MULTIPLE IMPACT MICROPROJECTION APPLICATORS AND METHODS OF USE
First Claim
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1. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject, comprising:
- applying to a skin site of a subject, an applicator comprising at least one plunger element, at least one microprojection retained on a distal surface of the plunger, and an actuator;
actuating the actuator to convey an external force to the at least one plunger element such that an energy required for the at least one microprojection to penetrate the skin site is delivered in multiple, discrete quanta and/or impacts.
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Abstract
Applicators for a microprojection array capable of multiple impacts and methods of using the applicators are described.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject, comprising:
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applying to a skin site of a subject, an applicator comprising at least one plunger element, at least one microprojection retained on a distal surface of the plunger, and an actuator; actuating the actuator to convey an external force to the at least one plunger element such that an energy required for the at least one microprojection to penetrate the skin site is delivered in multiple, discrete quanta and/or impacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An applicator, comprising:
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at least a first plunger element comprising a first energy-mass system, the first plunger element having a first restrained position and a second extended position, the first plunger element comprising a distal end on which at least one microprojection can be retained; at least a second energy-mass system; wherein the first and second energy-mass systems each has a different time constant, and each energy-mass system has a first restrained position and a second extended position; an actuating member that can convey an external force to at least the first plunger element to release the first plunger element from the first restrained position; and at least one microstructure attached to a distal surface of the plunger element distal end. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An applicator, comprising:
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a plunger element comprising at least a shaft and a distal end on which at least one microprojection can be retained; at least one projection positioned on a proximal surface of the plunger distal end, the plunger having a first restrained position and a second extended position; an actuating member that can convey an external force to the plunger element to release the plunger element from the first restrained position; a linear energy-storing member positioned between the actuator and the plunger distal end, the linear energy-storing member having a first position and a second position, wherein the linear energy-storing member is effective to move the plunger from its first position to its second position as the linear energy-storing member moves from its first position to its second position; and a torsional energy-mass system at least partially surrounding the plunger shaft and being positioned between the linear energy-storing member and the plunger distal end, wherein the torsional energy-mass system contacts the at least one projection as the torsional energy-mass system rotates about the plunger shaft. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification