Skin-piercing microprojections having piercing depth control
First Claim
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1. A device for forming a plurality of microcuts in animal skin, the microcuts having a predetermined depth of penetration, said device comprising:
- a) a first member having a plurality of skin piercing microprojections extending therefrom, the microprojections being adapted to pierce the skin to a predetermined depth of penetration of less than about 500 microns;
b) each of the microprojections comprising a base, a penetrating portion having a length L2, a tip, an edge, a face and a length, L1, that is a distance from the base to the tip of the microprojection, said length being substantially longer than said predetermined depth; and
c) a piercing depth limiter associated with one or more of the microprojections and positioned at a predetermined location between the tip and the base, wherein the limiter restricts the piercing of the microprojections to about the predetermined depth.
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Abstract
A device comprising of a plurality of microprojections for piercing the outermost layer of skin is provided for increasing transdermal agent flux. The device includes penetration depth limiters for ensuring uniform depth of piercing by the microprojections, thereby preventing over penetration and undesirable bleeding and pain. The microprojections have a length (L1) which is substantially greater than the intended penetration depth (L2). The microprojection penetration depth limiters allow for more uniform penetration for optimum agent delivery or fluid sampling.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A device for forming a plurality of microcuts in animal skin, the microcuts having a predetermined depth of penetration, said device comprising:
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a) a first member having a plurality of skin piercing microprojections extending therefrom, the microprojections being adapted to pierce the skin to a predetermined depth of penetration of less than about 500 microns;
b) each of the microprojections comprising a base, a penetrating portion having a length L2, a tip, an edge, a face and a length, L1, that is a distance from the base to the tip of the microprojection, said length being substantially longer than said predetermined depth; and
c) a piercing depth limiter associated with one or more of the microprojections and positioned at a predetermined location between the tip and the base, wherein the limiter restricts the piercing of the microprojections to about the predetermined depth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 10, 12)
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5. A device for forming a plurality of microcuts in animal skin, the microcuts having a predetermined depth of penetration, said device comprising:
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a) a first member having a plurality of skin piercing microprojections extending therefrom, the microprojections being adapted to pierce the skin to a predetermined depth of penetration of less than about 500 microns;
b) each of the microprojections comprising a base, a penetrating portion having a length L2, a tip, an edge, a face and a length, L1, that is a distance from the base to the tip of the microprojection, said length being substantially longer than said predetermined depth; and
c) a piercing depth limiter which is an integral feature of one or more of the microprojections and positioned at a predetermined location between the tip and the base, wherein the limiter restricts the piercing of the microprojections to about the predetermined depth. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 11)
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13. A device for forming a plurality of microcuts in animal skin, the microcuts having a predetermined depth of penetration, said device comprising:
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a) a first member having a plurality of skin piercing microprojections extending therefrom, the microprojections being adapted to pierce the skin to a predetermined depth of penetration of less than about 500 microns;
b) each of the microprojections comprising a base, a penetrating portion having a length L2, a tip, an edge, a face and a length, L1, that is a distance from the base to the tip of the microprojection, said length being substantially longer than said predetermined depth;
c) a piercing depth limiter associated with one or more of the microprojections and positioned at a predetermined location between the tip and the base, wherein the limiter restricts the piercing of the microprojections to about the predetermined depth; and
d) an agent-containing or agent-receiving reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A device for forming a plurality of microcuts in animal skin, the microcuts having a predetermined depth of penetration, said device comprising:
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a) a first member having a plurality of skin piercing microprojections extending therefrom, the microprojections being adapted to pierce the skin to a predetermined depth of penetration of less than about 500 microns;
b) each of the microprojections comprising a base, a penetrating portion having a length L2, a tip, an edge, a face and a length, L1, that is a distance from the base to the tip of the microprojection, said length being substantially longer than said predetermined depth;
c) a piercing depth limiter associated with one or more of the microprojections and positioned at a predetermined location between the tip and the base, wherein the limiter restricts the piercing of the microprojections to about the predetermined depth; and
d) said first member further comprising a sheet having a multiplicity of openings therein and the microprojections extend from a body proximal surface of the sheet. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22)
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20. A device for forming a plurality of microcuts in animal skin, the microcuts having a predetermined depth of penetration, said device comprising:
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a) a first member having a plurality of skin piercing microprojections extending therefrom, the microprojections being adapted to pierce the skin to a predetermined depth of penetration of less than about 500 microns;
b) each of the microprojections comprising a base, a penetrating portion having a length L2, a tip, an edge, a face and a length, L1, that is a distance from the base to the tip of the microprojection, said length being substantially longer than said predetermined depth;
c) a piercing depth limiter associated with one or more of the microprojections and positioned at a predetermined location between the tip and the base, wherein the limiter restricts the piercing of the microprojections to about the predetermined depth; and
d) wherein the ratio of L2 to L1 is less than about 0.5.
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Specification