AU2015204559B2 - Liquid vehicle for suspension of undelivered particles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions comprising energy (e.g., light) absorbing submicron particles (e.g., nanoparticles comprising a silica core and a gold shell) and methods for delivering such particles via topical application. This delivery is facilitated by application of mechanical agitation (e.g. massage), acoustic vibration in the range of 10 Hz-20 kHz, ultrasound, alternating suction and pressure, and microjets. Additionally or optionally, there is a step of applying a sufficient amount of a liquid to the treatment area after substantial evaporation of the formulation leaves a particle residue on the skin surface. Thereafter, one or more steps of facilitating delivery of particles into a portion of the skin are repeated. Finally, the particles are exposed to a suitable energy activation, thereby providing the desired treatment or clinical outcome.

Description

LIQUID VEHICLE FOR SUSPENSION OF UNDELIVERED PARTICLES

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application includes subject matter that may be related to subject matter described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/787,655, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.

2012/0059307, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,773, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This application relates to methods of enhanced delivery of particles and other light absorbing materials into pores by reuse of undelivered materials via addition of liquid vehicle to re-suspend or dissolve the material.

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is a follicular skin disease that may be characterized by the appearance of comedones, papules, nodules, and cysts. Comedones are hair follicles that are blocked with a keratin plug. Open comedones, those in which the keratin plug is 20 visible, may form black heads and closed comedones may form whiteheads that may progress to inflamed papules, nodules, and cysts. The presence of bacteria in a follicle may attract white blood cells to the follicle, which may cause an inflammatory response seen as papules (red bumps), pustules, and nodules. Acne may be minor, where only a few comedones or papules are present, or it may be highly inflammatory and leave disfiguring 25 scars. Improved methods of treating or ameliorating follicular skin diseases, such as acne vulgaris, may thus be required.

Selective photothermolysis with externally added light absorbing material into the sebaceous follicle followed by laser irradiation has been developed as a treatment of some forms of acne. An example of the light absorbing material may be the silica core: gold 30 shell microparticles called nanoshells that were developed by Halas and others at Rice University. These materials may be expensive and it may be desired to reduce the amount used. An exemplary treatment may involve application of a suspension of the particles to the skin surface followed by mechanical methods such as a massage or other techniques

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 described below. These particles may be suspended in a liquid that typically consists of water, ethanol, diisopropyl adipate, and polyethyelene glycol. These may be typically low viscosity formulations and as mentioned earlier, the particle delivery may be aided by one or more different techniques. The bulk flow of the fluid containing the particles from the 5 skin surface through the pores to the target sebaceous follicles may be the primary method of transport of the particles. With this method, the fraction of particles delivered into the follicles compared to the total applied to the skin surface may be very small. For example, it may be estimated that only about 1% of the particles that are applied to the facial skin make it into the follicles. Also, the fluid (vehicle) portion of the suspension may 10 evaporate within a short time, for instance, in less than a minute. After the substantial evaporation, the transport of the particles into the sebaceous follicles may be minimal or zero.

It may be desirable to have a method that may achieve more effective utilization of the particles within a formulation.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

As described below, the present disclosure may provide methods for treating or ameliorating follicular skin diseases (e.g., acne) in a subject (e.g., a human) and compositions comprising energy (e.g., light) absorbing submicron particles (e.g., nanoparticles comprising a silica core and a gold shell) and methods for delivering such 25 particles via topical application into, e.g., a hair follicle, sebaceous duct, and/or sebaceous gland, for use in accordance with those methods.

Thus, in one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of treating or ameliorating a follicular skin disease in a subject, the method comprising:

a) topically applying a formulation of a first liquid comprising a vehicle and a plurality of light absorbing sub-micron particles to the subject's skin, the lightabsorbing sub-micron particles being suspended within the vehicle, wherein a portion of the vehicle evaporates from the subject’s skin after being applied;

b) facilitating penetration of at least one of the plurality of light-absorbing sub-micron particles into a plurality of hair follicles in said skin;

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

c) topically applying a second liquid, said second liquid not comprising said submicron particles therein, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of lightabsorbing sub-micron particles that remain on said skin after said facilitating step, are resuspended in a vehicle of said second liquid during application of said second liquid;

d) facilitating penetration of at least a portion of said plurality of light-absorbing submicron particles that were resuspended within a vehicle of said second liquid into the plurality of hair follicles in said skin; and

e) exposing said plurality of light-absorbing sub-micron particles that have penetrated said plurality of hair follicles in said skin to energy activation comprising laser irradiation.

In some embodiments, the skin may comprise at least one member of the group consisting of a sebaceous gland, sebaceous gland duct, infundibulum of the skin, an eccrine gland duct or an eccrine gland an apocrine gland, and an apocrine gland duct.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of improving the appearance of enlarged pores in the skin of a subject, the method comprising: topically applying a formulation comprising sub-micron particles comprising a light absorbing materials to the subject's skin; facilitating delivery of the materials to a hair follicle, sebaceous gland, sebaceous gland duct, or infundibulum of the skin by mechanical agitation, acoustic 20 vibration, ultrasound, alternating suction and pressure, or microjets; and exposing the submicron particles to energy activation, thereby improving the appearance of enlarged pores in the skin of the subject.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of improving the appearance of oily skin of a subject, the method comprising: topically applying a 25 formulation comprising sub-micron particles comprising a light absorbing materials to the subject's skin; facilitating delivery of the sub-micron particles to a hair follicle, sebaceous gland, sebaceous gland duct, or infundibulum of the skin by mechanical agitation, acoustic vibration, ultrasound, alternating suction and pressure, or microjets; and exposing the submicron particles to energy activation, thereby improving the appearance of oily skin of the 30 subject.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for permanently removing hair of a subject, the method comprising: topically applying a light-absorbing material to the skin of the subject, and exposing the material to energy activation, thereby permanently removing the hair. In one embodiment, the hair is lightly pigmented or thin hair. In

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 another embodiment, the method further comprises epilating hair from the follicle of the subject before topically applying the light-absorbing material to the skin of the subject and exposing the material to energy activation.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for treating hyperhidrosis by thermally damaging eccrine glands or their surrounding area, the method comprising: topically applying a light-absorbing material to the skin of a subject, and exposing the material to energy activation, thereby permanently removing the glands and treating hyperhidrosis.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of facilitating delivery of a 10 light absorbing material to a target volume within the skin of a subject to achieve a therapeutic effect, the method comprising: topically applying a formulation comprising a light absorbing material to a subject's skin to deliver the material to a reservoir within the skin; facilitating delivery of the material to a target volume within the skin of the subject by irradiating the skin with a first series of light pulses; and exposing the light absorbing 15 material to a second series of light pulses to heat the material and thermally damage the target volume to achieve a therapeutic effect.

In still another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of facilitating delivery of a light absorbing material to a target volume within the skin of a subject to achieve a therapeutic effect, the method comprising: topically applying a formulation comprising a 20 light absorbing material to a subject's skin; facilitating delivery of the material to a reservoir in the skin by mechanical agitation; facilitating delivery of the material to a target volume within the skin by applying a train of low-energy laser pulses each pulse lasting for a microsecond or less to drive the material into the target volume; and exposing the light absorbing material to a second series of low-energy laser pulses to heat the 25 material and thermally damage the target volume to achieve a therapeutic effect.

Still another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of treating or ameliorating a follicular skin disease of a subject, the method comprising: topically applying a formulation comprising a sub-micron particle comprising a light absorbing material to a subject's skin; facilitating delivery of the material from the skin into a hair follicle by 30 acoustically created microjets in the formulation; and exposing the sub-micron particle to energy activation, thereby treating the follicular skin disease.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of treating or ameliorating a follicular skin disease of a subject, the method comprising: exposing the subject's skin to a formulation comprising sub-micron particles comprising a light absorbing material; and

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 facilitating delivery of the material from the skin into a hair follicle by low frequency ultrasound induced cavitation within the formulation near the surface of the skin adjacent to the hair follicle; and exposing the sub-micron particles to energy activation, thereby treating the follicular skin disease.

Still another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of facilitating delivery of a light absorbing material to a target volume within the skin of a subject, the method comprising: topically applying a formulation comprising a light absorbing material to a subject's skin to deliver the material to a reservoir within the target volume of the skin; facilitating delivery of the material to a target volume within the skin of the subject 10 substantially via a transfollicular pathway; and exposing the light absorbing material to a series of light pulses to heat the material and thermally damage the target volume to achieve a therapeutic effect.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of treating or ameliorating a follicular skin disease of a subject, the method comprising: topically applying a 15 formulation comprising particles of a light absorbing material to a subject's skin; acoustically cavitating the formulation for selectively facilitating delivery of the particles in the formulation into a sebaceous gland primarily through the corresponding hair follicle; and irradiating the particles with light to treat the follicular skin disease.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of treating or ameliorating a 20 follicular skin disease of a subject, the method comprising: topically applying a formulation comprising sub-micron particles comprising a light absorbing material to a subject's skin; delivering the formulation into one or more sebaceous glands substantially via a transfollicular pathway; and exposing the sub-micron particles to energy activation, thereby treating the follicular skin disease.

Still another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of treating or ameliorating a follicular skin disease of a subject, the method comprising: topically applying a formulation comprising a sub-micron particle comprising a light absorbing material to a subject's skin; facilitating delivery of the material into a hair follicle by low frequency ultrasound induced cavitation near the surface of the skin adjacent to the hair follicle; and 30 treating or ameliorating the follicular skin disease adjacent to the sub-micron particle using heat produced by irradiating the sub-micron particle with light.

The above-described method aspects of the disclosure or other aspects of the disclosure described herein include a plurality of useful embodiments that are universally applicable to the methods of the disclosure described herein.

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

Thus, in one embodiment, delivery of the light absorbing material into, e.g., the hair follicle, may be facilitated by ultrasound-created microjets within the formulation.

In another embodiment, the sub-micron particles to energy activation may comprise irradiating the sub-micron particle with light, and thereby may heat the particle.

In another embodiment, the sub-micron particles may be within a sebaceous gland during irradiation. In one embodiment, the sub-micron particles may be substantially completely within the sebaceous gland during irradiation. In another embodiment, the submicron particles may be within a sebaceous gland duct during irradiation. In yet another embodiment, the sub-micron particles may be substantially completely within the 10 sebaceous gland duct during irradiation. In still another embodiment, the sub-micron particles may be within an infundibulum involved in the follicular skin disease.

In certain embodiments, the light absorbing material in the formulation may comprise a photoactive compound, photodynamic therapy (PDT) pro-drug or PDT drug.

In one embodiment, the application of ultrasound may be at a frequency in the 15 range of 20 kHz to 500 kHz. In another embodiment, the application of ultrasound may be at a frequency in the range of 20 kHz to 100 kHz. In yet another embodiment, the application of ultrasound may be at a frequency in the range of 20 kHz to 60 kHz. In still another embodiment, the application of ultrasound energy may be at a frequency in the range of 30 kHz to 50 kHz.

In one embodiment, the ultrasound power density may be from about 0.5-50 W/cm². In another embodiment, the ultrasound horn face peak-to-peak amplitude displacement may be in the range of 0.5 to 30 microns.

In certain other embodiments, the sizes of sub-micron particles according to the disclosure may be selected for passage through the hair follicle and into a sebaceous gland of the hair follicle. In one embodiment, the hair follicle may be a terminal follicle. In another embodiment, the hair follicle may be a vellus follicle. In yet another embodiment, the hair follicle may be a sebaceous follicle.

In one embodiment, the sub-micron particle size may be between about 0.01 microns to about 1.0 microns. In another embodiment, the sub-micron particle size may be between about 0.05 to about 0.25 microns.

In one embodiment, the facilitating step may further comprise selecting characteristics for the ultrasound-created microjets to create bubbles in the formulation

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 about the same size as the hair follicle pore. In another embodiment, the facilitating step may further comprise selecting characteristics for low frequency ultrasound induced cavitation for creating bubbles in the formulation about the same size as the hair follicle.

In other embodiments, the ultrasound-created microjets in the formulation may be within about 50 microns to about 100 microns of the surface of the skin of the subject.

In certain embodiments, delivery of the light absorbing matter may be facilitated by an immersion cavitation step. In one embodiment, the facilitating step may produce cavitation within about 50-100 microns of the surface of the skin. In another embodiment, the portion of the stratum comeum of the portion of the subject's skin exposed to the 10 delivery step may remain intact. In certain other embodiments, delivery, e.g., substantially via a transfollicular pathway, of the light absorbing material into, e.g., one or more sebaceous glands or hair follicles, may be facilitated by low frequency ultrasound induced cavitation near the surface of the skin adjacent to the hair follicle. In one embodiment, the induced cavitation may be between about 50 microns to about 100 microns from the 15 surface of the skin. In another embodiment, the characteristics of the low frequency ultrasound may be selected such that the induced cavitation near the surface of the skin leaves the stratum comeum intact.

In one embodiment, the follicular disease for treatment may be hyperhidrosis. In certain embodiments, the facilitating step may deliver particles into an eccrine gland via 20 the eccrine gland duct.

In other embodiments, the follicular disease for treatment may be acne vulagris. In yet other embodiments, the follicular disease for treatment may be sebaceous hyperplasia. In still other embodiments, the follicular disease for treatment may behirsuteness.

In one embodiment, the sub-micron particles may be coated with PEG. In another embodiment the particles may have an absorption peaked between 700 and 1,100 nm wavelength of light. In another embodiment, the sub-micron particles may have a ratio of the shell diameter to the core diameter between about 1.05 to about 2.0.

In another embodiment, the sub-micron particle may be a nanoparticle or 30 nanoshell. In certain embodiments, the nanoparticle or nanoshell may have a diameter of about 50 to about 300 nm (e.g., 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300 nm). In one embodiment, the nanoparticle or nanoshell may have a diameter of about 50 to about 250 nm. In another embodiment, the nanoparticle may have a diameter of about 150 nm.

In another embodiment, the nanoparticle may be coated with PEG.

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

In yet another embodiment, the nanoparticle may be a nanoshell. In certain embodiments, the nanoparticle may comprise a silica core and a gold shell.

In certain embodiments, the sub-micron particles may comprise from about 0.5% to about 2% of the formulation. In one embodiment, the formulation may comprise about

0.5 to about 2% of a suspension comprising nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the formulation may comprise about 0.1 to about 10% of a suspension comprising nanoparticles.

In one embodiment, the formulation may contain a surfactant and/or may be hydrophilic. In another embodiment, the formulation may contain a surfactant and/or may 10 be lipophilic. In yet another embodiment, the formulation may contain a surfactant and/or may be liposomal. In certain embodiments, when having a surfactant, the surfactant may be less than 10% of the formulation.

In certain embodiments, the formulation may comprise a component having ability to solubilize lipids. In one embodiment, the component may be ethanol.

In one embodiment, the formulation may comprise one or more of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, a surfactant, and/or isopropyl adipate. In another embodiment, the formulation may comprise hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In still another embodiment, the formulation may comprise any one or more of water, ethanol, propylene glycol, polysorbate 80, diisopropyl 20 adipate, phospholipon, and thickening agents.

In certain embodiments, the formulation may have an optical density of between 5500. In one embodiment, the formulation may have an optical density of about 75. In another embodiment, the formulation may have an optical density of about 125. In another embodiment, the formulation may have an optical density of about 250.

In certain embodiments, energy activation, e.g., light activation, may be accomplished with a pulsed laser light that delivers light energy at a wavelength that is absorbed by the particle. In one embodiment, the pulsed laser light may deliver light energy at a wavelength that is preferentially absorbed by the particle. In another embodiment, energy activation may be accomplished with a continuous laser that delivers light energy at a wavelength that is absorbed by the particle

In one embodiment, the light energy may have a wavelength range from about 700 to about 1,100 nm. In another embodiment, the light energy may have a fluence of less than about 100 J/cm². In still another embodiment, the light energy may have a pulse duration of from about 0.5 ms-1,000 ms.

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In certain embodiments, the skin may be prepared for the method by heating, by removing the follicular contents, and/or by epilation. In one embodiment, the follicular contents may be removed by a method comprising contacting the follicle pore with adhesive polymers.

In certain other embodiments, the topically applied sub-micron particles may be wiped from the skin prior to energy activation. In one embodiment, the topically applied sub-micron particles may be wiped from the skin with the aid of a fluid, prior to application of optical radiation. In another embodiment, the fluid may be water, ethanol, acetone, or a combination of two or more of water, ethanol, and acetone. In another 10 embodiment, the fluid may be comprised of one or more of water, solvents, surfactants, alcohols.

In certain other embodiments, the skin may be heated before, during, or after topical application to a temperature sufficient to assist in follicular delivery. In one embodiment, the heating may be accomplished via ultrasound. In another embodiment, the 15 heating may be accomplished via steam. In yet another embodiment, the heating may be accomplished via hot packs. In still another embodiment, heating may be accomplished via hot towels. In general, the heating may not be sufficient to cause pain, tissue damage, burns, or other heat-related effects in the skin. In one embodiment, the temperature may be about 35-44° C. In another embodiment, the temperature may be about 40-44° C. In yet 20 another embodiment, the temperature may be about 42° C.

In certain embodiments, the step of exposing may further comprise placing a volume of the formulation in a container so that the formulation is in contact with the subject's skin. In one embodiment, the step of facilitating may further comprise placing an ultrasound applicator into the container and immersed in the formulation.

In one embodiment, the target volume may be the sebaceous gland, the target volume may bewithin the follicle beneath the skin.

In another aspect, the disclosure may provide a composition comprising a cosmetically acceptable carrier and a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles in an amount effective to induce thermomodulation in a target tissue region with which the composition 30 is topically contacted.

