Disclosed are a method for increasing the viability of cells by ultrasound irradiation and an ultrasound irradiation apparatus using same. The method comprises: applying a drug and an epidermal drug delivery system onto the epidermis of a subject; and, with ultrasound parameters each being preset within a certain range, an ultrasound irradiation apparatus irradiating ultrasound onto the epidermis of the subject through an ultrasound generation unit placed within a critical range from the epidermis of the subject, wherein the epidermal drug delivery system induces the formation of cavities, i.e., cavitation around the epidermis of the subject when the ultrasound is irradiated, the ultrasound parameters at least include an ultrasound pressure and an ultrasound duty percentage, the ultrasound pressure is 0.5-1 MPa, and the ultrasound duty percentage is 1-5%.

A drug-delivery device for vessels comprising a catheter body, an elongate ultrasound transmission member, an inflatable balloon, and a plurality of support wires. The catheter body has at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongate ultrasound transmission member extends longitudinally through the lumen. The elongate ultrasound transmission member has a distal portion and a proximal end configured to be coupled to an ultrasound transducer. The inflatable balloon, having an exterior surface, is coupled to the distal portion. The plurality of support wires are connected to the elongate ultrasound transmission member at two locations. A coating of at least one drug is on the exterior surface of the inflatable balloon. The elongate ultrasound transmission member is configured to transmit longitudinal vibrations to the inflatable balloon such that the inflatable balloon is longitudinally vibrated. The coating is removed by mechanical vibration of the inflatable balloon.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for treating an occlusion within a patient's vasculature with ultrasonic energy comprises a catheter configured to be passed through the patient's vasculature such that a portion of the catheter is positioned at an intravascular treatment site. The system further comprises an ultrasound radiating member, an ultrasound signal generator configured to supply a drive signal to the ultrasound radiating member, an infusion pump configured to pump a therapeutic compound into the fluid delivery lumen so as to cause the therapeutic compound to be delivered to the treatment site and a controller configured to control the ultrasound signal generator and the infusion pump.

An iontophoresis system includes a preloaded reservoir containing one or more doses of a therapeutic agent. As a result, the therapeutic agent does not have to be loaded into the reservoir prior to use. In such a system, the preloaded reservoir is generally disposable. Various components of the iontophoresis system can be combined with the reservoir in a disposable cartridge that is selectively connectable to other, reusable components of the iontophoresis system. In addition, the entire iontophoresis system can be formed from one or more disposable, one-time-use modules.

An adjustable clamping-type ultrasonic medicine-applying massage device, including a left clamping arm, a right clamping arm, an intermediate hinge adjustment and ultrasonic medicine-applying massage heads; an end of the left clamping arm is in an articulated connection with an end of the right clamping arm through the intermediate hinge adjustment mechanism; an operating space is formed in an area where the left clamping arm and the right clamping arm face to each other; another end of the left clamping arm and another end of the right clamping arm are each provided with a ultrasonic medicine-applying massage head; the ultrasonic medicine-applying massage head of the left clamping arm and the ultrasonic medicine-applying massage head of the right clamping arm face towards each other.

Methods and apparatus are provided for applying an fragment of a neurotoxin such as the active light chain (LC) of the botulinum toxin (BoNT), such as one of the serotype A, B, C, D, E, F or G botulinum toxins, via permeabilization of targeted cell membranes to enable translocation of the botulinum neurotoxin light chain (BoNT-LC) molecule across the targeted cell membrane to the cell cytosol where a therapeutic response is produced in a mammalian system. The methods and apparatus include use of catheter based delivery systems, non-invasive delivery systems, and transdermal delivery systems.

An embolic agent and a piezoelectric substance are mixed together. The mixture can be delivered to a tumor or other object by a non-invasive method. The embolic agent prevents movement of the piezoelectric substance from the target location. Subsequent impulses applied to the target location cause ablation of the surrounding area due to the piezoelectric effect of the particles, promoting highly accurate and precise ablation without the need for more invasive procedures.

Methods and apparatus are provided for applying an fragment of a neurotoxin such as the active light chain (LC) of the botulinum toxin (BoNT), such as one of the serotype A, B, C, D, E, F or G botulinum toxins, via permeabilization of targeted cell membranes to enable translocation of the botulinum neurotoxin light chain (BoNT-LC) molecule across the targeted cell membrane to the cell cytosol where a therapeutic response is produced in a mammalian system. The methods and apparatus include use of catheter based delivery systems, non-invasive delivery systems, and transdermal delivery systems.

A method can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat lobuli and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a conformal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a surface of a fat lobuli. The lesion creates an opening in the surface of the fat which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat lobuli and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43° C. and 49° C. degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat.

Methods of treatment and treatment systems for performing radiomodulatory stereotactic radiosurgery to treat brain disorders in which target neural tissues associated with the brain disorder are sensitized to radiation by administration of a molecular substance and/or non-targeted critical structures are protected from radiation by a molecular substance, in order to treat disorders of brain circuitry. Specific embodiments disclose means for treating pain, obesity and drug addiction.