In vivo transdermal delivery using a shock tube

A shock tube was utilized for transdermal delivery in fuzzy rats. Rhodamine-B dextran, 10 kDa molecular weight, was used as the probe molecule. Shock waves were generated by a two-stage shock tube. A single shock wave was applied onto the skin to permeabilize the stratum corneum. Subsequently, the dextran solution diffused through the stratum corneum into the epidermis. Fluorescence microscopy of biopsies showed that the dextran was delivered to a depth of m into the skin. Thus, the shock tube could become an inexpensive device for transdermal drug delivery. Received 19 February 2000 / Accepted 29 June 2000