In one embodiment, the plasmonic nanoparticles may be activated by exposure to energy delivered from a nonlinear excitation surface plasmon resonance source to the target tissue region. In another embodiment, the plasmonic nanoparticle may comprise a metal, metallic composite, metal oxide, metallic salt, electric conductor, electric

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 superconductor, electric semiconductor, dielectric, quantum dot or composite from a combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, a substantial amount of the plasmonic particles present in the composition may comprise geometrically-tuned nanostructures.

In one embodiment, the plasmonic particles may comprise any geometric shape currently known or to be created that absorb light and generate plasmon resonance at a desired wavelength, including nanoplates, solid nanoshells, hollow nanoshells, nanorods, nanorice, nanospheres, nanofibers, nanowires, nanopyramids, nanoprisms, nanostars or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the plasmonic particles may comprise silver, gold, nickel, copper, titanium, silicon, galadium, palladium, platinum, or chromium.

In one embodiment, the cosmetically acceptable carrier may comprise an additive, a colorant, an emulsifier, a fragrance, a humectant, a polymerizable monomer, a stabilizer, a solvent, or a surfactant. In one particular embodiment, the surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of sodium laureth 2-sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium octech-l/deceth-1 sulfate, lipids, proteins, peptides or derivatives thereof. In another specific embodiment the surfactant may be present in the composition in an amount between about 0.1 and about 10.0% weight-to-weight of the carrier.

In one embodiment, the solvent may be selected from the group consisting of water, propylene glycol, alcohol, hydrocarbon, chloroform, acid, base, acetone, diethylether, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, 20 dichloromethane, and ethylacetate.

In another embodiment, the composition may comprise plasmonic particles that may have an optical density of at least about 1 O.D. at one or more peak resonance wavelengths.

In yet another embodiment, the plasmonic particles may comprise a hydrophilic or aliphatic coating, wherein the coating does not substantially adsorb to skin of a mammalian subject, and wherein the coating may comprise polyethylene glycol, silica, silica-oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polystyrene, a protein or a peptide.

In one embodiment, the thermomodulation may comprise damage, ablation, lysis, denaturation, deactivation, activation, induction of inflammation, activation of heat shock proteins, perturbation of cell-signaling or disruption to the cell microenvironment in the target tissue region.

In another embodiment, the target tissue region may comprise a sebaceous gland, a component of a sebaceous gland, a sebocyte, a component of a sebocyte, sebum, or hair

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 follicle infundibulum.

In a specific embodiment, the target tissue region may comprise a bulge, a bulb, a stem cell, a stem cell niche, a dermal papilla, a cortex, a cuticle, a hair sheath, a medulla, a pylori muscle, a Huxley layer, or a Henle layer.

In another aspect, the disclosure may provide a method for performing targeted ablation of a tissue to treat a mammalian subject in need thereof, comprising the steps of i) topically administering to a skin surface of the subject a composition of the disclosure as described above; ii) providing penetration means to redistribute the plasmonic particles from the skin surface to a component of dermal tissue; and iii) causing irradiation of the 10 skin surface by light.

In one embodiment, the light source may comprise excitation of mercury, xenon, deuterium, or a metal-halide, phosphorescence, incandescence, luminescence, light emitting diode, or sunlight.

In another embodiment, the penetration means may comprise high frequency 15 ultrasound, low frequency ultrasound, massage, iontophoresis, high pressure air flow, high pressure liquid flow, vacuum, pre-treatment with fractionated photothermolysis or dermabrasion, or a combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the irradiation may comprise light having a wavelength of light between about 200 nm and about 10,000 nm, a fluence of about 1 to 20 about 100 joules/cm², a pulse width of about 1 femptosecond to about 1 second, and a repetition frequency of about 1 Hz to about 1 THz.

In another aspect, the disclosure may provide a composition comprising a cosmetically acceptable carrier, an effective amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate, and a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles in an amount effective to induce thermal damage in a 25 target tissue region with which the composition is topically contacted, wherein the nanoparticles have an optical density of at least about 1 O.D. at a resonance wavelength of about 810 nanometers or 1064 nanometers, wherein the plasmonic particles comprise a silica coating from about 5 to about 35 nanometers, wherein the acceptable carrier may comprise water and propylene glycol.

In still another aspect, the disclosure may provide a system for laser ablation of hair or treatment of acne comprising a composition of the disclosure as described above and a source of plasmonic energy suitable for application to the human skin.

Various aspects of the disclosure provides compositions, methods and systems for treating follicular skin diseases as well as more effective utilization of particles within a

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 provided formulation or above described treatment technique.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a micrograph showing thermal damage to the follicular epithelium and part of the sebaceous gland following delivery of a nanoshell suspension by massage.

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the skin surface after application of the nanoshell formulation with ultrasound facilitated delivery. Excess formulation was wiped from the skin before this photograph was taken.

FIG. 3 is a micrograph showing a follicle filled with dark colored nanoshells 10 following ultrasound facilitated delivery. No nanoshells are noted in the epidermis or the dermis.

FIG. 4 is a micrograph showing a hair follicle and surrounding skin after ultrasound delivery of nanoshells and laser irradiation visualized by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E stain). Selective thermal damage around the follicle is shown by the added black 15 delineation.

FIG. 5 is a photograph showing the skin surface. Accumulation of nanoshells in the follicles is seen.

FIG. 6 is a micrograph showing a follicle having a significant accumulation of nanoshells.

FIG. 7 is a micrograph showing localized thermal damage to a follicle encompassing the sebaceous gland visualized using H&E stain.

FIG. 8 is a table showing the efficacy of nanoshell delivery followed by laser treatment in a human clinical trial of back acne.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure features compositions comprising light/energy absorbing materials and methods that are useful for their topical delivery to a target (e.g., a follicle, follicular infundibulum, sebaceous gland) for the treatment of a follicular disease.

DEFINITIONS

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The following references provide one of skill with a general definition of many of the terms used in this disclosure: Singleton et al., Dictionary of Microbiology and

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Molecular Biology (2nd ed. 1994); The Cambridge Dictionary of Science and Technology (Walker ed., 1988); The Glossary of Genetics, 5th Ed., R. Rieger et al. (eds.), Springer

Verlag (1991); and Hale & Marham, The Harper Collins Dictionary of Biology (1991). As used herein, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them below, unless specified otherwise.

By ameliorate is meant decrease, suppress, attenuate, diminish, arrest, or stabilize the development or progression of a skin disease or condition. One exemplary skin condition is acne vulgaris

The terms compounds and materials are used interchangeably and refer to o active moieties in accordance with the disclosure.

In this disclosure, comprises, comprising, containing and having and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law and can mean includes, including, and the like; consisting essentially of or consists essentially likewise has the meaning ascribed in U.S. Patent law and the term is open-ended, allowing for the 15 presence of more than that which is recited so long as basic or novel characteristics of that which is recited is not changed by the presence of more than that which is recited, but excludes prior art embodiments.

Detect refers to identifying the presence, absence or amount of the analyte to be detected.

By effective amount is meant the amount of a required to ameliorate the symptoms of a disease relative to an untreated patient. The effective amount of active compound(s) used to practice the present disclosure for therapeutic treatment of a disease varies depending upon the manner of administration, the age, body weight, and general health of the subject. Ultimately, the attending physician or veterinarian will decide the 25 appropriate amount and dosage regimen. Such amount is referred to as an effective amount.

By energy activation is meant stimulation by an energy source that causes thermal or chemical activity. Energy activation may be by any energy source known in the art. Exemplary energy sources include a laser, ultrasound, acoustic source, flashlamp, 30 ultraviolet light, an electromagnetic source, microwaves, or infrared light. An energy absorbing material absorbs the energy and become thermally or chemically active.

The terms light, light energy, optical energy and optical radiation are used interchangeable herein.

As used herein, obtaining as in obtaining an agent includes synthesizing,

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 purchasing, or otherwise acquiring the agent.

The phrase pharmaceutically acceptable carrier as used herein means a pharmaceutically acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material, involved in carrying or 5 transporting an energy activatable material of the present disclosure within or to the subject such that it can performs its intended function. Each carrier must be acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not injurious to the patient. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include: sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches, such as 10 corn starch and potato starch; cellulose, and its derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients, such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; glycols, such as propylene glycol; polyols, such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol; esters, such 15 as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol; phosphate buffer solutions; and other non-toxic compatible substances employed in pharmaceutical formulations. Preferred carriers include those which are capable of entering a pore by surface action and solvent transport such that the energy 20 activatable material is carried into or about the pore, e.g., into the sebaceous gland, to the plug, into the infundibulum and/or into the sebaceous gland and infundibulum.

By reduces is meant a negative alteration of at least 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%.

By reference is meant a standard or control condition.

By subject is meant a mammal, including, but not limited to, a human or nonhuman mammal, such as a bovine, equine, canine, ovine, or feline.

Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 30 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,

35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50.

As used herein, the terms treat, treating, treatment, and the like refer to reducing or ameliorating a disorder and/or symptoms associated therewith. It will be appreciated that, although not precluded, treating a disorder or condition does not require

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 that the disorder, condition or symptoms associated therewith be completely eliminated.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term or is understood to be inclusive. Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the terms a, an, and the are understood to be singular or plural.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term about is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. About can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the 10 term about.

The recitation of a listing of chemical groups in any definition of a variable herein includes definitions of that variable as any single group or combination of listed groups. The recitation of an embodiment for a variable or aspect herein includes that embodiment as any single embodiment or in combination with any other embodiments or portions 15 thereof.

Any compositions or methods provided herein can be combined with one or more of any of the other compositions and methods provided herein.

Follicular Disease Pathogenesis

Sebaceous glands are components of the pilosebaceous unit. They are located throughout the body, especially on the face and upper trunk, and produce sebum, a lipidrich secretion that coats the hair and the epidermal surface. Sebaceous glands are involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, the most frequent one being acne vulgaris. Acne is a multifactorial disease characterized by the occlusion of follicles by plugs made out of 25 abnormally shed keratinocytes of the infundibulum (upper portion of the hair follicle) in the setting of excess sebum production by hyperactive sebaceous glands.

The infundibulum is an important site in the pathogenesis of many follicular diseases (e.g., acne). There is evidence that abnormal proliferation and desquamation of infundibular keratinocytes leads to the formation of microcomedones and, subsequently, to 30 clinically visible follicular plugs or comedones. Because the architecture of the infundibulum is important in the pathogenesis of acne, the selective destruction of this portion of the follicle through energy activatable material-assisted energy, e.g., laser, targeting eliminates or reduces the site of pathology.

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

Topical Delivery of Light/Energy Absorbing Materials

The disclosure provides delivery of light/energy absorbing materials via topical application into skin appendages of the follicle, specifically follicular infundibulum and the sebaceous gland. In one embodiment, such materials are useful for the treatment of 5 follicular diseases, such as acne (e.g., acne vulgaris). In another emobidment, such materials are useful for the treatment of eccrine conditions such as hyperhidrosis. The introduction of energy activatable materials in sebaceous glands followed by exposure to energy (light) with a wavelength that corresponds to the absorption peak of the chromophore will increase the local absorption of light in tissue and lead to selective 10 thermal damage of sebaceous glands.

In another aspect, there is a treating of hyperhidrosis by thermally damaging eccrine glands or their surrounding area by applying a light-absorbing material to the skin of a subject, facilitating delivery into an eccrine gland via the eccrine gland duct and exposing said material to energy activation. The method thereby permanently removes the 15 glands. In one aspect, the method of treating a follicular disease is for treatment of hyperhidrosis.

Skin Preparation

If desired, the skin is prepared by one or a combination of the following methods.

Delivery of light absorbing materials may be facilitated by epilation of hair, which is performed prior to topical application of the light absorbing materials.

Optionally, the skin is degreased prior to application of the light absorbing compounds. For example, acetone wipes are used prior to application of gold nanoshells from Sebacia, Inc. (of Duluth, Ga.) to degrease the skin, especially to remove the sebum 25 and follicular contents.

For certain subjects, delivery may be facilitated by reducing or clearing clogged follicles prior to application of the light absorbing material. Such clearing can enhance the delivery of the nanoshells. The follicles, especially in acne prone patients, are clogged by shed keratinocytes, sebum, and bacteria P. Acnes. The follicle can be emptied by 30 application of vacuum. Other methods are cyanoacrylate stripping, strips with components such as Polyquatemium 37 (e.g., Biore pore removal strips). The polymers flow into the follicle and dry over time. When the dry polymer film is pulled out, the follicular contents are pulled out, emptying the follicle.

Optionally, the skin may be heated prior to application of the light absorbing

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 materials. Heating reduces the viscosity of the sebum and may liquefy components of the sebum. This can facilitate delivery of light absorbing materials (e.g., formulated as nanoshells) to the follicle.

Topical Delivery of Light Absorbing Materials

Light absorbing materials, such as non-toxic dyes (e.g., indocyanine green or methyelene blue) are topically applied to the skin following any desired preparation. The topically applied formulations containing the light absorbing materials may comprise ethanol, propylene glycol, surfactants, and acetone. Such additional components facilitate 10 delivery into the follicle.

Delivery of light absorbing materials is facilitated by application of mechanical agitation, such as massage, acoustic vibration in the range of 10 Hz-20 kHz, ultrasound, alternating suction and pressure, and jets. In one embodiment, light absorbing materials are delivered as nanoparticles, such as nanoshells or nanorods that absorb light in the 15 visible and the near-IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. In another embodiment, light absorbing materials are quantum dots. Preferably, the light absorbing materials are formulated for topical delivery in a form that facilitates follicular delivery. In one embodiment, such formulations comprise water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, surfactants, and isopropyl adipate and related compounds. In one embodiment, the 20 formulation is hydrophilic and contains a surfactant. In another embodiment, the formulation is lipophilic and contains a surfactant. In still another embodiment, the composition is liposomal and contains a surfactant. In any of the above embodiments, the surfactant is less than 10% of the formulation. In another embodiment, the formulation is hydrophilic. In still another embodiment, the formulation is lipophilic. In still another 25 embodiment, composition is liposomal.

Ultrasound Facilitated Delivery

Ultrasound has been used to achieve transdermal delivery of compounds into the body. Ultrasound appears to generate shock-waves and micro-jets resulting from bubble 30 cavitation that causes the formation of channels in the skin, which provide for the transport of molecules of interest. Previous efforts have been directed toward the delivery of the compounds through the stratum comeum. Small molecules, for example, with sizes less than 5 nm, can be delivered through the stratum corneum. The delivery rate through the stratum corneum goes down significantly as particle size increases. For example, for

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 particles with size of 50 nm and higher, the delivery rate through the stratum corneum is very low. However, this size is still much smaller than the pore opening and the infundibulum of a follicle. For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, 150 nm size silica-core and gold shell structures are used as a chromophore in treating a 5 condition affecting a subject. Such gold nanoshells are much smaller than the infundibular diameter, but are not readily deposited in skin through the stratum corneum.

These findings provide the basis of acne treatment in which the infundibulosebaceous unit is selectively targeted for first delivery of light absorbing material of appropriate size and then selective thermal damage to the unit with pulsed laser 10 irradiation. Here, ultrasound specifically facilitates the delivery of a light absorbing material into the follicular structure. The shock waves, microjet formation, and streaming deliver the light absorbing particles into the follicular infundibulum and the associated sebaceous gland duct and the sebaceous gland.

Ultrasound is often be accompanied by heating of the target organ, skin. Some 15 heating, for example, up to about 42° C. may help in follicular delivery. However, excessive heating is undesirable, causing pain, tissue damage, and burns. In one embodiment, excessive heating can be avoided by cooling the skin, for example. In another embodiment, the topically applied formulation or a coupling gel can be pre- or parallel-cooled. A low duty cycle with repeated ultrasound pulse bursts can also be used to 20 avoid excessive heating, where during the off-time, the body cools the skin that is being subjected to ultrasound energy.

In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides two methods of ultrasound delivery are suggested. One is contact ultrasound and another is immersion ultrasound.

In accordance with an embodiment of the contact ultrasound method, a formulation of the disclosure is topically applied to the skin by spreading into a thin layer and a horn vibrating at an ultrasound frequency is brought into close contact with the formulationcovered skin.

In accordance with an embodiment of the immersion ultrasound method, a 30 reservoir filled with the formulation is placed on top of the skin, a horn is immersed in it without the horn touching the skin at a distance ranging from about 2 mm to about 30 mm, and the horn is then vibrated at ultrasound frequency.

Acoustic cavitation is often an effect observed with ultrasound in liquids. In acoustic cavitation, a sound wave imposes a sinusoidally varying pressure upon existing

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 cavities in solution. During the negative pressure cycle, the liquid is pulled apart at 'weak spots'. Such weak spots can be either pre-existing bubbles or solid nucleation sites. In one embodiment, a bubble is formed which grows until it reaches a critical size known as its resonance size (Leong et al., Acoustics Australia, 2011—acoustics.asn.au, THE

FUNDAMENTALS OF POWER ULTRASOUND—A REVIEW, p 54-63). According to

Mitragotri (Biophys J. 2003; 85(6): 3502-3512), the spherical collapse of bubbles yields high pressure cores that emit shock waves with amplitudes exceeding 10 kbar (Pecha and Gompf, Phys. Rev. Lett. 2000; 84:1328-1330). Also, an aspherical collapse of bubbles near boundaries, such as skin yields microjets with velocities on the order of 100 m/s 10 (Popinet and Zaleski, 2002; J. Fluid. Meeh. 464:137-163). Such bubble-collapse phenomena can assist in delivery of materials into skin appendages, such as hair and sebaceous follicles. Thus, various embodiments of the disclosure provide for immersion ultrasound methods for optimizing bubble size before collapse to promote efficient delivery of light absorbing materials into the intended target (e.g., sebaceous glands, hair 15 follicles).

The resonance size of the bubble depends on the frequency used to generate the bubble. A simple, approximate relation between resonance and bubble diameter is given by F (in Hzj.times.D (in m)=6 mHz, where F is the frequency in Hz and D is the bubble diameter (size) in m. In practice, the diameter is usually smaller than the diameter 20 predicted by this equation due to the nonlinear nature of the bubble pulsation.

Table 1 below gives the size of the resonance size of the bubble as a function of frequency, calculated from the above relationship.

TABLE 1

F, kHz	10	20	30	40	50	100	200	300	400	500	1,000
D microns	600	300	200	150	120	60	30	20	15	12	6

Computer simulations of bubble oscillations give more accurate estimates of the bubble size. For example, in work by Yasui (J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 2002; 112: 1405-1413), three frequencies were investigated in depth. The sizes for single bubble sonoluminescing 30 (SBSL) stable bubbles are lower and ranges are given in the Table 2 below (estimated from FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 of Yasui, 2002):

TABLE 2

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

F, kHz	20	140	1,000
D microns	0.2-200	0.6 - 25	0.2-6

For efficient delivery into the follicles with cavitation bubbles, there is an optimal cavitation bubble size range. Strong cavitational shock waves are needed, which are generated with relatively large bubbles. However, if the bubble size is too large, it produces strong shock waves, which may compress the skin, reducing the pore size, and reducing efficient delivery to a target (e.g., sebaceous gland, follicle). For example, if the bubble size is much larger than the follicle opening, the resulting shock waves compress 10 not only the pore opening, but also the skin surrounding the pore opening. This inhibits efficient delivery into the follicle opening. Desirably, bubble sizes should be about the same size as the target pore. Typical pore sizes of follicles on human skin are estimated to be in the range of 12-300 microns. Thus, an advantageous ultrasound frequency range may be 20 kHz to 500 kHz. In other alternatives, the application of ultrasound frequency is in 15 the range of 20 kHz to 100 kHz, or 20 kHz to 60 kHz or even 30 kHz to 50 kHz. The desired power density is estimated to be in the range of 0.5-50 W/cm². This is sufficient to generate cavitation bubbles in the desired size range.

Immersion cavitation as used herein is defined as formation and collapse of cavitation bubbles due to the ultrasound energy within the fluid formulation.

In light of the above description, there is also provided a method of facilitating delivery of light absorbing materials into a hair follicle by selecting characteristics for the acoustically created microjets to create bubbles in the formulation about the same size as the hair follicle pore. Selecting the characteristics permits the bubbles to be about the same size as a terminal follicle, a vellus follicle, or a sebaceous follicle. In another alternative 25 implementation in light of the above description, there is also provided a method of facilitating delivery of light absorbing materials into a hair follicle by selecting characteristics for the low frequency ultrasound induced cavitation for creating bubbles in the formulation about the same size as the hair follicle. In one implementation, the hair follicle is a terminal follicle. In another implementation, the hair follicle is a vellus follicle.

In still another implementation, the hair follicle is a sebaceous follicle. In still other aspects the ultrasound created microjects or low frequency ultrasound induced cavitation

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 occurs in the formulation between about 50 microns to about 100 microns of the surface of the skin.

In another embodiment, there is also provided a method of treating or ameliorating a follicular skin disease of a subject. The method includes the step of exposing the 5 subject's skin to a formulation comprising a sub-micron particle comprising a light absorbing material to a subject's skin. Next, there is a step of facilitating delivery of said material from the skin into a hair follicle by low frequency ultrasound induced cavitation within the formulation near the surface of the skin adjacent to the hair follicle. Thereafter, exposing said sub-micron particle to energy activation, thereby treating the follicular skin 10 disease. In one alternative, there is also a step of exposing by placing a volume of the formulation in a container so that the formulation is in contact with the subject's skin. Still further, there is also a step of facilitating the method by placing an ultrasound applicator into the container and immersed in the formulation.

In still another embodiment, there is provided a method of facilitating delivery of a 15 light absorbing material to a target volume within the skin of a subject. The method includes the step of topically applying a formulation comprising a light absorbing material to a subject's skin to deliver the material to a reservoir within the target volume of the skin. Next, there is a step of facilitating delivery of said material to a target volume within the skin of the subject substantially via a transfollicular pathway. Next, there is a step of 20 exposing the light absorbing material to a series of light pulses to heat the material and thermally damage the target volume to achieve a therapeutic effect. In one alternative, the formulation has an optical density of between 5-500. In another alternative, the formulation has an optical density of about 75. In still another alternative, the formulation has an optical density of about 125. In still another alternative, the formulation has an 25 optical density of about 250. In one aspect, the target volume is the sebaceous gland. In another aspect, the target volume is within the follicle beneath the skin.

In still another aspect, the facilitating step includes an immersion cavitation step. In another alternative, there is provided a step of facilitating delivery into a sebaceous gland using immersion ultrasound. In one alternative, the facilitating step includes forming 30 microjets within the formulation. In one aspect, the facilitating using ultrasound produces cavitation within a formulation and about 50 to 100 microns of the surface of the skin. In any of the above described methods, there is also the step of acoustically cavitating the formulation for selectively facilitating delivery of said particles in the formulation into a sebaceous gland primarily through the corresponding hair follicle. Thereafter, there is the

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 step of irradiating said particles with light to treat the follicular skin disease. In one embodiment, the particles are sized from about 0.01 micron to about 1 micron. In another aspect, the particles are sized to enter into and along a follicle pore. In still other embodiments, the particles are between about 50 nm about 250 nm in diameter. In another embodiment, the particles are nanoshells.

Energy (Light) Activation

After the topical application and facilitated delivery (e.g., by mechanical agitation, ultrasound), the top of the skin is wiped off to remove the residual light absorbing 10 material. This is followed by energy (light) irradiation. The light is absorbed by the material inside the follicle or sebaceous gland leading to localized heating. The light source depends on the absorber used. For example, for nanoshells that have broad absorption spectrum tuned to 800 nm resonance wavelength, sources of light such as 800nm, 755-nm, 1,064-nm or intense pulsed light (IPL) with proper filtering can be used. In 15 one aspect, the nanoparticles in a suspension have a peak absorption between 700 and 1,100 nm wavelength of light. Such pulsed laser irradiation leads to thermal damage to the tissue surrounding the material. In one aspect, the light energy has a fluence of less than about 100 J/cm2. Damage to infundibular follicular stem cells and/or sebaceous glands leads to improvement in the follicular conditions, such as acne. Such methods can be used 20 not only for particulates in suspensions but for small dissolved molecules in solution as well. These can include pharmaceutical drugs, photodynamic therapy (PDT) pro-drugs, or PDT drugs.

Suitable energy sources include light-emitting diodes, incandescent lamps, xenon arc lamps, lasers or sunlight. Suitable examples of continuous wave apparatus include, for 25 example, diodes. Suitable flash lamps include, for example pulse dye lasers and Alexandrite lasers. Representative lasers having wavelengths strongly absorbed by some chromophores, e.g., laser sensitive dyes, within the epidermis and infundibulum but not sebaceous gland, include the short-pulsed red dye laser (504 and 510 nm), the copper vapor laser (511 nm) and the Q-switched neodymium (Nd):YAG laser having a 30 wavelength of 1064 nm that can also be frequency doubled using a potassium diphosphate crystal to produce visible green light having a wavelength of 532 nm. In the present process, selective photoactivation is employed whereby an energy (light) source, e.g., a laser, is matched with a wave-length to the absorption spectrum of the selected energy activatable material, preferably a chromophoric agent.

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

It is easier to achieve a high concentration of the light absorbing material in the infundibulum than the sebaceous duct and the gland, which provide a higher resistance to material transport. The follicle including the sebaceous gland can be irreversibly damaged just relying on light absorption principally but the material in the infundibulum. This is 5 mediated through damage to the keratinocytes in the follicular epithelium. Also, with higher energy pulses can be used to extend the thermal damage to include the stem cells in the outer root sheath, the bulge, as well as the outside periphery of the sebaceous glands. However, such high energy should not lead to undesired side effects. Such side effects can be mitigated by use of cooling of the epidermis and also use of longer pulse durations, on 10 the order of several milliseconds, extending up to 1,000 ms.

Thermal alteration of the infundibulum itself with only limited involvement of sebaceous glands may improve acne. Appearance of enlarged pores on the face is a common issue for many. This is typically due to enlarged sebaceous glands, enlarged infundibulum, as well as enlarged pore opening. Heating of tissue, especially collagen, 15 shrinks the tissue. The delivery of nanoshells and thermal targeting of the same in the infundibulo-sebaceous unit that includes the upper, lower infundibulum, as well as the sebaceous gland, will improve the appearance of enlarged pores.

