The synergistic effect of ultrasound and chemical penetration enhancers on chorioamnion mass transport.

In our previous study we proposed the use of chemical penetration enhancers for noninvasive detection of fetus abnormalities that can also be utilized for direct fetal drug delivery. In an attempt to further increase the mass transport rate across the amniotic membrane, thus shortening the procedure and improving the applicability of the proposed procedure, the effect and mechanism of combining ultrasound exposure with chemical penetration enhancers' application were assessed. The combined effect was evaluated in vitro on post-delivery human amniotic membrane and ex vivo on rat's whole amniotic sac.

Fetal membrane transport enhancement using ultrasound for drug delivery and noninvasive detection.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound on mass transport across fetal membrane for direct fetal drug delivery and sensing of the amniotic fluid in a noninvasive manner.

Methods: Post-delivery human fetal membranes (chorioamnion) were used for in vitro experiments, in which the effect of ultrasound on transport across fetal membrane of fluorescent model molecule (250 kDa) was evaluated. Ex vivo experiments were carried out on a whole rat amniotic sac.

The importance of microjet vs shock wave formation in sonophoresis.

Low-frequency ultrasound application has been shown to greatly enhance transdermal drug delivery. Skin exposed to ultrasound is affected in a heterogeneous manner, thus mass transport through the stratum corneum occurs mainly through highly permeable localized transport regions (LTRs). Shock waves and microjets generated during inertial cavitations are responsible for the transdermal permeability enhancement.