Multiple impact microprojection applicators and methods of use
First Claim
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1. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject, comprising:
- applying to a skin site of a subject, an applicator comprising at least one plunger element, at least one microprojection retained on a distal surface of the plunger, and an actuator;
actuating the actuator to convey an external force to the at least one plunger element such that an energy required for the at least one microprojection to penetrate the skin site is delivered in multiple, discrete quanta and/or impacts at the skin site;
wherein, the multiple, discrete quanta and/or impacts are created by at leastthe plunger comprising multiple energy-mass systems, each system having a different time constant, wherein each of the energy-mass systems has a progressively higher time constant such that the plunger elements impact the skin site in a defined sequence.
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Abstract
Applicators for a microprojection array capable of multiple impacts and methods of using the applicators are described.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject, comprising:
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applying to a skin site of a subject, an applicator comprising at least one plunger element, at least one microprojection retained on a distal surface of the plunger, and an actuator; actuating the actuator to convey an external force to the at least one plunger element such that an energy required for the at least one microprojection to penetrate the skin site is delivered in multiple, discrete quanta and/or impacts at the skin site; wherein, the multiple, discrete quanta and/or impacts are created by at least the plunger comprising multiple energy-mass systems, each system having a different time constant, wherein each of the energy-mass systems has a progressively higher time constant such that the plunger elements impact the skin site in a defined sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 24)
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13. An applicator, comprising:
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at least a first plunger element comprising a first energy-mass system, the first plunger element having a first restrained position and a second extended position, the first plunger element comprising a distal end on which at least one microprojection can be retained; at least a second energy-mass system; wherein the first and second energy-mass systems each has a different time constant, and each energy-mass system has a first restrained position and a second extended position; an actuating member that can convey an external force to at least the first plunger element to release the first plunger element from the first restrained position; and at least one microprojection attached to a distal surface of the plunger element distal end; wherein the first energy-mass system has a faster time constant than the second energy-mass system such that the energy required for the at least one microprojection to penetrate a subject'"'"'s skin at an application site is delivered by multiple, discrete impacts at the skin by the first and second energy-mass systems. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification