Devices and methods for enhanced microneedle penetration of biological barriers
First Claim
1. A device for transport of material or energy across or into an elastic biological barrier comprisinga microneedle having a tip end and a base end, a substrate connected to the base end of the microneedle, and a means for securing the biological barrier in place for insertion of the microneedle, wherein the means reduces the elasticity of the biological barrier, thereby improving penetration of the biological barrier by the microneedle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Microneedle devices and methods of use thereof are provided for the enhanced transport of molecules, including drugs and biological molecules, across tissue by improving the interaction of microneedles and a deformable, elastic biological barrier, such as human skin. The devices and methods act to (1) limit the elasticity, (2) adapt to the elasticity, (3) utilize alternate ways of creating the holes for the microneedles to penetrate the biological barrier, other than the simply direct pressure of the microneedle substrate to the barrier surface, or (4) any combination of these methods. In preferred embodiments for limiting the elasticity of skin, the microneedle device includes features suitable for stretching, pulling, or pinching the skin to present a more rigid, less deformable, surface in the area to which the microneedles are applied (i.e. penetrate). In a preferred embodiments for adapting the device to the elasticity of skin, the device comprising one or more extensions interposed between the substrate and the base end of at least a portion of the microneedles.
1192 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for transport of material or energy across or into an elastic biological barrier comprising
a microneedle having a tip end and a base end, a substrate connected to the base end of the microneedle, and a means for securing the biological barrier in place for insertion of the microneedle, wherein the means reduces the elasticity of the biological barrier, thereby improving penetration of the biological barrier by the microneedle.
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14. A device for transport of material or energy across or into an elastic biological barrier comprising
a microneedle having a tip end and a base end, a substrate connected to the base end of the microneedle, a means for securing the biological barrier in place for insertion of the microneedle, and a plurality of hollow microneedles in a linear array, wherein the substrate is mounted on a holder having one or more apertures through the holder in communication with the microneedles, thereby improving penetration of the biological barrier by the microneedle.
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15. A device for transport of material or energy across or into an elastic biological barrier comprising
a microneedle having a tip end and a base end, a substrate connected to the base end of the microneedle, and a means for securing the biological barrier in place for insertion of the microneedle, wherein the means for securing the biological barrier in place accelerates the tip of the microneedle into the biological barrier, accelerates the biological barrier into contact with the tip of the microneedle, or a combination thereof, thereby improving penetration of the biological barrier by the microneedle.
Specification