Transdermal drug delivery with a pressure wave
Apostolos G Doukas1, Nikiforos Kollias
1Department of Dermatology, Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. adoukas@partners.org
Abstract:
Pressure waves, which are generated by intense laser radiation, can permeabilize the stratum corneum (SC) as well as the cell membrane. These pressure waves are compression waves and thus exclude biological effects induced by cavitation. Their amplitude is in the hundreds of atmospheres (bar) while the duration is in the range of nanoseconds to a few microseconds. The pressure waves interact with cells and tissue in ways that are probably different from those of ultrasound. Furthermore, the interactions of the pressure waves with tissue are specific and depend on their characteristics, such as peak pressure, rise time and duration. A single pressure wave is sufficient to permeabilize the SC and allow the transport of macromolecules into the epidermis and dermis. In addition, drugs delivered into the epidermis can enter the vasculature and produce a systemic effect. For example, insulin delivered by pressure waves resulted in reducing the blood glucose level over many hours. The application of pressure waves does not cause any pain or discomfort and the barrier function of the SC always recovers.
More Related Videos
08:26Dissolving Microneedle Array Patches Manufactured By Solvent Casting Technique and Essential Characterization of Microneedle-Based Biomedical Devices
Published on: January 30, 2026
09:44Development, Characterization, and Evaluation of CAGE-based Ionic Liquid Systems for Transdermal Delivery
Published on: September 26, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Stimuli-Activated
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
Drugs in...
Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems
Mechanisms of Drug Absorption: Paracellular, Transcellular, and Vesicular Transport
However, most drugs use the transcellular route, traversing directly through the cell membranes via two mechanisms: passive and active transport. Passive...
Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
