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.

The present invention provides methods and devices for treating endovascular disease. Vibrational energy is delivered to change compliance and increase permeability at the treatment area. To improve clinical outcomes, one or more therapeutic drugs may be delivered to the treatment area.

One embodiment is directed to a non-contact, medical ultrasound therapy system for generating and controlling low frequency ultrasound for the delivery of fluids containing biologic or cellular materials. The ultrasound therapy system includes a treatment wand including an ultrasonic transducer, a generator unit, and a cable coupling the treatment wand to the generator unit. The generator unit generates electric power output to drive the ultrasonic transducer and includes a digital frequency generator.

An approach for enhancing radiation treatment of target tissue includes identifying a target volume of the target tissue; causing disruption of vascular tissue in a region confined to the target volume so as to define the target volume; based at least in part on the disruption of the vascular tissue, determining a radiation treatment plan having a reduced radiation dose for treating the target tissue; and exposing the target volume to the reduced radiation dose based on the radiation treatment plan.

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.

Compositions for topical treatment to reduce the appearance of the hyperpigmented lesions of melasma are presented. Such compositions include defensins in concentrations that are below those that exhibit antimicrobial activity, and can be in the form of a topically applied gel, lotion, wash, shampoo, cream, or mask. Various formulations for such compositions, which can include various pharmaceutically acceptable stabilizers, emollients, and fragrances, are provided.

A flexible device having a layered structure for delivering electrical stimulation and one or both of light and ultrasound to a skin surface is provided. The device is flexible so as to form a non-planar contact surface against the skin surface, and includes one or both of (a) a flexible light emitter layer positioned between two flexible conductive layers that emits light when driven by a power source and (b) a flexible ultrasound emitter layer positioned between two flexible conductive layers that produces ultrasound when driven by a power source. The device also includes a flexible electrical stimulation layer that functions as an electrode and is configured to provide electrical stimulation when driven by a power source.

A system and method for operating an ultrasonic treatment device includes generating an ultrasound electrical signal using an ultrasound signal generator; supplying the ultrasound electrical signal to an ultrasonic transducer to generate ultrasonic vibratory motion of an ultrasonic vibration transmission member; monitoring an electrical characteristic associated with the ultrasonic transducer; processing the monitored electrical characteristic to determine at least one of a type of material encountered by a distal end of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member and a type of vascular pathway that the ultrasonic catheter is traversing; and controlling at least one of a modulation frequency and a waveform of the ultrasound electrical signal based on the determined at least one of the type material encountered by the distal end of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member and the type of vascular pathway that the ultrasonic catheter is traversing.

A method of therapy for a tumor or other pathology by administering a combination of thermotherapy and immunotherapy optionally combined with gene delivery. The combination therapy beneficially treats the tumor and prevents tumor recurrence, either locally or at a different site, by boosting the patient's immune response both at the time of original therapy and/or for later therapy. With respect to gene delivery, the inventive method may be used in cancer therapy, but is not limited to such use; it will be appreciated that the inventive method may be used for gene delivery in general. The controlled and precise application of thermal energy enhances gene transfer to any cell, whether the cell is a neoplastic cell, a pre-neoplastic cell, or a normal cell.

The invention provides devices and methods for delivery of an agent to buccal tissue of a subject. The devices and methods use transient acoustic cavitation to transfer an agent directly from a fluid to buccal tissue.