Energy Absorbing Material Formulations

The disclosure provides compositions comprising light/energy absorbing materials for topical delivery. In one embodiment, a particle in the composition is a nanoparticle comprising a silica core and a gold shell. In still another embodiment, a compound of the disclosure comprises a silica core and a gold shell (150 nm). In another embodiment, nanoshells used are composed of a 120 nm diameter silica core with a 15 micron thick 25 gold shell, giving a total diameter of 150 nm.

The nanoshell is covered by a 5,000 MW PEG layer. The PEG layer prevents and/or reduces nanoshell aggregation, thereby increasing the nanoshell suspensions stability and shelf-life. In one embodiment, the nanoparticle has a diameter of about 50 to about 250 nm. In some embodiments, the ratio of the shell diameter to the core diameter of 30 the particles used herein are between about 1.5 to about 2.0. In another aspect, the particles in a formulation comprise from about 0.5% to about 2% of the formulation.

Nanoparticles of the disclosure exhibit Surface Plasmon Resonance, such that Incident light induces optical resonance of surface plasmons (oscillating electrons) in the metal. The Wavelength of peak absorption can be tuned to the near-infrared (IR) portion

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 of the electromagnetic spectrum. The submicron size of these nanoparticles allows their entry into the infundibulum, sebaceous duct and sebaceous gland of the epidermis, and minimizes their penetration of the stratum corneum. In particular embodiment, selective transfollicular penetration of nanoparticles -150-350 nm in diameter is achieved. In one 5 aspect, there is provided a method of treating or ameliorating a follicular skin disease of a subject. There is a step of topically applying a formulation comprising a sub-micron particle comprising a light absorbing material to a subject's skin. Next there is a step of delivering said formulation into one or more sebaceous glands substantially via a transfollicular pathway. Next, there is a step of exposing said sub-micron particle to 10 energy activation, thereby treating the follicular skin disease. In one aspect, a portion of the stratum corneum within the portion of the skin exposed to the delivering step remains intact. Still further, the delivering step is completed using an immersion ultrasound step whereby the portion of the stratum corneum within the portion of the skin exposed to the delivering step remains intact.

If desired, light/energy absorbing materials are provided in vehicles formulated for topical delivery. In one embodiment, a composition of the disclosure is formulated with agents that enhance follicular delivery, including but not limited to, one or more of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycols, surfactants such as polysorbate 80, Phospholipon 90, polyethylene glycol 400, and isopropyl adipate. In other embodiments, a 20 composition of the disclosure is formulated with one or more thickening agents, including but not limited to, hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), to enhance handling of the formulations.

Wetting agents, emulsifiers and lubricants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, release agents, coating agents, sweetening 25 and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the compositions.

Liquid dosage forms for topical administration of the compositions of the disclosure include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, creams, lotions, ointments, suspensions and syrups. In addition to the active ingredient, the 30 liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, peach, almond and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol,

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof.

Suspensions, in addition to the active compounds, may contain suspending agents as, for example, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitol and sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminum metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, and mixtures thereof.

The ointments, pastes, creams and gels may contain, in addition to an active compound of this disclosure, excipients, such as animal and vegetable fats, oils, waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives, polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc and zinc oxide, or mixtures thereof. The term cream is art 10 recognized and is intended to include semi-solid emulsion systems which contain both an oil and water. Oil in water creams are water miscible and are well absorbed into the skin, Aqueous Cream BP. Water in oil (oily) creams are immiscible with water and, therefore, more difficult to remove from the skin. These creams are emollients, lubricate and moisturize, e.g., Oily Cream BP. Both systems require the addition of either a natural or a 15 synthetic surfactant or emulsifier.

The term ointment is art recognized and is intended to include those systems which have oil or grease as their continuous phase. Ointments are semi-solid anhydrous substances and are occlusive, emollient and protective. Ointments restrict transepidermal water loss and are therefore hydrating and moisturizing. Ointments can be divided into 20 two main groups—fatty, e.g., White soft paraffin (petrolatum, Vaseline), and water soluble, e.g., Macrogol (polyethylene glycol) Ointment BP. The term lotion is art recognized and is intended to include those solutions typically used in dermatological applications. The term gel is art recognized and is intended to include semi-solid permutations gelled with high molecular weight polymers, e.g., carboxypolymethylene (Carbomer BP) or 25 methylcellulose, and can be regarded as semi-plastic aqueous lotions. They are typically non-greasy, water miscible, easy to apply and wash off, and are especially suitable for treating hairy parts of the body.

Subject Monitoring

The disease state or treatment of a subject having a skin disease or disorder can be monitored during treatment with a composition or method of the disclosure. Such monitoring may be useful, for example, in assessing the efficacy of a particular agent or treatment regimen in a patient. Therapeutics that promote skin health or that enhance the appearance of skin are taken as particularly useful in the disclosure.

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

Kits

The disclosure provides kits for the treatment or prevention of a skin disease or disorder, or symptoms thereof. In one embodiment, the kit includes a pharmaceutical pack 5 comprising an effective amount of a light/energy absorbing material (e.g., a nanoshell having a silica core and a gold shell (150 nm)). Preferably, the compositions are present in unit dosage form. In some embodiments, the kit comprises a sterile container which contains a therapeutic or prophylactic composition; such containers can be boxes, ampules, bottles, vials, tubes, bags, pouches, blister-packs, or other suitable container 10 forms known in the art. Such containers can be made of plastic, glass, laminated paper, metal foil, or other materials suitable for holding medicaments.

If desired compositions of the disclosure or combinations thereof are provided together with instructions for administering them to a subject having or at risk of developing a skin disease or disorder. The instructions will generally include information 15 about the use of the compositions for the treatment or prevention of a skin disease or disorder. In other embodiments, the instructions include at least one of the following: description of the compound or combination of compounds; dosage schedule and administration for treatment of a skin condition associated with acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, or any other skin condition characterized by inflammation or a bacterial infection, or 20 symptoms thereof; precautions; warnings; indications; counter-indications; overdosage information; adverse reactions; animal pharmacology; clinical studies; and/or references. The instructions may be printed directly on the container (when present), or as a label applied to the container, or as a separate sheet, pamphlet, card, or folder supplied in or with the container.

The recitation of a listing of chemical groups in any definition of a variable herein includes definitions of that variable as any single group or combination of listed groups. The recitation of an embodiment for a variable or aspect herein includes that embodiment as any single embodiment or in combination with any other embodiments or portions 30 thereof.

The following examples are provided to illustrate the disclosure, not to limit it. Those skilled in the art will understand that the specific constructions provided below may be changed in numerous ways, consistent with the above described disclosure while retaining the critical properties of the compounds or combinations thereof.

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

Laser Hair Removal

The disclosure features compositions and methods that are useful for laser hair removal, particularly in light colored hair. In laser hair removal, a specific wavelength of 5 light and pulse duration is used to obtain optimal effect on a targeted tissue with minimal effect on surrounding tissue. Lasers can cause localized damage to a hair follicle by selectively heating melanin, which is a dark target material, while not heating the rest of the skin. Because the laser targets melanin, light colored hair, gray hair, and fine or thin hair, which has reduced levels of melanin, is not effectively targeted by existing laser hair 10 removal methods. Efforts have been made to deliver various light absorbing materials, such as carbon particles, extracts from squid ink, known commercially as meladine, or dyes into the follicle. These methods have been largely ineffective.

The present disclosure provides microparticles in a suspension form that is topically applied after skin preparation as delineated herein above. In particular, the skin is 15 prepared by epilation of the hair shaft and light absorbing materials are delivered to the hair follicle. Preferably, the formulation is optimized for follicular delivery with mechanical agitation for a certain period of time. After wiping off the formulation from the top of the skin, laser irradiation is performed, preferably with surface cooling. The laser is pulsed, with pulse duration approximately 0.5 ms-400 ms or, alternatively, from 20 0.5 ms-1,000 ms using a wavelength that is absorbed by the particle or the nanoshells.

This method will permanently remove unpigmented or lightly pigmented hair by destroying the stem cells and other apparatus of hair growth which reside in the bulge and the bulb area of the follicle.

The practice of the present disclosure employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology (including recombinant techniques), microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry and immunology, which are well within the purview of the skilled artisan. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature, such 30 as, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, second edition (Sambrook, 1989); Oligonucleotide Synthesis (Gait, 1984); Animal Cell Culture (Freshney, 1987); Methods in Enzymology Handbook of Experimental Immunology (Weir, 1996); Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells (Miller and Calos, 1987); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel, 1987); PCR: The Polymerase Chain

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

Reaction, (Mullis, 1994); Current Protocols in Immunology (Coligan, 1991). These techniques are applicable to the production of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the disclosure, and, as such, may be considered in making and practicing the disclosure.

Particularly useful techniques for particular embodiments will be discussed in the sections that follow.

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the assay, screening, and therapeutic methods of the disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their disclosure.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Topical Delivery of Nanoshells to the Follicular Epithelium for the Treatment of Follicular Diseases

An example of massage as a mechanical means of follicular delivery is described.

