Microneedle drug delivery device
First Claim
1. An apparatus for transport of a material across or into a biological barrier, comprising:
- a plurality of hollow microneedles each having a base end and a tip, with at least one hollow pathway disposed at or between the base end and the tip, wherein the microneedles comprise a metal;
a substrate to which the base ends of the microneedles are attached or integrated;
at least one reservoir in which the material is disposed and which is in connection with the base end of at least one of the microneedles, either integrally or separably;
a sealing mechanism interposed between the at least one reservoir and the substrate, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a fracturable barrier; and
a device that expels the material in the reservoir into the base end of at least one of the microneedles,wherein the biological barrier comprises living tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Simple microneedle devices for delivery of drugs across or into biological tissue are provided, which permit drug delivery at clinically relevant rates across or into skin or other tissue barriers, with minimal or no damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. The devices include a substrate to which a plurality of hollow microneedles are attached or integrated, and at least one reservoir, containing the drug, selectably in communication with the microneedles, wherein the volume or amount of drug to be delivered can be selectively altered. The reservoir can be formed of a deformable, preferably elastic, material. The device typically includes a means, such as a plunger, for compressing the reservoir to drive the drug from the reservoir through the microneedles, In one embodiment, the reservoir is a syringe or pump connected to the substrate.
177 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for transport of a material across or into a biological barrier, comprising:
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a plurality of hollow microneedles each having a base end and a tip, with at least one hollow pathway disposed at or between the base end and the tip, wherein the microneedles comprise a metal; a substrate to which the base ends of the microneedles are attached or integrated; at least one reservoir in which the material is disposed and which is in connection with the base end of at least one of the microneedles, either integrally or separably; a sealing mechanism interposed between the at least one reservoir and the substrate, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a fracturable barrier; and a device that expels the material in the reservoir into the base end of at least one of the microneedles, wherein the biological barrier comprises living tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification