Application of ultrasound energy as a new drug delivery system

Ultrasound has been in use for the last three decades as a modality for dia gnostic imaging in medicine. Recently, there have been numerous reports on the application of nonthermal ultrasound energy for targeting or controllin g drug release, This new concept of therapeutic ultrasound combined with dr ugs has led to much excitement in various medical fields. Ultrasound energy can enhance the effects of thrombolytic agents such as urokinase. Therapeu tic ultrasound catheters are currently being developed for treatment of car diovascular diseases. Devices with ultrasound transducers implanted in tran sdermal drug patches are also being evaluated for possible delivery of insu lin through the skin. Chemical activation of drugs by ultrasound energy for treatment of cancers is another new field recently termed "Sonodynamic The rapy". Various examples of ultrasound application are under investigation w hich could lead to revolutionary drug delivery systems in the future.