Microneedle array chip

Abstract

The utility model discloses a microneedle array chip, which comprises a substrate and a plurality of microneedles arranged in an array on the front surface of the substrate, a groove is formed downwards from the tip of each microneedle, the width of each groove is not less than 10nm, and the depth of each groove is not less than 50nm. The microneedle array chip comprises a substrate, a plurality of microneedle clusters arranged in an array are arranged on the front face of the substrate, each microneedle cluster is composed of at least two microneedles, and the gap between the microneedles in each microneedle cluster is not smaller than 10 nm and not larger than 300 microns. By means of the grooves in the microneedles or the gaps between the microneedles in the microneedle clusters, the microneedles can play a role in carrying medicaments or cosmetic products, and the medicaments or cosmetic products can be carried into deep tissues below the cuticle when the microneedles penetrate through the cuticle, so that the absorption efficiency of the medicaments or cosmetic products is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of transdermal drug delivery, and particularly relates to a microneedle array chip. Background Art

[0002] A microneedle array chip is a device that uses microneedles to penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin. It can be used in the medical or beauty fields, allowing drugs or beauty products to pass through the stratum corneum of the skin for better absorption.

[0003] There are two types of microneedles in traditional microneedle array chips: solid microneedles and hollow microneedles.

[0004] Solid microneedles can leave micro channels on the stratum corneum through reciprocating punctures. The channels can last for a short period of time. During this period of time, when a medicine or cosmetic product is applied to the skin, the medicine or cosmetic product can pass through the stratum corneum through the micro channels and be absorbed by the deep tissue of the skin.

[0005] The working principle of the hollow microneedle is similar to that of a syringe. After the hollow microneedle penetrates the stratum corneum of the skin, it stays in the stratum corneum of the skin. The injection system injects the agent into the deep tissue of the skin through the cavity of the hollow microneedle.

[0006] Soluble microneedles are made of organic materials, and the medicine or beauty products are solidified on the surface of the microneedles. After the soluble microneedles pass through the stratum corneum, they stay in the stratum corneum of the skin for several minutes to several hours. During this duration, the medicine or beauty product continues to dissolve in the deep tissue of the skin. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a solid microneedle array chip which can improve the efficiency of medicines or cosmetic products passing through the stratum corneum of the skin.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0009] A microneedle array chip comprises a substrate and a plurality of microneedles arranged in an array on the front side of the substrate. A groove is provided downward from the microneedle tip, with a width of not less than 10 nm and a depth of not less than 50 nm.

[0010] Definition: Microneedle, a microneedle with a needle length of less than 5mm. The material of the microneedle can be single crystal silicon, metal or organic material, and the size of the microneedle can be micron or nanometer.

[0011] Preferably, a drug reservoir is provided on the back side of the substrate, and a fluid connection is achieved between the drug reservoir and the groove via a through hole.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes a through hole extending from the bottom surface of the groove to the back surface of the substrate.

[0013] Preferably, the groove is a straight groove or is composed of two straight grooves intersecting at any angle.

[0014] A microneedle array chip comprises a substrate, wherein the front side of the substrate is provided with a plurality of microneedle clusters arranged in an array, each microneedle cluster is composed of at least two microneedles, and the gap between the microneedles in each microneedle cluster is not less than 10nm and not more than 300μm.

[0015] Definition: A microneedle cluster refers to a group of microneedles with at least 2 microneedles. The spacing between microneedles within a microneedle cluster is smaller than the spacing between microneedle clusters on a microneedle array chip.

[0016] Preferably, a drug reservoir is provided on the back side of the substrate, and a fluid connection is achieved between the bottom surface of the drug reservoir and the front side of the substrate via a through hole, wherein the through hole is located between the microneedles in the microneedle cluster.

[0017] Preferably, each microneedle cluster consists of two microneedles.

[0018] Preferably, each microneedle cluster consists of two or more microneedles, and the microneedles are arranged in a circular pattern.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by utilizing the grooves on the microneedles or the gaps between the microneedles in the microneedle cluster, the microneedles can act as carriers of medicines or cosmetic products. When the microneedles pass through the stratum corneum, they can carry the medicines or cosmetic products into the deep tissues below the stratum corneum of the skin, thereby improving the absorption efficiency of the medicines or cosmetic products. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of the microneedle chip array of Example 1;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the back side of the microneedle chip array of Example 1;

[0022] Figure 3 is a partial schematic diagram of a single microneedle cluster of Example 1;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of a single drug storage tank in Example 1;

[0024] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a single microneedle cluster of Example 1;

[0025] Figure 6 is a partial schematic diagram of a single microneedle cluster in Example 2;

[0026] Figure 7 is a partial schematic diagram of a single microneedle cluster in Example 3;

[0027] Figure 8A partial side view of a single microneedle cluster in Example 3 Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 9 A partial side view of a single microneedle cluster in Example 3 Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 10 is a partial schematic diagram of a single microneedle cluster of Example 4;

[0030] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of a partial side view of a single microneedle cluster of Example 4;

[0031] Figure 12 is a partial schematic diagram of a single microneedle cluster of Example 5;

[0032] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of a single microneedle cluster in Example 5.

[0033] Reference Signs List

[0034] 1. Substrate; 2. Microneedle cluster; 21. Microneedle; 22. Tip; 23. Groove; 3. Drug reservoir; 4. Shallow groove; 5. Through hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0036] Example 1 of Microneedle Array Chip

[0037] Microneedle array chip Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of microneedle clusters 2 are arranged on the front of the substrate 1. The microneedle clusters 2 are arranged in a rectangular array. The horizontal and vertical spacing between the plurality of microneedle clusters 2 is 400 microns. The structure of the microneedle cluster 2 is as follows Figure 3 As shown, in the microneedle cluster 2, four microneedles 21 are gathered together, arranged in a circular array or arranged symmetrically with respect to the center, and a cross-shaped channel is formed between the microneedles 21. The channel can also be regarded as consisting of two mutually perpendicular rectangular channels intersecting. In the microneedle cluster 2, each microneedle 21 is a quadrangular pyramid with a height of 300 microns. The cross-section of the root of the microneedle 21 is a square with a side length of 25 microns. The spacing between two adjacent microneedles 21 is 50 microns, which can also be understood as the cross-shaped channel consisting of two mutually perpendicular rectangular channels with a width of 50 microns. A drug reservoir 3 is provided on the back of the substrate 1. The drug reservoir 3 is connected to the front of the substrate through a liquid guide hole. The liquid guide hole connects the fluid of the front of the substrate and the drug reservoir. The diameter of the liquid guide hole is 40 microns. The liquid guide hole is located in the gap between the microneedles 21 in the microneedle cluster 2, that is, in the cross-shaped channel.

[0038] Compared to existing solid microneedle array chips, the microneedle array chip provided in this embodiment uses microneedle clusters 2 to replace the solid microneedles in the prior art. The microneedle clusters 2 have the same principle of penetrating the skin as solid microneedles, and are used to penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin. Preferably, high-frequency vibrations are generated by a device such as a permeabilization device to penetrate the stratum corneum and leave micropores in the stratum corneum. Active ingredients for cosmetic use or medicinal ingredients for therapeutic use can then pass through the stratum corneum through the micropores and enter the deep structures of the skin, thereby improving the absorption effect of the active ingredients for cosmetic use or medicinal ingredients for therapeutic use. Compared to the prior art, this embodiment also achieves the following technical advancement: the gaps between the microneedles 21 in the microneedle cluster 2 can have a certain carrying effect. During the reciprocating puncture of the microneedle cluster 2 through the skin, the gaps can carry the active ingredients for cosmetic use or medicinal ingredients for therapeutic use into the deep structures of the skin, while the solid microneedles in the prior art do not have this carrying capacity. Therefore, compared to the solid microneedle array chip in the prior art, this embodiment can further improve the absorption effect of active ingredients for cosmetic use or medicinal ingredients for therapeutic use.

[0039] Compared with the existing solid microneedle array chip, this embodiment further provides a drug reservoir 3 on the back of the substrate 1. Figure 2 、 4 As shown in Figure 5, the drug reservoir 3 can store a certain amount of active ingredients that can be used for beauty or medicinal ingredients for treatment. The active ingredients that can be used for beauty or medicinal ingredients for treatment reach the front of the substrate 1 and the channel between the microneedle cluster 2 through the liquid guide hole, and pass through the stratum corneum and enter the deep structure of the skin during the process of the microneedle cluster 2 piercing the stratum corneum, thereby realizing a liquid-mechanical integrated design. Before using the microneedle array chip, there is no need to pre-apply the active ingredients that can be used for beauty or medicinal ingredients for treatment on the surface of the skin, thereby achieving the effect of simplifying the operation steps and reducing the user's learning cost. The mechanism of the active ingredients that can be used for beauty or medicinal ingredients for treatment passing through the liquid guide hole is similar to the mechanism of liquid discharging from the liquid outlet head in devices such as liquid-mechanical integrated permeation enhancers or water light guns. The active ingredients that can be used for beauty or medicinal ingredients for treatment are thrown out of the liquid guide hole due to their own inertia during the reciprocating vibration of the microneedle array chip. Each microneedle cluster 2 is provided with a corresponding drug reservoir 3 , and the drug reservoirs 3 are connected by shallow grooves 4 , so that the air pressure in each drug reservoir 3 can be the same, and the liquid discharge effect of each microneedle cluster 2 can be consistent.

[0040] Example 2 of Microneedle Array Chip

[0041] The front of the substrate 1 is provided with a plurality of microneedle clusters 2, which are arranged in a rectangular array, and the horizontal and vertical spacing of the microneedle clusters 2 are both 300 microns. The structure of the microneedle cluster 2 is as follows Figure 6As shown, the microneedle cluster 2 is composed of two microneedles 21, both of which are blade-shaped. The height of the two microneedles is 300 microns, and the distance between the two microneedles is 50 microns.

[0042] Compared to Example 1, in Example 2, a microneedle cluster 2 is composed of two microneedles 21, each of which is blade-shaped and can also be called a microblade. There is no drug reservoir on the back of the substrate 1, and the active ingredient used for cosmetic purposes or the medicinal ingredient used for therapeutic purposes must be applied to the skin surface before using the microneedle array chip. In Example 2, the gap between the two microneedles 21 also provides a certain carrying effect, which can further improve the absorption effect of the active ingredient used for cosmetic purposes or the medicinal ingredient used for therapeutic purposes compared to the solid microneedle array chips in the prior art.

[0043] Example 3 of Microneedle Array Chip

[0044] The front of the substrate 1 is provided with a plurality of microneedles 21, which are arranged in a rectangular array, and the horizontal and vertical spacing of the microneedles 21 is 300 microns. Figure 7 、 8 As shown in FIG9 , the lower part of the microneedle body is a prism, and the upper part is formed with two triangular tips 22, a V-shaped groove 23 is formed between the two tips 22, the groove depth is 100 microns, and the microneedle height is 400 microns. Figure 7 、 8 As shown in Figures 9 and 9 , the depth of the groove 23 is smaller than the height of the microneedle 21 .

[0045] Compared to solid microneedle arrays in the prior art, in this embodiment, a groove structure is formed at the microneedle tip 22. The microneedles 21 penetrate the skin using the same principle as solid microneedles, preferably by generating high-frequency vibrations through a device such as a permeabilization device to penetrate the stratum corneum and leave micropores in the stratum corneum. Active ingredients for cosmetic use or medicinal ingredients for therapeutic use can then pass through the stratum corneum through the micropores and enter the deeper layers of the skin, thereby improving the absorption of the active ingredients for cosmetic use or medicinal ingredients for therapeutic use. Compared to the prior art, this embodiment also achieves the following technical advancement: the groove 23 at the microneedle tip 22 can provide a certain carrying effect. During the reciprocating microneedle puncture of the skin, the groove 23 can carry the active ingredients for cosmetic use or medicinal ingredients for therapeutic use into the deeper layers of the skin. Solid microneedles in the prior art do not have this carrying capacity. Therefore, compared to solid microneedle array chips in the prior art, this embodiment can further improve the absorption of active ingredients for cosmetic use or medicinal ingredients for therapeutic use. Compared to Examples 1 and 2, the grooved structure in the microneedle tip 22 employed in this embodiment requires minimal structural changes to existing solid microneedles, requiring minimal process changes, making it easier to apply. The groove structure minimally impacts the physical properties of the microneedle body, preserving the advantages of existing solid microneedle fabrication processes and the advantages of finished solid microneedles, such as resistance to breakage. It is readily understood that when the depth of the groove 23 extending downward from the microneedle tip 22 equals the microneedle height, the microneedles form a microneedle cluster structure.

[0046] Example 4 of Microneedle Array Chip

[0047] The front of the substrate 1 is provided with a plurality of microneedles 21, which are arranged in a rectangular array, and the horizontal and vertical spacing of the microneedles 21 is 400 microns. Figure 10 and 11 As shown, the front of the substrate 1 is provided with a microneedle 21 having an outer profile of an octagonal pyramid. A rectangular groove 23 is provided on the top of the microneedle 21 from top to bottom. The width of the groove 23 is 15 microns, the depth of the groove 23 is 100 microns, the height of the microneedle is 300 microns, and the bottom diameter of the microneedle is 100 microns. It is easy to understand that when the depth of the groove 23 is equal to the height of the microneedle 21, the microneedle in this fourth embodiment forms a microneedle cluster structure similar to that in the second embodiment. In other words, the microneedle cluster 2 in the second embodiment can be understood as a special case of this fourth embodiment.

[0048] Example 5 of Microneedle Array Chip

[0049] The front of the substrate 1 is provided with a plurality of microneedles 21, which are arranged in a rectangular array, and the horizontal and vertical spacing of the microneedles 21 is 300 microns. Figure 12 and 13As shown, the microneedle 21 has a prism-like lower portion and two triangular tips 22 formed on the upper portion. A groove 23 is formed between the two tips. The two sides of the groove 23 are inclined surfaces. The bottom width of the groove 23 is 40 microns, the depth of the groove 23 is 100 microns, and the height of the microneedle is 400 microns. The depth of the groove 23 is less than the height of the microneedle 21. A through hole 5 is formed from the back of the substrate 1 to the bottom of the groove 23, making the microneedle 21 a hollow microneedle.

[0050] Example 6 of Microneedle Array Chip

[0051] The front of the substrate is equipped with multiple microneedle clusters 2, arranged in a rectangular array with a 300-micron spacing between them. Each cluster consists of two blade-shaped microneedles 21, each 300 microns tall and 10 nanometers apart.

[0052] Example 7 of Microneedle Array Chip

[0053] The front of the substrate is equipped with multiple microneedle clusters 2, arranged in a rectangular array with a 1000-micron spacing between them. Each cluster consists of two blade-shaped microneedles 21, each 500 microns tall and 300 microns apart.

Claims

1. A microneedle array chip comprising a substrate and a plurality of microneedles arranged in an array on the front surface of the substrate, characterized in that: A groove is opened downward from the tip of the microneedle, the width of the groove is not less than 10nm, and the depth is not less than 50nm; the microneedle includes an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part is formed with a tip, and the groove is formed between the tips; the groove is opened and extended downward from the tip of the microneedle, and the depth of the groove is less than the height of the microneedle.

2. The microneedle array chip according to claim 1, characterized in that The tip is a triangular tip.

3. The microneedle array chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The groove is a V-shaped groove.

4. The microneedle array chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The groove is a rectangular groove.

5. The microneedle array chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Two side surfaces of the groove are inclined surfaces.

6. The microneedle array chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A drug reservoir is provided on the back of the substrate, and a fluid connection is achieved between the drug reservoir and the groove via a through hole.

7. The microneedle array chip according to claim 6, characterized in that: Adjacent medicine storage pools are connected via shallow grooves.

8. The microneedle array chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The invention also includes a through hole extending from the bottom surface of the groove to the back surface of the substrate.

9. The microneedle array chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The groove is a straight groove or is composed of two straight grooves intersecting at any angle.

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