Delivery system and process

Abstract

A delivery system, including a polymeric material for storing molecules and/or particles wherein the molecules and/or particles are substantially bound to said polymeric material through: the polymeric material comprising an electrical charge and the molecules and/or particles comprising an electrical charge opposite to the electrical charge of the polymeric material; and/or the molecules and/or particles being physically trapped within pores of the polymeric material; and an ultrasonic transducer configured to apply an ultrasonic signal to the polymeric material to release the molecules and/or particles and to transport the released molecules and/or particles through the polymeric material to a surface for delivery to an entity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A delivery system, comprising:
 a polymeric material for storing molecules and/or particles wherein said molecules and/or particles are substantially bound to said polymeric material through:
 i) said polymeric material comprising an electrical charge and said molecules and/or particles comprising an electrical charge opposite to said electrical charge of said polymeric material; and/or 
 ii) said molecules and/or particles being physically trapped within pores of said polymeric material; and 
   an ultrasonic transducer configured to apply an ultrasonic signal to said polymeric material to release said molecules and/or particles and to transport said released molecules and/or particles through said polymeric material to a surface for delivery to an entity.   
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , said molecules and/or particles being physically trapped within pores of said polymeric material. 
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an electric field generator configured to apply an electric field to said polymeric material to enhance the rate and/or amount of release of said molecules and/or particles from said polymeric material. 
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed  claim 1  wherein said polymeric material comprises a cross-linked polymer, an electro-conductive polymer, an electro-constrictive polymer, agarose or a hydrogel. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4  wherein said polymeric material is a gel. 
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said polymeric material comprises agarose. 
     
     
         7 . A system as claimed  claim 1  wherein said entity is a biological tissue. 
     
     
         8 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said molecules are molecules of a therapeutic agent for delivery to said biological tissue, or said particles contain a therapeutic agent for delivery to said biological tissue. 
     
     
         9 . A system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said agent comprises one or more drugs, hormones, antibodies, liposomes, and/or peptides. 
     
     
         10 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said biological tissue is mucosal tissue. 
     
     
         11 . A system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said biological tissue is an eye or ocular adnexae, buccal or gingival mucosa and teeth, anal or vaginal mucosa, or skin. 
     
     
         12 . A system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said biological tissue is an eye, and said molecules and/or particles are delivered to one or more parts of said eye including cornea, limbus, sclera, retina, choroid and uveal tract. 
     
     
         13 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said molecules comprise an ink or dye for printing or marking said entity. 
     
     
         14 . A system as claimed in  claim 13 , comprising means for controlling said ultrasonic signal to determine a depth of said printing or marking in said entity. 
     
     
         15 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured so that, when in contact with said entity, said ultrasonic signal enhances delivery of said molecules and/or particles into said entity by sonophoresis. 
     
     
         16 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means for applying an ultrasonic signal includes at least one ultrasonic transducer coupled to said polymeric material. 
     
     
         17 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system is a hand-held device. 
     
     
         18 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a removable delivery component incorporating said polymeric material. 
     
     
         19 . A system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said delivery component also comprises one or more ultrasonic transducers. 
     
     
         20 . A system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said delivery component is a single-use disposable component of the system.