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Review
. 2024 May:208:115275.
doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115275. Epub 2024 Mar 3.

Miniaturized therapeutic systems for ultrasound-modulated drug delivery to the central and peripheral nervous system

Pancheng Zhu  1 , Ignasi Simon  2 , Ida Kokalari  2 , Daniel S Kohane  3 , Alina Y Rwei  4
Affiliations
Review

Miniaturized therapeutic systems for ultrasound-modulated drug delivery to the central and peripheral nervous system

Pancheng Zhu et al. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2024 May.

Abstract

Ultrasound is a promising technology to address challenges in drug delivery, including limited drug penetration across physiological barriers and ineffective targeting. Here we provide an overview of the significant advances made in recent years in overcoming technical and pharmacological barriers using ultrasound-assisted drug delivery to the central and peripheral nervous system. We commence by exploring the fundamental principles of ultrasound physics and its interaction with tissue. The mechanisms of ultrasonic-enhanced drug delivery are examined, as well as the relevant tissue barriers. We highlight drug transport through such tissue barriers utilizing insonation alone, in combination with ultrasound contrast agents (e.g., microbubbles), and through innovative particulate drug delivery systems. Furthermore, we review advances in systems and devices for providing therapeutic ultrasound, as their practicality and accessibility are crucial for clinical application.

Keywords: Cavitation; Implantable device; Microbubble; Sonochemistry; Sonosensitizer; Ultrasound transducer; Wearable device.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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