Device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for applying to a body surface, comprising:
- an expandable member having a body surface engaging first portion and a body surface engaging second portion, said body surface engaging first and second portions being adapted to apply a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 M Pa to the body surface when the member is expanded; and
a microprojection member having a plurality of microprotrusions for penetrating the body surface, said plurality of microprotrusions being disposed between said first portion and said second portion of said expandable member.
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Abstract
A device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions involves pre-stretching the skin to enhance pathway formation when the microprotrusions are pressed into the skin. An expandable device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface so that when the device is expanded the skin is stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to 2 megapascals. The device has a plurality of microprotrusions which penetrate the skin while the skin is being stretched by the expanded device. Another stretching device employs suction for skin stretching.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying to a body surface, comprising:
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an expandable member having a body surface engaging first portion and a body surface engaging second portion, said body surface engaging first and second portions being adapted to apply a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 M Pa to the body surface when the member is expanded; and
a microprojection member having a plurality of microprotrusions for penetrating the body surface, said plurality of microprotrusions being disposed between said first portion and said second portion of said expandable member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A transdermal agent delivery devices comprising:
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a skin stretching device for stretching skin by applying a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 M Pa to the skin; and
an agent containing member having an array of microprotrusions, wherein said skin stretching device is configured to stretch the skin of a subject and maintain said skin in a stretched state during penetration of said skin by said microprotrusions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20-33. -33. (canceled)
Specification