Enhanced Ultrasound-Enhanced Delivery of Drugs for Ophthalmic Care

Publication ID: 24-11857459_0001_PTD

Published: October 28, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Ultrasound-Enhanced Delivery of Drugs for Ophthalmic Care,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857459_0001_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857459_0001_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,459.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved system and method for ultrasound-enhanced delivery of drugs to intraocular spaces, featuring optimized frequency, novel geometry, real-time monitoring, and combination with micro-needles to enhance delivery efficiency and safety.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a system and method for ultrasound-enhanced delivery of drugs to intraocular spaces. However, the existing design had limitations in terms of delivery efficiency, safety, and adaptability to different types of drugs. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing novel features that optimize the ultrasound frequency, applicator geometry, and real-time monitoring to ensure more efficient and targeted drug delivery.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced system and method comprise an ultrasound-generating device designed to operate at a frequency optimized for a specific type of drug, thereby enhancing delivery efficiency. The drug applicator features a novel geometry that minimizes ultrasound attenuation, improving delivery efficiency. Additionally, the system includes a real-time monitoring module that tracks the delivery process and adjusts the ultrasound frequency and intensity in real-time, ensuring optimal delivery. Furthermore, the method can be combined with micro-needles to create micro-pores in the sclera, increasing the drug permeation rate. The new claims provide a more efficient, safe, and adaptable solution for ophthalmic care.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel features that optimize the ultrasound frequency, applicator geometry, and real-time monitoring, which are not present in the original patent. The combination of these features provides a significant improvement in delivery efficiency and safety, making the new inventive concept non-obvious and novel compared to the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include varying the geometry of the drug applicator, using different types of ultrasound transducers, or integrating additional sensors to monitor the delivery process. Variations could also include adapting the system for delivery of different types of drugs or for use in other medical applications.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced system and method for ultrasound-enhanced delivery of drugs have significant commercial potential in the ophthalmic care industry, particularly for treating diseases such as central retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion, and macular degeneration. The market for ophthalmic drug delivery systems is expected to grow, driven by an increasing demand for effective and safe treatments.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A61	A61F9/0008
A	A61	A61M37/0092
A	A61	A61F2250/0093

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Ophthalmic drug delivery systems, specifically ultrasound-enhanced transscleral drug delivery technologies, requiring expertise in biomedical engineering, medical device design, and pharmaceutical formulation

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device researcher with advanced degrees in bioengineering or medical technology, possessing knowledge of ultrasound physics, drug delivery mechanisms, and ophthalmic medical interventions

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's ultrasound drug delivery system. The disclosed modifications of frequency optimization, geometry adjustment, and real-time monitoring are logical extensions of existing technological capabilities in ultrasound-enhanced drug delivery. These variations represent standard problem-solving approaches that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to incrementally improve drug delivery efficiency.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Drug applicator with ultrasound transducer for intraocular drug delivery

PTD Variation

Frequency-optimized ultrasound generation matched to specific drug properties

Obviousness Reasoning

Selecting optimal ultrasound frequencies for specific drug molecules represents a routine optimization technique known in the field of drug delivery, involving predictable application of established physical principles

Source Patent Element

Scleral surface drug applicator with coupling capabilities

PTD Variation

Novel applicator geometry designed to minimize ultrasound attenuation

Obviousness Reasoning

Geometric modifications to improve signal transmission are standard design iterations that a skilled engineer would naturally explore to enhance device performance

Source Patent Element

Basic drug delivery system with ultrasound transducer

PTD Variation

Real-time monitoring module for adjusting ultrasound frequency and intensity

Obviousness Reasoning

Implementing feedback control mechanisms is a well-known engineering approach for improving precision and efficacy of medical delivery systems, representing an obvious technological progression

Source Patent Element

Transscleral drug delivery method

PTD Variation

Combination of ultrasound with micro-needle technology to create scleral micro-pores

Obviousness Reasoning

Integrating complementary drug delivery technologies is a predictable solution for enhancing permeation, utilizing known techniques from microneedle and ultrasound research domains

Source Patent Element

Ultrasound-enhanced drug applicator for intraocular spaces

PTD Variation

Adaptable system design for different drug types and medical applications

Obviousness Reasoning

Developing versatile medical device platforms that can be modified for multiple drug delivery scenarios represents a standard approach in biomedical engineering design

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857459 and the disclosed technological variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed innovations obvious and therefore unpatentable. The incremental improvements in ultrasound-enhanced drug delivery represent predictable engineering solutions that do not rise to the level of non-obvious invention, thereby constituting prior art that would render subsequent similar claims obvious under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,459
Title	System and method for ultrasound-enhanced delivery of drugs
Assignee(s)	SONIKURE HOLDINGS LIMITED