Nanoshell suspension tuned to 800-nm was massaged in an epilated pig skin in an in vivo live pig. Laser energy with parallel contact cooling was applied after wiping off the suspension on the top of the skin. A biopsy was taken, and routine histology was performed. A micrograph of the histology is shown at FIG. 1. Thermal damage to the 20 follicular epithelium and part of the sebaceous gland is noted. Such damage is useful for the treatment of follicular diseases, such as acne or for improving the appearance of oily skin of a subject.

One exemplary method for the treatments above includes the step of topically applying a formulation comprising a sub-micron particle comprising a light absorbing 25 materials to a subject's skin. Next, there is a step of facilitating delivery of said materials to a hair follicle, sebaceous gland, sebaceous gland duct, or infundibulum of the skin by mechanical agitation, acoustic vibration, ultrasound, alternating suction and pressure, or microjets. Thereafter, there is the step of exposing said sub-micron particle to energy activation, thereby treating the follicular skin disease.

Example 2

Topical Delivery of Nanoshells to the Follicular Epithelium for Laser Hair Removal

In preparation for laser hair removal, a pig flank was epilated by waxing. Skin was subsequently heated, and a vacuum was applied to empty the follicular contents of the

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 skin. Silica core: gold shell microparticles, of approximate dimensions of 0.150 micrometers diameter coated with PEG were then delivered by massaging. Skin was wiped to remove the material from the top of the skin. This was followed by pulsed laser irradiation at 800 nm. Samples were excised, fixed in formalin, and processed via routine histology (H&E staining). Thermal injury to the follicular structure was noted via histology.

Example 3

Light-Pulse Induced Pressure Pulse Facilitated Delivery

A formulation containing a light-absorbing material is applied on top of skin. This is moved into the infundibulum of the infundibulo-sebaceous unit by methods known in the art, including but not limited to, passive diffusion, heating, mechanical assistance such as pressure pulsing, vibration, acoustic coils, ultrasound, nozzles or a combination of the above. Then, pulses of light are applied with a handpiece with an integrated cooling plate 15 that can be pressed on to the skin. The first pulse(s) of light heat the material, resulting in expansion, with or without steam bubble formation. A pressure pulse is thereby created. Pressure is applied to the skin by the plate during the pressure pulse. Because the pressure cannot escape from the skin, the material flows through low resistance channels within the skin, such as the sebaceous gland duct, to reach the sebaceous gland. This pulse typically 20 has short pulse duration, e.g., 1 ns-1 ms, preferably, 10 ns-100 microseconds, to maximize the magnitude of the pressure pulse, for example, through steam bubble formation. Once the material is within the target sebaceous gland, light is applied with a pulse duration and radiant exposure appropriate to the size of the sebaceous glands being targeted. The light absorbing material is heated, causing thermal damage to the sebaceous gland, thus 25 inactivating it, and causing improvement in acne vulgaris and other follicular diseases and conditions associated with the presence or activity of sebaceous glands.

In a related approach, a train of low-energy laser pulses, 1 microsecond or less in pulse duration, preferably in the acoustic range for pulse repetition rate, is used to activate the particles. This activation violently 'stirs' the particles, some of which will be propelled 30 from the infundibulum into the sebaceous glands.

Example 4

Use of Ultrasound to Deliver Light Absorbing Material to the Follicle and Sebaceous Glands

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

Pig ear skin was kept frozen. Before the experiment, it was thawed. Hair was epilated with waxing and a piece of the pig ear with skin facing up was placed at the bottom of a cup. It was filled with formulation of 150-nm diameter silica-core/gold-shell nanoshells (Sebacia, Inc., Duluth, Ga.) with an optical density of approximately 250. A 5 Sonics, 20 kHz device horn was immersed into the formulation so that the distance between the far surface of the horn at the top of the skin was approximately 5-mm. The horn diameter was 13 mm and the power output was approximately 6 W. Thus, the power density during the on-time was 4.5 W/cm2. The device was turned on with 50% duty cycle, with the on-time and off-time per cycle of 5 s and 5 s, respectively. Four cycles 10 were applied. After wiping the skin to remove excess formulation, the skin was irradiated with laser light at 800-m wavelength with a 9 mm.times.9 mm spot, approximately 50 J/cm2 total radiant exposure, and 30-ms pulse duration.

The skin was observed via a dissecting microscope and photographs were taken (FIG. 2). Cuts perpendicular to the skin surface were made through follicle openings and 15 the cut surface was observed through an optical microscope (FIG. 3). Some samples were placed in 10% buffered formalin solution and observed via routine histology (FIG. 4).

The skin was intact and unperturbed except punctuate dots were noted on the follicle openings (FIG. 2). Upon cutting and observing through a microscope, the presence of dark nanoshells was noted within the follicle infundibulum, as well as in the sebaceous 20 glands (FIG. 3). No nanoshells were seen in the epidermis or the dermis surrounding the follicles. Similarly, histology showed thermal damage to the follicular infundibulum and the sebaceous glands (FIG. 4). There was no or minimal damage to the epidermis and the dermis surrounding the follicles.

In one alternative aspect, in a method employing an ultrasound horn used for 25 immersion ultrasound, the ultrasound horn face peak-to-peak amplitude displacement is in the range of 0.5 to 30 microns.

In still other aspects, there is provided a sub-micron particle size is selected for passage through the hair follicle and into a sebaceous gland of the hair follicle. In one embodiment, the hair follicle is a terminal follicle. In another embodiment, the hair follicle 30 is a vellus follicle. In still another embodiment, the hair follicle is a sebaceous follicle. In still further implementations of the inventive methods described herein, the sub-micron particle size is between about 0.01 microns to about 1.0 microns. In still another exemplary implementation, the sub-micron particle size is between about 0.05 to about 0.25 microns.

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

Example 5

Ultrasound Facilitated Delivery

A transducer from APC International of Mackeyville, Pa. was driven by a sinusoidal wave of 300 Vp-p from a waveform generator and an amplifier with 500 Ohm source impedance. A formulation of 250 OD (F78, Sebacia, Inc.) containing the 150 nm diameter silica core: gold shell was placed topically on epilated pig ear skin. This was followed by wiping of the top surface and laser irradiation with Lumenis Lightsheer at 800 nm. The skin temperature was noted after the ultrasound application and did not exceed 10 41° C.

Significant accumulation of the nanoshells in the follicles was noted (FIG. 5). Vertical cuts were made through follicles and the cut surfaces were observed under a microscope. An exemplary follicle is shown in FIG. 6. A significant accumulation of nanoshells inside and outside the infundibulum is noted.

Histological analysis of a sample is shown in FIG. 7. Localized thermal damage to the follicle including thermal damage to the sebaceous glands is observed (FIG. 7).

Example 6

Human Clinical Efficacy Demonstrated in Back Acne

The efficacy of nanoshell topical delivery followed by laser treatment was evaluated in a clinical study of back acne. Nanoshells were topically applied to the back of each subject and laser treatment was initiated as described herein above. This treatment regimen was administered twice to each subject. Results were evaluated twelve weeks following the second treatment. Efficacy was determined by weighted inflammatory lesion counts. Results are shown in FIG. 8. This study of back acne study indicates that the treatment regimen was clinically effective.

Example 7

Human Clinical Efficacy Demonstrated in Sebaceous Gland Damage

IRB approved human clinical studies have been carried out in seventeen subjects (6 males, 11 females) with acne. The subjects range in age from 18-40 years (mean 24 years) phototype I-IV. Treatment was carried out on a 1 square inch area behind ear (sebaceous follicles). Nanoshells were delivered followed by laser treatment, where the laser was tuned to the nanoshell's absorption peak (40-50 J/cm2, 30-ms, 9.times.9 mm,

2015204559 08 Mar 2019

LightSheer (800 nm)). Therapeutic efficacy was histologically evaluated in 31 biopsies, where 4-7 follicles were present in each biopsy. A 4 mm punch biopsy was taken, serially sectioned, and damage to sebaceous follicle was visualized by H&E staining. Pain, erythema, edema minimal. Localized damage was observed in ~60% of sebaceous 5 follicles. In some specimens, destruction of the entire sebaceous gland was observed. The depth of thermal damage in follicles was on average 0.47 mm (maximum 1.43 mm). No collateral damage to epidermis or dermis was observed. In-vivo histology study damage to infundibulum, bulge and sebaceous glands was observed after treatment.

Example 8

Ultrasound Facilitated Delivery of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA)

In experiments with ultrasound, the follicle provided easier access for delivery of light absorbing materials than the stratum corneum. This may be due to a differential in 15 the transport rates into the stratum corneum and the follicle. This difference can be exploited to facilitate selective delivery of smaller molecules. This approach can be used for either chromophores in a photothermal treatment regimen or for photodynamic therapy with compounds or prodrugs leading to photodynamic effect. For example, convention acne therapies involving ALA-PDT treatment require long incubation times (on the order 20 of 3-4 hours) to deliver sufficient concentration of ALA to the sebaceous glands to achieve the desired clinical efficacy.

