Bored Sonotrode Foot for Deeper Transdermal Ultrasound Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound-based sonotrodes for transdermal drug and cosmetic delivery are inefficient due to low acoustic pressure, cavitation-induced epidermis damage, and limited penetration depth, necessitating improved designs to enhance delivery efficacy while minimizing skin damage.
Innovation Solution
A sonotrode design with a proximal portion, neck portion, and flared foot, featuring a bore that extends through the foot and neck, optimized for ultrasound transmission, combined with pre-treatment skin perforation methods like laser or RF energy, to facilitate deeper and safer compound delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional sonotrode design is used, then transdermal delivery can be achieved, but acoustic pressure is low and penetration depth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bore through the foot and neck portions, adding a dimensional feature (internal cavity) to the sonotrode structure. This bore allows for enhanced acoustic pressure generation and deeper penetration by creating a pathway for ultrasound energy transmission through the skin, resolving the contradiction between limited penetration depth and insufficient acoustic pressure.
2Productivity
If ultrasound energy is increased to improve penetration, then delivery efficacy is enhanced, but cavitation-induced epidermis damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bore structure acts as an intermediary element that guides and focuses ultrasound energy through the skin in a controlled manner. By providing a defined pathway, the bore enables high acoustic pressure transmission while minimizing uncontrolled cavitation effects that cause epidermis damage, thus resolving the contradiction between delivery efficacy and skin damage.
3Power
If flared foot design is used, then ultrasound transmission is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sonotrode is segmented into distinct portions (proximal, neck, foot with bore) with specific functions assigned to each. The flared foot portion with bore is designed as a separate functional element that can be manufactured using standard machining techniques, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining optimized ultrasound transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sonotrode design achieves enhanced transdermal delivery by focusing ultrasound energy beneath the skin surface, reducing skin damage and increasing penetration depth, thereby improving the efficacy of drug and cosmetic delivery.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasound energy is transmitted through the skin
Implementation Method 2
focusing ultrasound energy beneath the skin surface
Implementation Method 3
pre-treatment skin perforation methods like laser or RF energy
Implementation Method 4
pre-treatment skin perforation methods like laser or RF energy
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a sonotrode and its use for transdermal delivery of therapeutic or cosmetic compounds. The sonotrode 10 comprises a tubular neck 14 attached at a proximal end to a solid head 12 and ending at a distal end in a flared foot 16. When coupled to an ultrasonic transducer and applied to skin of a human or animal, the sonotrode enhances the delivery of compounds into the skin.