Method of fabricating epidermal abrasion device

• US 6,610,235 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2000
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Lebouitz, Kyle S., Pisano, Albert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuhns, Allan R.
• Application Number:
  US09/715,349
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 164/6, 264/219, 264/317, 264/220, 264/221, 264/328.1
• US Class Current: 264/221
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00747 Dermatology
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150282 for piercing elements, e.g. blade, lancet, canula, needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150419 comprising means for capillary action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150427 Specific tip design, e.g. for improved penetration characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150435 Specific design of proximal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150503 Single-ended needles hollow piercing element tip design A61B5/150396, needle sets for catheters A61M25/06, needles for bringing media into the body A61M5/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150984 Microneedles or microblades
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/685 Microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0038 having a channel at the side surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0053 Methods for producing microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/3857 by making impressions of one or more parts of models, e.g. shaped articles and including possible subsequent assembly of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/753 Medical equipment; Accessories therefor bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7544 Injection needles, syringes

Abstract

A method of forming an injection molded epidermal abrasion device includes depositing mold material on an epidermal abrasion device. The epidermal abrasion device is separated from the mold material to yield a mold. An epidermal abrasion device is then formed within the mold. The epidermal abrasion device may include a matrix of isotropically etched structures having isotropically etched sidewalls positioned between wide bases and narrow tips, each isotropically etched structure having a vertical height of at least 20 μm. The matrix of isotropically etched structures may define a matrix of pyramids.

Claims

1. A method of forming an epidermal abrasion device mold, comprising:

depositing in succession a first metal and a second metal on an epidermal abrasion device; and

separating said epidermal abrasion device from said mold material to yield a mold.

2. A method of forming an epidermal abrasion device mold, comprising:

depositing a first metal in the form of tungsten on an epidermal abrasion device and a second metal in the form of nickel on said tungsten; and

separating said epidermal abrasion device from said mold material to yield a mold.

3. A method of forming an epidermal abrasion device mold, comprising:

depositing mold material on an epidermal abrasion device; and

separating said epidermal abrasion device from said mold material to yield a mold, wherein said separating includes dissolving said epidermal abrasion device.

4. A method of forming an injection molded epidermal abrasion device, comprising:

depositing mold material on an epidermal abrasion device;

separating said epidermal abrasion device from said mold material to yield a mold; and

forming an epidermal abrasion device within said mold, wherein the epidermal abrasion device formed within said mold is suitable for abrading a person'"'"'s epidermis to facilitate transdermal drug delivery.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said depositing includes depositing a metal on said epidermal abrasion device.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said forming includes injecting a molding material into said mold.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said forming includes injecting plastic into said mold.

8. A method of forming an injection molded epidermal abrasion device, comprising:

depositing in succession a first metal and a second metal on said epidermal abrasion device;

separating said epidermal abrasion device from said mold material to yield a mold; and

forming an epidermal abrasion device within said mold.

9. A method of forming an injection molded epidermal abrasion device, comprising:

depositing a first metal in the form of tungsten on said epidermal abrasion device and a second metal in the form of nickel on said tungsten;

separating said epidermal abrasion device from said mold material to yield a mold; and

forming an epidermal abrasion device within said mold.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said forming includes injecting a molding material into said mold.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said forming includes injecting plastic into said mold.

12. A method of forming an injection molded epidermal abrasion device, comprising:

depositing mold material on an epidermal abrasion device;

separating said epidermal abrasion device from said mold material to yield a mold, wherein said separating includes dissolving said epidermal abrasion device; and

forming an epidermal abrasion device within said mold.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said forming includes injecting a molding material into said mold.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said forming includes injecting plastic into said mold.