Iontophoresis

This is a process or technique involving the transport of ionic or charged molecules into a tissue by the passage of direct or periodic electric current through an electrolyte solution containing the ionic molecules to be delivered using an appropriate electrode polarity.

Electroporation

This process involves the application of transient high voltage electrical pulse to cause rapid reversible dissociation of the stratum corneum through which large and small peptides, oligonucleotides and other drugs can pass in significant amounts. It involves temporary changes in membrane cells due to the application of large transmembrane voltage.

Sonophoresis

This involves the use of low-frequency ultrasound waves. The ultrasound application results in the permeation of low-frequency ultrasound, which in turn, increases severalfold the permeability of the skin to many drugs including high molecular weight protein.

Phonophoresis

The movement of drugs through living intact skin and into the soft tissues under the ultrasound perturbation is called phonophoresis. The technique involves placing an ultrasound coupling agent on the skin over the area to be treated and massaging the area with an ultrasound source.

Vesicular Concept

In this process, drug-enclosed vehicle made from phospholipids and nonionic surfactants is used for transport of drug into and across the skin.