Device for enhancing transdermal agent flux

• US 6,953,589 B1
• Filed: 10/04/2000
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Trautman, Joseph Creagan, Kim, Hyunok Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): Dodson, Shelley A.
• Application Number:
  US09/684,163
• Time in Patent Office: 1,833 Days
• Field of Search: 424/449
• US Class Current: 424/449
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/008 Interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14514 using means for aiding extraction of interstitial fluid, e.g. microneedles or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0021 Intradermal administration, e.g. through microneedle arrays, needleless injectors mechanical aspects A61M
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0023 Drug applicators using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/003 having a lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0038 having a channel at the side surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0046 Solid microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0053 Methods for producing microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body

Abstract

A device (3) comprising a sheet member (6) having a plurality of microprotrusions (4) for penetrating the skin and a rigid support (15) contacting and extending across the sheet member (6) for transmitting an applied force evenly across the length and width of the sheet member (6) to reproducibly and reliably penetrate the skin with the microprotrusions (4).

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a member having a plurality of skin piercing microprotrusions to skin, the applicator comprising a head for applying a skin piercing force to the member, the head having a surface adapted to engage the member, the surface having a shape selected from the group consisting of convex, curved and cylindrical.

2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the surface has a convex shape.

3. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the surface has a radius of curvature of greater than about 5 cm.

4. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the surface has a radius of curvature of greater than about 10 cm.

5. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the head is adapted to impact the member against the skin.

6. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the head is spring-loaded.

7. The applicator of claim 1, including a manually activated mechanism for impacting the member against the skin.

8. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator includes a handle operatively connected to the head.

9. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the member comprises a sheet having a plurality of microprotrusions extending from a skin proximal surface or edge thereof.

10. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the microprotrusions are adapted to pierce the skin to a depth of up to about 500 μ

m.

11. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the surface has a shape which approximates a curved or convex shape.

12. The applicator of claim 11, wherein the surface has a frustum shape.

13. A method of piercing skin with a plurality of microprotrusions, comprising providing a member having a plurality of skin piercing microprotrusions extending from a body proximal surface or edge thereof, applying a skin-piercing force to a skin distal side or edge of the member with a head, the head having a surface adapted to engage the member, the surface having a shape selected from the group consisting of convex, curved and cylindrical.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the surface has a convex shape.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the surface has a radius of curvature of greater than about 5 cm.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the surface has a radius of curvature of greater than about 10 cm.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the head impacts the member against the skin.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein a spring causes the head to impact the member against the skin.

19. The method of claim 13, including manually activating the head to impact the member against the skin.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the member comprises a sheet having a plurality of microprotrusions extending from a skin proximal surface or edge thereof.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the microprotrusions are adapted to pierce the skin to a depth of up to about 500 μ

m.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the surface has a shape which approximates a curved or convex shape.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the surface has a frustum shape.