Low-Profile Microneedle Array Applicator

• US 20080114298A1
• Filed: 11/18/2005
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P.
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Cantor, Adam S., Ringsred, Ted K., Frederickson, Franklyn L., Johnson, Peter R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,267,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0023 Drug applicators using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles

Abstract

An applicator (100) used to apply microneedle arrays (10) to a mammal. In particular, an application device for applying a microneedle device (120) to a skin surface comprising a flexible sheet (110) having a raised central area (115) attached to the microneedle device and a supporting member at or near the periphery of the flexible sheet, wherein the flexible sheet is configured such that it will undergo a stepwise motion in the direction orthogonal to the major plane of the sheet.

Claims

1. An application device for applying a microneedle device to a skin surface comprising:

a flexible sheet having a raised central area attached to the microneedle device and a supporting member at or near the periphery of the flexible sheet, wherein the flexible sheet is configured such that it will undergo a stepwise motion in the direction orthogonal to the major plane of the sheet.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the stepwise motion moves the central area closer to the skin surface.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the supporting member comprises a spacer attached to the periphery of the flexible sheet.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein a predetermined minimum amount of force is necessary to cause the stepwise motion.

6. A device according to claim 1 further comprising an adhesive for affixing the supporting member to the skin surface.

7. A device according to claim 4 further comprising a protective face attached to the spacer.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the protective face is slidably attached to the spacer.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein the stepwise motion in the direction orthogonal to the major plane of the sheet force is triggered by application of force in a direction orthogonal to the major plane of the sheet.

11. A device according to claim 1 wherein the stepwise motion in the direction orthogonal to the major plane of the sheet force is triggered by application of force in a direction parallel to the major plane of the sheet.

12. A device according to claim 1 wherein the microneedle device is releasably attached to the flexible sheet.

13. A device according to claim 1 wherein the microneedle device comprises a microneedle array.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein the microneedle device comprises a, skin-contacting adhesive surrounding the microneedle array.

15. A device according to claim 1 wherein the microneedle device exceeds a velocity of 4 nm/s during at least a portion of the stepwise motion.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein the microneedle device exceeds a velocity of 6 m/s during at least a portion of the stepwise motion.

17. A method of using an application device according to claim 1 for applying a microneedle array to a skin surface wherein the application device is placed against a skin surface and a force is applied to the device sufficient to cause the flexible sheet of the device to change from a convex to a concave orientation with respect to the skin surface, thereby driving the microneedle array against the skin.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the force is applied in a direction orthogonal to the skin surface.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the force is applied in a direction parallel to the skin surface.

2. An application device for applying a microneedle device to a skin surface comprising:

a flexible sheet having a raised central area configured so as to be releasably attached to a microneedle device and a supporting member at or near the periphery of the flexible sheet, wherein the flexible sheet is configured such that it will undergo a stepwise motion in the direction orthogonal to the major plane of the sheet.

9. An application device for applying a microneedle device to a skin surface comprising a flexible sheet having a raised central area wherein motion of the raised central area in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flexible sheet drives the microneedle device against the skin.