Micropore forming system, micropore forming device, chip container, and chip container kit

• US 20070233011A1
• Filed: 03/13/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
• Inventors: Maekawa, Yasunori, Hagino, Kei, Mishima, Katsutoshi, Sawa, Kenichi, Tatsuzumi, Mitsuhiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,806,266 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/187
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/008 Interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14514 using means for aiding extraction of interstitial fluid, e.g. microneedles or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150595 by snap-lock (i.e. based on axial displacement)
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150725 removal procedure linked to further actions, e.g. cocking of the piercing device, which indicate that the piercing device is used or tempered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150748 Having means for aiding positioning of the piercing device at a location where the body is to be pierced means for aiding positioning of devices for bringing media into the body A61M5/427, locating blood vessels A61B5/489
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150984 Microneedles or microblades
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15113 Manually triggered, i.e. the triggering requires a deliberate action by the user such as pressing a drive button
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15117 comprising biased elements, resilient elements or a spring, e.g. a helical spring, leaf spring, or elastic strap
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1513 comprising linear sliding guides comprising tooth-shaped elements A61B5/15132
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood

Abstract

A micropore forming system comprising: a microneedle chip having microneedles for forming micropores in a skin of a living body; a chip container for detachably housing the microneedle chip; and a micropore forming device for detachably holding the microneedle chip and for contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip to the skin.

Claims

1. A micropore forming system comprising:

a microneedle chip having microneedles for forming micropores in a skin of a living body;

a chip container for detachably housing the microneedle chip; and

a micropore forming device for detachably holding the microneedle chip and for contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip to the skin.

2. The micropore forming system according to claim 1, wherein the micropore forming device comprises a holder for detachably holding the microneedle chip, and the holder holds the microneedle chip by contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip housed in the chip container.

3. A method for forming micropores in a skin of a living body comprising:

providing a micropore forming device and a chip container housing a microneedle chip;

installing the microneedle chip in the micropore forming device from the chip container; and

forming micropores in the skin by contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip to the skin using the micropore forming device.

4. A micropore forming device comprising:

a holder for detachably holding a microneedle chip having microneedles for forming micropores in a skin of a living body by contacting the skin;

wherein the holder holds the microneedle chip by contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip housed in the chip container.

5. The micropore forming device according to claim 4, further comprising a guide part for guiding the chip container, wherein the guiding part guides the chip container housing the microneedle chip such that the microneedle chip is positioned relative to the holder.

6. The micropore forming device according to claim 5, wherein the guide part has an opening for inserting the chip container, a pathway communicating with the opening and guiding the chip container to the holder.

7. The micropore forming device according to claim 4, wherein the holder is capable of moving between a first position and a second position in the micropore forming device, contacts the microneedle chip housed in the chip container at the first position, moves from the first position to the second position, and holds the microneedle chip housed in the chip container at the second position.

8. The micropore forming device according to claim 7, further comprising a second holder for holding the holder at the second position when the holder holds the microneedle chip housed in the chip container at the second position.

9. The micropore forming device according to claim 4, wherein

the holder is movable in a first direction to the skin and a second direction to be opposite the first direction;

further comprising a first force exerting part exerts a force on the holder in a first direction;

an anchor part that engages and anchors the holder when the holder is moved in the second direction against the force exerted by the first force exerting part; and

a release part for releasing the engagement of the holder and the anchor part;

wherein the holder is moved in the first direction when the release part releases the engagement of the holder and the anchor part.

10. The micropore forming device according to claim 9, wherein the holder holds the microneedle chip and moves in the second direction until engaging the anchor part by contacting the microneedle chip housed in the chip container.

11. A chip container comprising:

a first holder for detachably holding a microneedle chip which is installed in a micropore forming device for forming micropores in a skin of a living body; and

a second holder for holding a microneedle chip that has been removed from the micropore forming device.

12. The chip container according to claim 11 further comprising an opening part, wherein the first holder is provided within the opening part.

13. The chip container according to claim 12, wherein the second holder is provided within the opening part.

14. The chip container according to claim 11 further comprising a first opening part and a second opening part, wherein the first holder is provided within the first opening part and the second holder is provided within the second opening part.

15. The chip container according to claim 14, wherein the second opening part comprises a detachment preventer to prevent the detachment of a held microneedle chip.

16. The chip container according to claim 13, wherein the first opening part and the second opening part are provided with mutually opposite sides.

17. The chip container according to claim 14, wherein a removing part is provided within the second opening to remove a microneedle chip installed in the micropore forming device.

18. The chip container according to claim 17, wherein the microneedle chip comprises a flange for engaging the elastically deformable handle of the micropore forming device, and the removing part has a tapered part that contacts the handle that engages the microneedle chip.

19. A chip container comprising:

a chip holder for detachably holding a microneedle chip which is installed in a micropore forming device for forming micropores in a skin of a living body;

wherein the chip holder is capable of holding a microneedle chip that has been removed from the micropore forming device.

20. A chip container kit comprising:

a microneedle chip which has microneedles and is installed in a micropore forming device for forming micropores in a skin of a living body;

a chip container comprising a first holder which detachably holds a microneedle chip, and a second holder for holding a microneedle chip that has been removed from the micropore forming device; and

a seal member for covering an opening of the first holder and for maintaining the microneedle chip held by the first holder under a sterilized condition.