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This article originally posted 02 November, 2004 and appeared in Issue 232

The Transdermal Insulin Drug Delivery (TDD) System

The Transdermal Insulin Drug Delivery (TDD) System Dermisonics' research has centered upon the creation of a unique hardware platform, to make a wearable, lightweight drug delivery system possible. The Transdermal Drug Delivery (TDD) System employs a flexible patch design integral to the new two-part TDD called the Medi-Cap. The Sonic Applicator And Control Device will power the transducers and produce the alternating ultrasonic waveform signal which will pass through the skin and deposit the drug stored within the TDD. A series of experiments have been conducted using laboratory animal and human cadaver skin to determine the rate of insulin permeation with the U-Strip.

Dermisonics' research has centered upon the creation of a unique hardware platform, to make a wearable, lightweight drug delivery system possible.

Critical innovations include a new form of Flat Transducer, battery powered, which will generate the unique alternating waveform.

The Transdermal Drug Delivery (TDD) System employs a flexible patch design integral to the new two-part TDD called the Medi-Cap. The Sonic Applicator And Control Device will power the transducers and produce the alternating ultrasonic waveform signal which will pass through the skin and deposit the drug stored within the TDD. A series of experiments have been conducted using laboratory animal and human cadaver skin to determine the rate of insulin permeation with the U-Strip.

An alternating ultrasonic waveform enlarges the diameter of the skin pores and enables large molecule drugs to permeate through the skin (stratum corneum) into the dermis. From there the drug enters the blood stream. Ultrasound forces the drug through either of two pathways: (1) Hair Follicles or (2) Sweat Pores. Ultrasound is used to "enlarge" the Skin Pathway and then to drive the drug through the opening. Mechanically the drug follows the hair follicles to the bloodstream (near IV injection) or the sweat pores to the fatty tissue (Sub-Q Injection).

The U-Strip Drug Delivery System generates ultrasonic transmissions of variable intensity and frequency, which are pulsed through a modified transdermal patch, acting to kinetically motivate the drug contained within the patch.

The transducer patch array generates an ultrasonic signal which serves to dilate the skin pores and increase the likelihood of absorption of the drug through the skin.

The U-Strip device can be programmed to deliver a prescribed amount of active pharmaceutical agents on a programmed drug delivery regimen, customized for each patient.

The portability of this drug delivery system is designed to improve the quality of life for many patients afflicted with chronic diseases requiring the constant delivery of therapeutic medicines.