RAPID DELIVERY AND/OR RECEIVING OF FLUIDS
First Claim
1. A microneedle structure comprising:
- a first plurality of microneedles that each include a base portion and a penetrating portion, the base portions of the first plurality of microneedles being arranged at the periphery of a first closed loop lying in a plane, the penetrating portions of the first plurality of microneedles each extending at a respective angle away from the plane of the first closed loop; and
a second plurality of microneedles that each include a base portion and a penetrating portion, the base portions of the second plurality of microneedles being arranged at a periphery of a second closed loop lying in the plane, the second closed loop being larger than, and surrounding, the first closed loop, the penetrating portions of the second plurality of microneedles each extending at a respective angle away from the plane of the second closed loop.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or receiving a substance or substances such as blood, from subjects, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for receiving or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a fluid transporter (for example, one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some cases, the device may be self-contained, and in certain instances, the device can be applied to the skin, and activated to receive blood from the subject. The device, or a portion thereof, may then be processed to determine the blood and/or an analyte within the blood, alone or with an external apparatus. For example, blood may be received from the device, and/or the device may contain sensors or agents able to determine the blood and/or an analyte suspected of being contained in the blood. In another aspect, the present invention is generally directed to arrangements of skin insertion objects such as microneedles and methods of forming and arranging skin insertion objects. Other aspects of the present invention are directed at other devices for receiving blood (or other bodily fluids, e.g., interstitial fluid), kits involving such devices, methods of making such devices, methods of using such devices, and the like.
56 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A microneedle structure comprising:
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a first plurality of microneedles that each include a base portion and a penetrating portion, the base portions of the first plurality of microneedles being arranged at the periphery of a first closed loop lying in a plane, the penetrating portions of the first plurality of microneedles each extending at a respective angle away from the plane of the first closed loop; and a second plurality of microneedles that each include a base portion and a penetrating portion, the base portions of the second plurality of microneedles being arranged at a periphery of a second closed loop lying in the plane, the second closed loop being larger than, and surrounding, the first closed loop, the penetrating portions of the second plurality of microneedles each extending at a respective angle away from the plane of the second closed loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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6. (canceled)
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8-10. -10. (canceled)
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12-14. -14. (canceled)
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22. (canceled)
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23. A method for forming a microneedle structure, comprising:
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providing a layer of material having opposed substantially planar sides; etching the layer of material to define a plurality of microneedles such that bases of the microneedles are arranged at a periphery of a first closed loop and each of the microneedles extends toward a center of the first closed loop; and etching the layer of material to define a second plurality of microneedles with bases arranged at a periphery of a second closed loop that is arranged around the first closed loop. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37)
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33-34. -34. (canceled)
Specification