A method of enhancing the permeability of a biological membrane, including
the skin or mucosa of an animal or the outer layer of a plant to a
permeant is described utilizing microporation of selected depth and
optionally one or more of sonic, electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal
energy and a chemical enhancer. Microporation is accomplished to form a
micropore of selected depth in the biological membrane and the porated
site is contacted with the permeant. Additional permeation enhancement
measures may be applied to the site to enhance both the flux rate of the
permeant into the organism through the micropores as well as into
targeted tissues within the organism.
