DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE INCLUDING TISSUE SUPPORT STRUCTURE
First Claim
1. A drug delivery device for delivering a drug to a subject, the device comprising:
- a microneedle configured to facilitate delivery of the drug to the subject, the microneedle including a tip portion, the microneedle moveable from an inactive position to an activated position, wherein when the microneedle is moved to the activated position, the tip portion of the microneedle is configured to penetrate the skin of the subject; and
a tissue support structure comprising;
a channel having a first end and a second end, the channel in axial alignment with the microneedle, wherein at least the tip portion of the microneedle extends past the second end of the channel in the activated position; and
an engagement element positioned adjacent to the channel, the engagement element configured to engage with the skin of the subject such that the engagement element resists deformation of the skin caused by the microneedle as the microneedle moves from the inactive position to the activated position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drug delivery device for delivering a drug to a subject includes a microneedle configured to facilitate delivery of the drug to the subject. The microneedle includes a tip portion and is moveable from an inactive position to an activated position. When the microneedle is moved to the activated position, the tip portion of the microneedle is configured to penetrate the skin of the subject. The drug delivery device includes a tissue support structure that includes a channel and an engagement element. The channel has a first end and a second end and is in axial alignment with the microneedle. At least the tip portion of the microneedle extends past the second end of the channel in the activated position. The engagement element is positioned adjacent to the channel, and the engagement element is configured to engage with the skin of the subject such that the engagement element resists downward deformation of the skin caused by the microneedle as the microneedle moves from the inactive position to the activated position.
118 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A drug delivery device for delivering a drug to a subject, the device comprising:
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a microneedle configured to facilitate delivery of the drug to the subject, the microneedle including a tip portion, the microneedle moveable from an inactive position to an activated position, wherein when the microneedle is moved to the activated position, the tip portion of the microneedle is configured to penetrate the skin of the subject; and a tissue support structure comprising; a channel having a first end and a second end, the channel in axial alignment with the microneedle, wherein at least the tip portion of the microneedle extends past the second end of the channel in the activated position; and an engagement element positioned adjacent to the channel, the engagement element configured to engage with the skin of the subject such that the engagement element resists deformation of the skin caused by the microneedle as the microneedle moves from the inactive position to the activated position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A drug delivery device for delivering a liquid drug into the skin of a subject, the device comprising:
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a drug reservoir for storing a dose of the liquid drug; a microneedle component including a hollow microneedle, the hollow microneedle including a tip portion and a central channel extending through the tip portion of the hollow microneedle, the microneedle component moveable from an inactive position to an activated position, wherein when the microneedle component is moved to the activated position, the tip portion of the hollow microneedle is configured to penetrate the skin of the subject; a drug channel extending from the drug reservoir and coupled to the microneedle component such that the drug reservoir is in fluid communication with the tip portion of the hollow microneedle; an engagement element positioned adjacent to the hollow microneedle in the activated position, the engagement element configured to adhere to the skin of the subject such that the engagement element exerts reaction forces on the skin in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the microneedle component from the inactive position to the activated position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of delivering a drug to the skin of a subject, the method comprising:
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providing a drug delivery device, the drug delivery device comprising; a dose of the drug to be delivered; a microneedle; an attachment element; and a tissue support structure including a skin engagement element; attaching the drug delivery device to the skin of the subject via the attachment element; attaching the skin engagement element to the skin of the subject; moving the microneedle from an inactive position to an activated position in which a tip portion of the microneedle pierces the skin of the subject; increasing membrane stiffness in a portion of the skin located beneath the microneedle, the increased membrane stiffness resulting in a decrease in compliance of the portion of the skin facilitating piercing of the skin by the microneedle; and delivering the dose of the drug to the subject via the microneedle. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A drug delivery device for delivering a drug to a subject, the device comprising:
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a microneedle component having a body and a microneedle, the microneedle configured to facilitate delivery of the drug to the subject, the microneedle including a tip portion, the microneedle moveable from an inactive position to an activated position, wherein when the microneedle is moved to the activated position, the tip portion of the microneedle is configured to penetrate the skin of the subject; a housing having a bottom wall; and a channel defined in the bottom wall, the channel having a first end and a second end, the channel aligned with the microneedle; wherein at least the tip portion of the microneedle extends past the second end of the channel in the activated position; wherein at least a portion of the body of the microneedle component bears against a surface of the bottom wall in the activated position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification