Microneedle patch applicator support

• US 9,155,875 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2013
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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:
  US13/972,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20130338597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 604/136
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 support, comprising:

a housing having a perimeter wall defining an internal area, the housing having a central longitudinal axis; and

an elevated hub disposed within the internal area, having a top, and having a central longitudinal axis;

wherein the microneedle patch support is sized and dimensioned to support a microneedle patch in such a way that the microneedle patch rests on the elevated hub, and any needles extending from the microneedle patch do not make contact with the microneedle patch support; and

wherein the elevated hub, being in a central part of the housing and having its central longitudinal axis parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the housing, is spaced laterally inward from the perimeter wall in such a way that the top of the elevated hub does not directly contact the perimeter wall.

2. The microneedle patch support of claim 1, wherein the perimeter wall defining the internal area is substantially circular in shape.

3. The microneedle patch support of claim 1, wherein the elevated hub is disposed at a location that is substantially at a center point of the internal area.

4. The microneedle patch support of claim 1, wherein the elevated hub comprises a substantially mesa shape with a hollow center at a substantially flat portion of thea top of the elevated hub.

5. The microneedle patch support of claim 1, wherein the elevated hub has a hollow center.

6. The microneedle patch support of claim 1, further comprising a removably attached sealing cover, extending across the housing and sealing the internal area closed.

7. The microneedle patch support of claim 6, wherein the sealing cover is adhered to the support housing using a chemical adhesive or a heat seal.

8. The microneedle patch support of claim 1, wherein the internal area is sterilized.

9. The microneedle patch support of claim 1, wherein the support is configured in such a way that the support protects a microneedle patch from inadvertent contact during storage or handling of the support.

10. The microneedle patch support of claim 1, wherein the support is sealable with a microneedle patch disposed therein.

11. The microneedle patch support of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the elevated hub and an inner surface of an aperture disposed within a microneedle patch are generally concentric when the microneedle patch contacts the microneedle patch support.