US 11,857,459 B2
System and method for ultrasound-enhanced delivery of drugs
Wai Leung Langston Suen, Sai Wan Ho (HK); Sin Hang Sarah Cheung, Ngau Chi Wan (HK); and Jan Frederik Engels, Kowloon Bay (HK)
Assigned to SONIKURE HOLDINGS LIMITED, Wan Chai (HK)
Filed by Sonikure Holdings Ltd., Wan Chai (HK)
Filed on Nov. 16, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/194,179.
Application 16/194,179 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/EP2017/061983, filed on May 18, 2017.
Claims priority of application No. 16170141 (EP), filed on May 18, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2019/0083306 A1, Mar. 21, 2019
Int. Cl. A61F 9/00 (2006.01); A61M 37/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 9/0008 (2013.01) [A61M 37/0092 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0093 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drug applicator for a system for ultrasound-enhanced delivery of at least one drug to a target site in a intraocular space, the system comprising a signal generating unit operationally connected to an ultrasound transducer, and a controller,
wherein the drug applicator:
(a) comprises at least one space configured to hold the drug,
(b) is made from a low ultrasound attenuation material,
(c) is configured to provide low ultrasound loss coupling of the system to the sclera or cornea, and
(d) is configured to be mechanically coupled to the system and further configured to be coupled to the ultrasound transducer with low ultrasound loss; and
wherein the signal generating unit or the ultrasound transducer is configured to emit an ultrasound wave form in at least one application cycle, the application cycle comprising at least one ultrasound emitting event with a time duration TA and a waiting period with a time duration TW,
wherein, the controller obtains data from an information receiving or sending unit pertaining to the properties of the drug, and based on the properties of the drug controls a plurality of parameters pertaining to the application cycle comprising at least the time duration TA and time duration TW, such that (1) when the drug comprises molecules with a size of 70 kDa or less, controls the time duration TA to be between 30 s and 300 s and the drug applicator causes the drug to transit through the sclera during the time duration TA; and (2) when the drug comprises molecules with a size of more than 70 kDa, controls the time duration TW to be between 60 s and 600 s and the drug applicator causes the drug to transit through the sclera during the time duration TW.