating a hostile biophysical environment, beneficial substances may be delivered, according to certain embodiments, through the stratum corneum of the skin into the body. Beneficial substances include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutical agents, drugs, vitamins, co-factors, peptides, dietary supplements, and others. The beneficial effects disclosed include, for instance, relief of pain and inflammation, prevention and healing of ulcers of the skin, relief of headache, improved sexual function and enjoyment, growth of hair on the scalp, improving muscle size and / or function, removing body fat and / or cellulite, treating cancer, treating viral infections and others. A hostile biophysical environment may also be used in conjunction with systems and methods for increasing local blood flow, according to one set of embodiments. For example, by using a nitric oxide donor such as L-arginine, local blood flow may be increased, e.g., by transdermally delivering the nitric oxide precursor. The nitric oxide donor may be the sole cause of increased blood flow, or it may be supplemented with an adjunct such as theophylline.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 587,323, filed Oct. 19, 2006, entitled “Transdermal Delivery of Beneficial Substances Effected by a Hostile Biophysical Environment,” by E. T. Fossel, which application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT / US2005 / 013228, filed Apr. 19, 2005, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 563,573, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled “Flow Assisted Transdermal Preparations of Ephedra and Ephedra Components to Avoid Adverse Effects,” by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 563,575, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled “Flow Assisted Transdermal Delivery of Anabolic Steroids,” by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 563,574, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled “Augmented Flow Assisted Transdermal Delivery of Anabolic Steroids,” by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provision...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention relates to a method and composition for delivering beneficial substances through the skin using a hostile biophysical environment. This method can enhance the delivery of substances that have a beneficial effect, but may also be affected by systemic toxicity. The invention can be used for the treatment or prevention of various conditions, such as headaches, pain, inflammation, and sexual dysfunction. The invention includes a delivery vehicle that contains a nitric oxide donor and a pharmaceutical agent, which can be administered in a hostile biophysical environment to increase the concentration of the pharmaceutical agent in the tissue to be treated. The invention also includes a method of making and using the described embodiments."

Problems solved by technology

Local transdermal delivery of drugs, while desirable, is limited by current technologies.

Few pharmaceutical entities have successfully been delivered transdermally in effective dosages.

The amount of pharmaceutical agent that can be delivered through simple diffusion is also limited.