Patch applying apparatus

• US 9,943,673 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2011
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vaxxas Pty Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Vaxxas Pty Ltd.
• Inventors: Kendall, Mark Anthony Fernance, Ansaldo, Alexander Bernard, Crichton, Michael Lawrence, Falconer, Robert John
• Primary Examiner(s): Miles, Jonathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): GABR, MOHAMED GAMIL
• Application Number:
  US13/810,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20130190794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,469 Days
• Field of Search: 606151, 606157, 606158, 606186, 606205, 606206, 606207, 606213, 604 46, 604136, 604173, 604506, 623 2372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/205 Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14514 using means for aiding extraction of interstitial fluid, e.g. microneedles or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0023 Drug applicators using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles

Abstract

Apparatus for applying a patch to a subject, the patch having a number of projections thereon, the apparatus including opposable jaws movable between open and engaging positions, wherein in the open position the jaws can receive at least part of the subject, and in the engaging position the jaws can engage the at least part of the subject and a patch support for supporting a patch, and wherein the patch support is for urging the patch against the at least part of the subject.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying a patch to a subject, the apparatus comprising:

a) opposable jaws comprising a first arm and a second arm moveable between open and engaging positions, wherein in the open position the jaws can receive at least part of the subject between the jaws, and in the engaging position the jaws can engage the at least part of the subject and wherein one of the first and second arms includes an aperture;

b) a first patch having a number of solid projections thereon with at least one of the projections being coated;

c) a first patch support which supports the first patch, wherein the first patch support urges the first patch against the at least part of the subject so that the projections are capable of penetrating the skin of the subject, and wherein the patch is attached to the patch support;

d) a third arm mounted to the first and second arms, the first patch support being provided on the third arm;

e) a first biasing mechanism that urges the jaws into the engaging position thereby applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the first patch being applied; and

f) a second biasing mechanism that urges the third arm to deliver the first patch to the subject through the aperture at predetermined application parameters and such that the first patch is retained in place for a predetermined application period.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby compress the tissue.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a fourth arm mounted to the first and second arms, a second patch support being provided on the fourth arm and a second patch supported by the second patch support.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one of the first and second arms includes an aperture aligned with the patch support on the fourth arm so that the patch second extends through the aperture when engaging the subject, in use.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby compress the tissue.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second biasing mechanism urges the third arm to deliver the second patch to the subject at predetermined application parameters and such that the second patch is retained in place for a predetermined application period.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby stretch the tissue.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby pre-stress the tissue.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projections have a density of at least one of:

a) between 1,000-30,000 projections/cm²;

b) less than 1,000 projections/cm²; and

,

c) less than 100 projections/cm².

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projections have a length of at least one of:

a) between 10 to 200 μ

m; and

,

b) greater than 200 μ

m.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the projections have a length of 90 μ

m.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projections have a radius of curvature of at least one of:

a) greater than 0.5 μ

m;

b) greater than 1 μ

m; and

,

c) greater than 5 μ

m.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projections include a support section and a targeting section.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the targeting section has a diameter of less than at least one of:

a) 50 μ

m;

b) 100 μ

m;

c) 150 μ

m; and

,

d) 400 μ

m.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a length for the targeting section is at least:

a) less than 50 μ

m;

b) less than 100 μ

m; and

,

c) less than 300 μ

m.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a length for the support section is at least one of:

a) for epidermal delivery <

200 μ

m;

b) for dermal cell delivery <

1000 μ

m;

c) for delivery to basal cells in the epithelium of the mucosa 600-800 μ

m; and

,

d) for lung delivery of the order of 100 μ

m.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projections are shaped to at least partially control a depth of penetration of the projection in use.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the projections have a stepped configuration.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the projections have a supporting section having a diameter greater than a diameter of a targeting section.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby stretch the tissue.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is for applying a force to a tissue surface of the subject prior to the patch being applied, to thereby pre-stress the tissue.