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Devices and methods for transporting fluid across a biological barrier

  • US 7,588,552 B2
  • Filed: 03/04/2003
  • Issued: 09/15/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A microneedle device for transporting fluid across a biological barrier, the device comprising:

  • (a) a fluid transport configuration including;

    (i) a substrate defining a substantially planar surface,(ii) a plurality of microneedles projecting from said substantially planar surface, and(iii) for each of said microneedles, a conduit extending through at least part of said microneedle, said conduit being configured to provide a fluid flow path for transport of fluids;

    (b) an abutment member having at least one abutment surface for abutting the biological barrier, said abutment member configured to anchor a region of the biological barrier so as to oppose movement of the biological barrier parallel to a surface of the biological barrier; and

    (c) a displacement mechanism mechanically linking between said abutment member and said fluid transport configuration, said displacement mechanism defining a path of movement of said fluid transport configuration relative to said abutment surface, at least part of said path of movement being such that, when said abutment member is anchored to the biological barrier and said displacement mechanism is actuated, said microneedles move relative to an initial position of the biological barrier together, while in contact with the biological barrier, in a direction having a non-zero component parallel to the surface of the biological barrier.

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