Applicators for microneedles
First Claim
1. An applicator, comprising:
- a housing having at least one opening and a projection;
an actuating member having an external surface for application of a force and being movable between a first position and a second position;
a push member having a proximal end including a projection that can be retained by the housing projection;
an energy-storing element having a first configuration and second configuration, the energy-storing element being positioned between a lower surface of the housing and a proximal end of the push member; and
a skin-contacting member positioned in contact with a distal end of the housing;
wherein application of force to the actuating member moves the actuating member from the first position to the second position, thereby to effect release of the push member and corresponding release of the energy-storing element from the first configuration to the second configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An applicator for a microprojection array is described. In one embodiment, the applicator comprises an energy-storing element. Application of force causes the compressed energy-storing element to extend or transition from first and second configurations, releasing stored energy to deploy a holding member in the application which is configured to hold an array of microprojections. In another embodiment, the applicator comprises an energy storing element with two stable configurations, a first stable configuration and second stable configuration. Application of force causes the energy-storing element to transition from the higher energy first stable configuration to the lower energy second stable configuration, releasing the difference in energies of the two states to deploy a holding member in the application which is configured to hold an array of microprojections.
36 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An applicator, comprising:
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a housing having at least one opening and a projection; an actuating member having an external surface for application of a force and being movable between a first position and a second position; a push member having a proximal end including a projection that can be retained by the housing projection; an energy-storing element having a first configuration and second configuration, the energy-storing element being positioned between a lower surface of the housing and a proximal end of the push member; and a skin-contacting member positioned in contact with a distal end of the housing; wherein application of force to the actuating member moves the actuating member from the first position to the second position, thereby to effect release of the push member and corresponding release of the energy-storing element from the first configuration to the second configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification