The present invention relates to a method for increasing the blood-brain barrier permeability, and more particularly, to a method for increasing the blood-brain barrier permeability, the method including: (S1) a step of delivering a nanogenerator carrying a nitric oxide (NO) donor to a site adjacent to the blood-brain barrier; (S2) a step of delivering a first triggering stimulus to an area where the nanogenerator has been delivered so as to release nitric oxide from the nanogenerator; and (S3) a step of allowing the released nitric oxide to activate matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) and inducing the activated MMP-9 to weaken the tight junction between a cerebrovascular endothelial cell and another cerebrovascular endothelial cell.

A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.

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.

The invention concerns a transdermal delivery system for controlled dispensing of an active substance to and through a porous surface. A certain amount of fluid comprising at least one active substance and at least one solvent is dispensed into an administration reservoir. In the administration reservoir the at least one solvent is separated from the administration reservoir by a solvent recovery means such that the active substance achieves a certain level on an interface device which is permeable for the one active substance. Thereby the active substance is absorbable via diffusion from the interface device by a porous surface to be treated.

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.

Various approaches to focusing an ultrasound transducer includes causing the ultrasound transducer to transmit ultrasound waves to the target region; causing the detection system to indirectly measure the focusing properties; and based at least in part on the indirectly measured focusing properties, adjusting a parameter value associated with at least one of the transducer elements so as to achieve a target treatment power at the target region.

In order to achieve the above or other aims, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a skin care device is provided which comprises: a body comprising a grip section for a user to hold, and a head section positioned at the end of the grip section; a plurality of skin-contacting plates positioned at the end of the head section; a plurality of oscillators for providing oscillations to each of the skin-contacting plates; and a control unit which supplies an electrical current to the skin-contacting plates and controls the oscillators, wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the control unit are respectively connected to different skin-contacting plates.

Various approaches for microbubble-enhanced ultrasound treatment of target tissue include receiving a desired characteristic of the microbubbles for treating the target tissue; causing the microbubbles to be dispensed from the administration device; and comparing a characteristic of the dispensed microbubbles to the desired characteristic so as to validate a match therebetween.

An ultrasound catheter may be adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent the vessel wall. The ultrasound catheter includes an elongate shaft extending from a distal region to a proximal region and an ultrasound transducer that is disposed relative to the distal region of the elongate shaft and is adapted to impart near-field acoustic pressure waves upon the vascular lesion in order to mechanically modify the vascular lesion. An inflatable balloon is disposed about the ultrasound transducer and is coupled to the elongate shaft, the inflatable balloon having a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the ultrasound catheter through a patient's vasculature and an expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the ultrasound catheter in position relative to a treatment site.

A system and method for treating skin and areas proximate thereto, preferably using at least one of an exfoliant, a transducer operating at a frequency ranging from approximately 20 kHz to approximately 250 MHz, and/or a light source having a predominant wavelength ranging from approximately 400 nm to approximately 2,500 nm.