Charge-based Delivery of Molecules to Skin Using Atmospheric Plasmas

Abstract

We report the design, development and characterization of new atmospheric plasma-based protocols currently being examined in vivo using small animal models. Previously developed electric field mediated drug and gene delivery protocols use a pulsed DC voltage applied between electrodes on or in tissue to generate the required electric field to induce delivery of molecules. Plasma sources deliver roughly a million times less charge to skin compared with direct electrode-driven delivery methods, yet the efficiency of the process is dramatically similar with respect to the introduction of molecules to skin cells.