Device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions
First Claim
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1. A method for delivering an agent through a body surface, comprising:
- providing expandable device having a body surface engaging first portion and a body surface engaging second portion;
contacting the body surface with said expandable device;
expanding said device to stretch the body surface whereby a tension in the range of about 0.01 to about 10 M Pa is applied to the body surface;
penetrating said tensioned body surface with a plurality of microprotrusions; and
delivering an agent through said penetrated body surface.
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Abstract
A device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions involves pre-stretching the skin to enhance pathway formation when the microprotrusions are pressed into the skin. An expandable device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface so that when the device is expanded the skin is stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to 2 megapascals. The device has a plurality of microprotrusions which penetrate the skin while the skin is being stretched by the expanded device. Another stretching device employs suction for skin stretching.
62 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for delivering an agent through a body surface, comprising:
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providing expandable device having a body surface engaging first portion and a body surface engaging second portion;
contacting the body surface with said expandable device;
expanding said device to stretch the body surface whereby a tension in the range of about 0.01 to about 10 M Pa is applied to the body surface;
penetrating said tensioned body surface with a plurality of microprotrusions; and
delivering an agent through said penetrated body surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for transdermal agent delivery, comprising:
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providing an expandable device;
contacting the body surface with said expandable device;
stretching the surface of a patient'"'"'s skin by expanding said expandable device, said expandable device applying a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 M Pa to the skin;
holding the skin in said stretched condition;
penetrating said stretched skin with a microprotrusion array to form pathways; and
delivering an agent transdermally through the skin via said pathways. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification