Non-invasive agent applicator

Abstract

There is disclosed systems and methods for non-invasive delivery of an agent to biological tissues. Delivery of the agent to the tissues can be by one or more modalities. In some embodiments the systems and methods use agent carrier body including a tissue contacting surface for non-invasively engaging tissues under treatment. The tissue contacting surface can be at least partly defined by a plurality of protrusions that are in fluid communication with one or more reservoirs forming part of the agent carrier body. The protrusions may extend outward from an inside of a void and terminate at said tissue contacting surface.

1 .- 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method of dispensing an agent from an agent carrier, the method comprising:
 holding the agent within an agent carrier, said agent carrier including a solid agent carrier body that terminates at a tissue contacting surface in a plurality of protrusions, wherein holding the agent within the agent carrier includes holding at least some agent within the agent carrier body;   engaging the tissue contacting surface of the agent carrier body with a surface of a biological tissue, wherein the plurality of protrusions do not penetrate any layer of the tissue; and   dispensing agent from the agent carrier to the tissue surface by applying ultrasonic waves to cause transportation of the agent through the agent carrier body to the tissue surface   wherein the method further includes applying the ultrasonic waves to the tissue via the agent carrier to enhance or permit penetration of the agent into the tissue.   
     
     
         54 .- 57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the ultrasonic waves are selected to deliver a chosen amount of agent to a chosen depth within the tissue. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein operational parameters of the agent carrier are used to enhance or cause delivery of said agent to a selected depth within the tissue, and the operational parameters are selected from one or more of: application pressure, ultrasonic frequency, ultrasonic power level, ultrasonic waveform, ultrasonic application duration, ultrasonic application duty cycle, ultrasound direction. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the plurality of protrusions is in fluid communication with one or more agent reservoirs forming part of the agent carrier body. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein each agent reservoir comprises a void formed within the agent carrier body. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the plurality of protrusions extend outward from an inside of a void and terminate at the tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the void is formed by a peripheral structure, wherein at least part of said peripheral structure terminates at the tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the peripheral structure terminates in a common plane with the plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein at least some of the plurality of protrusions extend outward from the void beyond the peripheral structure. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein at least some of the plurality of protrusions terminate in a plane and the peripheral structure terminates short of the plane such that the protrusions extend beyond the peripheral structure. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the agent carrier body further includes at least one micro channel extending at least partially through the agent carrier body to the tissue contacting surface enabling transportation of the agent to the tissue surface. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the agent carrier body includes a stack of layers including:
 a tissue-contacting layer which includes the tissue contacting surface; and   at least one other layer;   wherein a plurality of the layers have holes formed therein to enable the agent to be transported from one said layer to the next.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the agent carrier body is able to conduct a transmission stimulus to transport the agent within the agent carrier body and to the tissue surface. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the agent carrier is a component of an applicator device. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the agent carrier or agent carrier body is coupled directly or indirectly to a handle unit of the applicator device to facilitate handheld control of the applicator device. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the handle unit includes a generator of ultrasound energy to generate the ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the agent carrier. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the agent carrier is a consumable applicator tip adapted for single use.