This treatment results in significant adverse side effects, including epidermal crusting, pain, and long-lasting redness. This extended incubation period results in the delivery of ALA to non-target areas of the epidermis and the dermis. Ultrasound-assisted 25 delivery can be accomplished without these long incubation periods, while still achieving sufficient concentrations in the target infundibulo-sebaceous unit. Because the long incubation period is eliminated with ultrasound delivery, little ALA is delivered to the non-target epidermis and dermis. After ultrasound delivery, the ALA formulation can be removed from the skin surface. The light irradiation is performed once sufficient time has 30 passed to ensure that concentrations of the photoactive material have reached adequate levels in the target volume. In photothermal treatments, pulsed laser irradiation can be initiated soon after delivery.

In another embodiment, materials (compounds) of interest are attached to microparticles and delivered to the target volume. Light irradiation may be used to

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 disassociate the material, leading to its diffusion and subsequent action. Formation of cavitation bubbles is facilitated by the presence of nanoparticles that seed bubble formation. Also, delivery can be facilitated by the use of volatile components such as ethanol.

Example 9

Formulations

Various nanoshells formulation were tested in an ex vivo skin model. The components tested were designed to enhance delivery into follicles. Formulation constituents were ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycols, surfactants such as polysorbate 80, Phospholipon 90, polyethylene glycol 400, isopropyl adipate. Compatibility of these amongst each other was tested. Three classes were identified: hydrophilic, lipophilic, and liposomal. The absorption coefficient of the formulation is suggested to be in the range of 10 to 1,000 inverse cm. Four example formulations were tested in an in vivo pig skin model; the compositions are as in Table 3 below showing four of the formulations tested in a human back acne study.

TABLE 3

Components	F74	F76	F78	F80
PEGylated nanoshell suspension in water (Optical density -1,100-1,200)	12%	25%	25%	65%
Ethyl Alcohol 190 proof	73%	55%	54%	20%
Propylene Glycol	5%	10%		5%
Polysorbate 80	1%	9%	1%	9%
Benzyl Alcohol	9%	1%		1%
Diisopropyl Adipate			20%
Total	100%	100%	100%	100%

Re-suspension of particles

As described above, there are a wide variety of treatments described that involve the application of a particle containing suspension to the skin surface followed by one or methods of facilitating penetration of the formulation and particles into a desired treatment location for subsequent activation. As described above in the various formulations and

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 compositions, these particles are suspended in a liquid that typically consists of water, ethanol, diisopropyl adipate, and polyethyelene glycol. These are typically low viscosity formulations and as mentioned earlier, the particle delivery is aided by a technique to facilitate penetration to a target site. In one aspect, the bulk flow of the fluid containing 5 the particles from the skin surface through the pores to the target sebaceous follicles is the primary method of transport of the particles. With this method, the fraction of particles delivered into the follicles compared to the total applied to the skin surface is very small. For example, it is estimated that only about 1% of the particles that are applied to the facial skin make it into the follicles. Also, the fluid (vehicle) portion of the suspension 10 evaporates within a short time, for instance, in less than a minute.

In one aspect, after the substantial evaporation, the transport of the particles into the sebaceous follicles is minimal or zero. As a result, there is a layer of particles, black in color that is left on the top of the skin surface. This residue comes from those particles on the surface which have not been pushed into the target site. Previously, this residue is 15 wiped away before laser irradiation.

In one alternative, the residue is instead re-used or re-mobilized by the addition of a suitable vehicle (i.e., a liquid or fluid to free the particles from the dried state on the skin surface). In this way, there is provided a method for the ‘reuse’ of the particles previously applied to one part of the skin surface to another part of the skin surface. Optionally, the 20 re-use may be for the same treatment area. Once the particle delivery fluid or formulation has dried up, part of the skin surface will have a layer of the particles. Thereafter, rather than applying more of the particle formulation, a less expensive liquid vehicle (similar to the previously used formulation but without the expensive microparticles) can be added to this surface. By introducing this vehicle, the user may re-suspend the particles. Then, 25 once the previously applied particles are again mobile in a suspension, a massager or other of the above described delivery techniques can be used to move the particles to another part of the skin surface. For example, the particles may be applied to one part of the face (e.g., left chin). After drying out, the particles are re-suspended and moved to another part of the face (e.g., right chin). Thereafter, facilitated delivery using any of the above 30 described techniques may be continued. Additionally or optionally depending upon the amount of particles that have been re-constituted, an amount of fresh microparticle suspension can be added to this new area. Essentially, the particles left on one part of skin surface are used in another part of the skin surface.

In another alternative, the method of applying a liquid vehicle described herein can

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 be applied to the re-use of particles in the same treatment area. By continuing to reconstitute the particles in the same area an increasing percentage of particle delivery into target sites may be achieved. In one example, the method described herein is used to achieve higher delivery in the follicles in that area. It is to be appreciated that the method 5 of particle re-use is applicable to both insoluble particles as well as soluble materials, e.g., dyes or drugs. In still other aspects, there is provided a method of delivery of materials relying on liquid phase to drive the particles into target pores and follicles where additional areas are treated by applying vehicle to the dry suspension. Still further, the method described above may be adapted to the delivery of materials relying on liquid 10 phase to drive the particles into target pores and follicles where additional delivery can be obtained by treated by applying vehicle to the dry suspension.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. In one aspect, the operation of the delivery device for the delivery of a delivery fluid is the 15 desired therapy. In this case, the operation of the delivery device is a complete treatment operation. In another aspect, the operation of the delivery device for the delivery of a delivery fluid precedes or follows another treatment or another desired therapy. In this case, the operation and use of the delivery device is one part of a multi-part therapy. In one specific example of a multiple part therapy is the use of the delivery system to deliver 20 a fluid, a formulation particles, shells, pharmaceuticals, liposomes, other treatment agents or pharmacologic materials onto, into or within a structure within a treatment or delivery site followed by a further treatment of the delivery or treatment site. In one specific example the further treatment is providing an activating energy to a fluid, a formulation or a pharmacologic material. Exemplary fluids, formulations and treatments are described in 25 U.S. Patent 6,183,773; U.S. Patent 6,530,944; U.S. Published Patent Application US 2013/0315999 and U.S. Published Patent Application US 2012/0059307, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Additionally or optionally, one or more of the delivery device operating parameters, and/or methods of use of the delivery system described herein may be modified based upon one or more characteristics of the delivery fluid, a 30 component of the delivery fluid or a particle within the delivery fluid being used.

Other Embodiments

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that variations and modifications may be made to the disclosure described herein to adopt it to various usages

2015204559 08 Mar 2019 and conditions. Such embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims.

The recitation of a listing of elements in any definition of a variable herein includes definitions of that variable as any single element or combination (or subcombination) of listed elements. The recitation of an embodiment herein includes that 5 embodiment as any single embodiment or in combination with any other embodiments or portions thereof.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is 10 used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. What is claimed is:

   1. A method of treating a skin condition, the method comprising:

   5 a) topically applying a first liquid to a skin of the subject, said first liquid comprising a vehicle and a plurality of light absorbing sub-micron particles, said lightabsorbing sub-micron particles being suspended within said vehicle, wherein a portion of said vehicle evaporates from said skin after said application;

   b) facilitating penetration of at least one of the plurality of light-absorbing sub-

   10 micron particles into a plurality of hair follicles in said skin;

   c) topically applying a second liquid, said second liquid not comprising said submicron particles therein, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of light-absorbing submicron particles that remain on said skin after said facilitating step, are resuspended in a vehicle of said second liquid during application of said second liquid;

   15 d) facilitating penetration of at least a portion of said plurality of light-absorbing sub-micron particles that were resuspended within a vehicle of said second liquid into the plurality of hair follicles in said skin; and

   e) exposing said plurality of light-absorbing sub-micron particles that have penetrated said plurality of hair follicles in said skin to energy activation comprising laser 20 irradiation.
2. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said skin comprises at least one member of the group consisting of a sebaceous gland, a sebaceous gland duct, an infundibulum, an eccrine gland, an eccrine gland duct, an apocrine gland, and an apocrine gland duct.
3. 3. The method of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said skin condition consists of at least one of the group consisting of follicular skin disease; hyperhidrosis; enlarged pore appearance; oily skin; and unwanted hair.

   30
4. 4. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second liquid is substantially the same as the first liquid, however without the sub-micron particles.

   2015204559 08 Mar 2019
5. 5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein delivery of said lightabsorbing sub-micron particles into the skin is facilitated by ultrasound-created microjets within the first liquid.

   5
6. 6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said plurality of hair follicles is one of a terminal follicle, a vellus follicle, or a sebaceous follicle.
7. 7. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the size of each lightabsorbing sub-micron particle is between about 0.01 microns and about 1.0 microns.
8. 8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the size of each light-absorbing sub-micron particle is between about 0.05 and about 0.25 microns.
9. 9. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the facilitating step

   15 further comprises applying ultrasound to said plurality of sub-micron particles on a skin surface, said ultrasound creating microjets.