Microneedle patch applicator

• US 8,734,395 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2013
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeritas, Inc. (Zealand Pharma A/S)
• Original Assignee: Valeritas, Inc. (Zealand Pharma A/S)
• Inventors: McAllister, Devin V.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLICK, JASON E
• Application Number:
  US13/972,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20130338596A1
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 604/136
• US Class Current: 604/136
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/205 Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0023 Drug applicators using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles

Abstract

A method and apparatus for application of a microneedle patch to a skin surface of a patient includes use of an applicator. The applicator includes a housing, a slidably disposed applicator plate, and a compression spring. The applicator plate is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, and has an engaging surface suitable for mashing up against a microneedle patch and pressing it against a skin surface. A docking system transfers the microneedle patch from a support to the applicator without requiring a user to handle the microneedle patch directly. Once mounted in the applicator, the microneedle patch is deployed against a skin surface of a patient for delivery of a desired agent via a microneedle array contained on the patch.

Claims

1. A microneedle patch applicator, comprising:

a housing;

a slidably disposed applicator plate, moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position in a reciprocating manner, the applicator plate having an engaging surface and the applicator plate having a cylindrical aperture that passes therethrough, the cylindrical aperture having an internal wall;

a spring mounted in such a way that imparts a spring force to the applicator plate when the applicator plate is in the retracted position;

a microneedle patch docking mechanism configured in such a way that the docking mechanism captures and holds a microneedle patch in a position proximal the engaging surface of the applicator plate while the applicator plate is in the retracted position; and

a latch mechanism that frictionally engages with the internal wall of the cylindrical aperture to hold the applicator plate in place, and when unlatched disengages from the internal wall and permits the applicator plate to move;

wherein the applicator plate is placed in the retracted position with the docking mechanism holding the microneedle patch proximal the engaging surface, and when the latch mechanism is unlatched, the applicator plate is propelled by the spring to the deployed position.

2. The microneedle patch applicator of claim 1, further comprising a trigger mechanism configured in such a way that activation of the trigger unlatches the latch mechanism.

3. The microneedle patch applicator of claim 1, wherein when the latch mechanism is in an unlatched position, the applicator plate is capable of retraction to the retracted position in response to a force applied to the microneedle patch applicator.

4. The microneedle patch applicator of claim 1, wherein unlatching of the latch mechanism when the applicator plate is in the retracted position releases the applicator plate enabling movement from the retracted position to the deployed position with a kinetic energy of between about 0.1 lbf*in and about 10 and preferably between about 1 lbf*in and about 2 lbf*in.

5. The microneedle patch applicator of claim 1, wherein the spring has a spring constant of between about 0.1 lbf/in and about 50 lbf/in, and preferably between about 2.4 and about 8.5 lbf/in.

6. The microneedle patch applicator of claim 1, wherein the microneedle patch applicator deploys the microneedle patch with sufficient force to anchor the microneedle patch to a skin surface with a plurality of microneedles disposed thereon.

7. The microneedle patch applicator of claim 1, wherein the microneedle patch applicator is stored in a sterile packaging prior to use.

8. The microneedle patch applicator of claim 1, wherein the spring comprises a compression spring.