title: Devices for overcoming biological barriers: the use of physical forces to disrupt the barriers.
abstract: Overcoming biological barriers including skin, mucosal membranes, blood brain barrier as well as cell and nuclear membrane constitutes a key hurdle in the field of drug delivery. While these barriers serve the natural protective function in the body, they limit delivery of drugs into the body. A variety of methods have been developed to overcome these barriers including formulations, targeting peptides and device-based technologies. This review focuses on the use of physical methods including acoustic devices, electric devices, high-pressure devices, microneedles and optical devices for disrupting various barriers in the body including skin and other membranes. A summary of the working principles of these devices and their ability to enhance drug delivery is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, 93106, USA. Samir@engineering.ucsb.edu
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitragotri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods