Gas pressure actuated microneedle arrays, and systems and methods relating to same

• US 20030135158A1
• Filed: 09/23/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeritas, Inc. (Zealand Pharma A/S)
• Original Assignee: Valeritas, Inc. (Zealand Pharma A/S)
• Inventors: Gonnelli, Robert R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,920,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/140
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/00 Biologically active materials used in bandages, wound dressings, absorbent pads or medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/003 having a lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles

Abstract

The microneedle devices disclosed herein in some embodiments include a substrate; one or more microneedles; a reservoir for delivery of drugs; a gas source, and, optionally, pump(s), sensor(s), and/or microprocessor(s) to control the interaction of the foregoing.

Claims

1. A microneedle device, comprising

a microneedle array,

and a gas source.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid reservoir.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the fluid reservoir contains a fluid.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the fluid includes a therapeutic agent.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from vaccines, chemotherapy agents, pain relief agents, dialysis-related agents, blood thinning agents, and compounds (e.g., monoclonal compounds) that can be targeted to carry compounds that can kill cancer cells.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from proteins, enzymes, polysaccharides, polynucleotide molecules, and synthetic organic and inorganic compounds.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from anti-infectives, hormones, growth regulators, drugs regulating cardiac action or blood flow, and drugs for pain control.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from insulin, heparin, morphine, interferon, EPO, vaccines towards tumors, and vaccines towards infectious diseases.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the therapeutic agent is insulin.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the fluid reservoir is disposed between the gas source and the microneedle array.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible layer.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexible layer is resilient or elastic.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexible layer has slits.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexible layer has one-way valves.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexible layer is disposed between the gas source and the microneedle array.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the fluid reservoir is disposed between the flexible layer and the gas source.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexible layer is semi-permeable.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexible layer allows one or more substances to pass therethrough.

19. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexible layer substantially prevents one or more substances from passing therethrough.

20. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexible layer selected from a material from the group consisting of a rubber, a polymer, a plastic, a metal, or a composite.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is skin patch.

22. A method for delivering a drug through a microneedle device, comprising

providing a microneedle array,

providing a gas source, and

providing a reservoir of drug to be delivered to a patient, whereby activation of the gas source forces the drug through the microneedle array.