Device for applying a microneedle array
First Claim
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1. A device for applying a microneedle array to a skin surface comprising:
- a base defining a skin contacting plane;
an array component having a skin facing side comprising a microneedle array;
a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member having a first portion affixed through a first hinge to the base and a second portion affixed to the array component through a second hinge;
wherein the connecting member has a first equilibrium position with the microneedle array in a recessed position within the device;
wherein the connecting member has a second equilibrium position with the microneedle array positioned so that at least a portion of the microneedle array penetrates a skin surface after removal of pressure that moves the connecting member from the first equilibrium position to the second equilibrium position;
wherein in the second equilibrium position, the second hinge is closer to the skin contacting plane than the first hinge; and
wherein the device comprises at least one of the following;
(i) the connecting member comprises one or more non-linear sections,(ii) the cross-sectional thickness of the base is larger than the cross-sectional thickness of the connecting member, or(iii) the first hinge is selected from the group consisting of (a) a separate hinge component and (b) a living hinge.
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Abstract
A device (100) for applying a microneedle array to a skin surface. The device comprises a base (120) defining a skin contacting plane, an array component having a skin facing side comprising a microneedle array, and at least one connecting member (140) having a first portion affixed through a first hinge (142) to the base and a second portion affixed to the array component. The connecting member has a first equilibrium position with the microneedle array in a recessed position within the device and a second equilibrium position with the microneedle array positioned so as to be able to contact a skin surface.
155 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for applying a microneedle array to a skin surface comprising:
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a base defining a skin contacting plane; an array component having a skin facing side comprising a microneedle array; a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member having a first portion affixed through a first hinge to the base and a second portion affixed to the array component through a second hinge; wherein the connecting member has a first equilibrium position with the microneedle array in a recessed position within the device; wherein the connecting member has a second equilibrium position with the microneedle array positioned so that at least a portion of the microneedle array penetrates a skin surface after removal of pressure that moves the connecting member from the first equilibrium position to the second equilibrium position; wherein in the second equilibrium position, the second hinge is closer to the skin contacting plane than the first hinge; and wherein the device comprises at least one of the following; (i) the connecting member comprises one or more non-linear sections, (ii) the cross-sectional thickness of the base is larger than the cross-sectional thickness of the connecting member, or (iii) the first hinge is selected from the group consisting of (a) a separate hinge component and (b) a living hinge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of applying a microneedle array to a skin surface comprising the steps of:
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providing a device a base defining a skin contacting plane; an array component having a skin facing side comprising a microneedle array; a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member having a first portion affixed through a first hinge to the base and a second portion affixed to the array component;
through a second hinge;wherein the connecting member has a first equilibrium position with the microneedle array in a recessed position within the device; wherein the connecting member has a second equilibrium position with the microneedle array positioned so that at least a portion of the microneedle array penetrates a skin surface after removal of pressure that moves the connecting member from the first equilibrium position to the second equilibrium position; wherein in the second equilibrium position, the second hinge is closer to the skin contacting plane than the first hinge; wherein the device comprises at least one of the following; (i) the connecting member comprises one or more non-linear sections, (ii) the cross-sectional thickness of the base is larger than the cross-sectional thickness of the connecting member, or (iii) the first hinge is selected from the group consisting of (a) a separate hinge component and (b) a living hinge; placing the device on a skin surface; and applying a force to the array component sufficient to move the plurality of connecting members to the second equilibrium position. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification