Wearable microneedle device

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a wearable microneedle device that can be flexibly adapted to the shape of the attachment site and the purpose of use, and that allows the amount of needle protrusion to be adjusted. [Solution] The wearable microneedle device 10 is characterized by comprising a plurality of needles 16, a flexible base sheet portion 14 that holds the plurality of needles 16, and an adhesive sheet portion 12 that is configured so that the plurality of needles 16 penetrate and protrude through the base sheet portion 14 and is attached to the palm or pad of the finger, allowing the needles 16 to pierce the skin of that area.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a microneedle device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, microneedle devices have been used to puncture the surface of the skin with tiny needles (microneedles) for purposes such as transdermal drug administration, beauty treatments, and acupuncture stimulation.

[0003] Conventional microneedle devices come in a variety of configurations, including patch, roller, and stamp shapes, but most have a fixed shape and lack structural flexibility, meaning they often do not fit well to the shape of the area to be attached or treated.In addition, the length and protrusion of the needles are fixed, making it difficult to flexibly adjust them to suit the user's purpose or body part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6452784 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a wearable microneedle device that can be flexibly adapted to the attachment site, the shape of the treatment site, and the purpose, and that also allows the amount of needle protrusion to be adjusted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wearable microneedle device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a plurality of needles, a base sheet portion that holds the needles so that their tips protrude, and an adhesive sheet portion that is laminated on the base sheet portion and can be attached to the palm of the hand to insert the needles into the skin.

[0007] In addition, in the wearable microneedle device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the base sheet portion has a variable portion that allows the protruding amount of the multiple needles to be variable depending on the thickness of the base sheet.

[0008] In addition, in the wearable microneedle device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of needles are arranged in a matrix on the base sheet portion.

[0009] In addition, in the wearable microneedle device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the base sheet portion is formed from a flexible resin material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this invention, the flexible base sheet allows for close adhesion to curved areas such as the palm of the hand, and at the same time, the device flexibly deforms to fit the curved treatment area, providing a microneedle device with excellent wearability and adhesion. Furthermore, by changing the thickness of the base sheet, the amount of needle protrusion can be adjusted, allowing the strength and depth of treatment to be optimized according to the user and application. Furthermore, the arrangement of multiple needles in a matrix allows for adjustment of the treatment area and selective stimulation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the configuration of a wearable microneedle device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a wearable microneedle device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the palm of the hand. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration of a modified example of the wearable microneedle device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the same elements in all the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, in the description below, the reference numerals previously mentioned will be used as necessary.

[0013] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a wearable microneedle device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1(a) being a plan view of the wearable microneedle device 10, (b) being a perspective view, and (c) being a side cross-sectional view.

[0014] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a wearable microneedle device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to the palm of the hand. When in use, the adhesive sheet portion 12 of the wearable microneedle device 10 is positioned at a predetermined location on the palm and gently pressed against the palm, allowing the multiple needles 16 to penetrate evenly into the skin surface.

[0015] This allows the tips of the needles 16 to contact the skin layer at an appropriate depth, minimizing pain and discomfort, and providing therapeutic effects such as stimulation. The entire device flexibly conforms to the curved shape of the palm, achieving a uniform and stable fit.

[0016] The wearable microneedle device 10 comprises a plurality of needles 16, a flexible base sheet part 14 for holding the plurality of needles 16, and an adhesive sheet part 12 laminated on the base sheet part 14. The plurality of needles 16 are arranged to penetrate the base sheet part 14 and protrude in one direction, and by attaching the wearable microneedle device 10 to the palm of the practitioner's hand, the needles 16 protrude outward, and the needle tips are placed against the skin of the person to be treated to perform the treatment.

[0017] The adhesive sheet portion 12 is made of a flexible adhesive sheet, which can be directly attached to the skin surface of the user's palm or finger pads. This adhesiveness allows the wearable microneedle device 10 to be securely attached, preventing it from slipping or peeling off during use. The needles 16 protrude from the outside of the device, and when the practitioner wears the device, they can press the needles 16 against the skin of the patient to perform treatment, such as providing subtle stimulation.

[0018] The base sheet part 14 has a variable thickness structure that adjusts the amount of protrusion of the needles 16, making it possible to appropriately control the depth of penetration into the skin of the needles 16. Specifically, by attaching one or more layers of the base sheet part 14 onto the adhesive sheet part 12, the overall thickness can be adjusted.

[0019] For example, if the thickness of the base sheet 14 is 1 mm, stacking one sheet will reduce the protrusion of the needles 16 by 1 mm, stacking two sheets will reduce it by 2 mm, etc., allowing for stepwise adjustment of the depth depending on the user's purpose and the area to be treated. In addition, the multiple needles 16 are arranged on the base sheet 14 in a regular matrix or in any pattern depending on the area, allowing for flexible design of the treatment area according to the purpose.

[0020] The base sheet portion 14 is made of a flexible material such as silicone, polyurethane, or thermoplastic elastomer that adheres well to the practitioner's skin (e.g., palm) and the treatment area, so it does not interfere with finger movement when worn and provides a comfortable fit that naturally follows even delicate and quick treatment movements.

[0021] In the configuration example of the wearable microneedle device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the adhesive sheet part 12 is formed into a substantially square shape and is integrally laminated with the base sheet part 14. A plurality of needles 16 (nine needles 16 in Figures 1 and 2) are arranged at regular intervals between the adhesive sheet part 12 and the base sheet part 14 and protrude through the base sheet part 14, making it possible to provide precise stimulation to the skin of the treatment recipient.

[0022] The wearable microneedle device 10 is lightweight and flexible, allowing the user to easily fit it to a curved surface such as the palm of the hand, and maintaining a stable attachment state.

[0023] The needles 16 are microneedles made of metal or high-strength polymers manufactured using microfabrication technology, and are usually about 0.3 to 0.9 mm long. These needles 16 employ a so-called circular skin needle structure, and are aligned at equal intervals between the adhesive sheet part 12 and the base sheet part 14 while being held by individual small adhesive sheets.

[0024] Each needle is independent and designed to penetrate the skin evenly and reliably. The tip is smoothly polished to minimize pain and strain on the skin during insertion while providing sufficient stimulation.

[0025] The thickness of the base sheet portion 14 is designed in conjunction with the effective projection length of the needles, and is optimized so that the needles 16 penetrate the skin at a uniform depth. Furthermore, by devising a structure for the base material, it is possible to add cushioning properties and elastic restoring force against external forces, and it is also possible to reduce the strain on the skin caused by movements while wearing the device.

[0026] Next, we will explain the effects of the wearable microneedle device 10. Conventional microneedle devices were not designed to fit the palm of the practitioner's hand or the area to be treated, and therefore had problems such as uneven insertion, discomfort during operation, and difficulty in achieving sufficient treatment effects.

[0027] In order to solve these problems, the wearable microneedle device 10 of the present invention has a highly flexible base sheet portion 14 and is designed to flexibly conform to the area where it is to be worn, such as the palm of the practitioner's hand, thereby achieving a configuration with excellent treatment operability that allows the needles 16 to be pressed stably against the skin of the person being treated.

[0028] As a result, the entire needle 16 comes into uniform contact with the skin surface, there is no variation in the insertion depth, and a reliable and uniform treatment effect is obtained. In particular, when the wearable microneedle device 10 is attached to the palm of the hand as shown in Figure 2, the flexible adhesive sheet portion 12 and base sheet portion 14 naturally follow the curvature of the palm, and the needle 16 is inserted uniformly and perpendicularly into the skin surface, allowing for intuitive and stable treatment operation without the practitioner having to consciously adjust the pressure or position.

[0029] Furthermore, by making the base sheet portion 14 variable in thickness, it is possible to adjust the amount of protrusion of the needles 16, i.e., the insertion depth, and it is possible to set the optimal treatment according to the user's skin type, site characteristics, and purpose (stimulation, drug introduction, cosmetic treatment, etc.). This allows the balance between safety and effectiveness to be individually optimized, and also supports personalized treatment.

[0030] Furthermore, since the needles 16 can be arranged in a matrix or any other pattern, flexible treatment designs are possible depending on the target area and purpose, from wide-area treatment to localized stimulation. For example, a matrix arrangement is suitable when uniformity of stimulation is important, while an arbitrary dispersed arrangement is suitable for meridian stimulation, acupoint treatment, or pinpoint treatment in narrow areas.

[0031] In addition, the needles 16 are designed to avoid pain nerves and have smooth tips, reducing the risk of pain and bleeding. This makes them suitable for use not only in medical settings, but also for self-care by consumers for cosmetic purposes.

[0032] As described above, the wearable microneedle device 10 of the present invention has succeeded in achieving a high level of flexibility, adhesion, treatment precision, and safety, which were difficult to achieve with conventional devices, and significantly improves the reliability and efficiency of skin stimulation. Therefore, this device is expected to be used in a wide range of applications as an extremely useful treatment tool in the fields of beauty, medicine, and health care.

[0033] With this configuration, the wearable microneedle device 10 allows the user to easily perform treatment without requiring special skills or auxiliary tools; all the user needs to do is press the device against the skin. Because it is easy to operate, it can be widely used not only by medical professionals but also in self-care applications and beauty clinics.

[0034] In addition, the physical stimulation caused by the insertion of the needles 16 is expected to have multiple cosmetic and therapeutic effects, such as promoting collagen production and activating cell turnover.

[0035] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the configuration of a wearable microneedle device 11, which is a modified example of the wearable microneedle device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the wearable microneedle device 11, and Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view thereof.

[0036] Furthermore, the needles 17 are held by a flexible adhesive sheet, allowing the needles to be inserted at a certain angle and in a certain direction. This allows the needles to fit properly even if the area to which they are attached has curved or uneven surfaces, resulting in a uniform treatment effect.

[0037] The needles 17 have an integrated structure in which nine needles are arranged on a single flexible adhesive sheet, and each needle is fixed in a predetermined position. On the other hand, the needles 16 used in the device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 have an individual circular skin needle structure, and nine of them are arranged independently on the base sheet 14.

[0038] Due to this structure, needles 16 are inserted individually into the skin and are suitable for localized pressure stimulation, whereas needles 17 have an integrated support structure that allows for uniform application and stability, making them suitable for use in providing widespread and uniform stimulation.

[0039] The wearable microneedle device of this invention is not only suitable for manual application, but also for use in manufacturing processes with a view to future mass production. Specifically, the product can be manufactured in an integrated manner using a process in which needles are fixed integrally onto a flexible sheet using an automated placement device, or by using integrated molding techniques that combine adhesive technology and injection molding technology. Such expandability and scalability in manufacturing are extremely important features for the industrial applicability of this invention.

[0040] In response to increasing consumer awareness of hygiene, the devices are often designed to be disposable, and low-cost materials and molding techniques are used for this purpose. For example, the introduction of environmentally friendly bioplastics and recyclable components makes it possible to provide sustainable medical and beauty products.

[0041] Furthermore, by combining it with ICT technology, it is expected that the device will be able to sense the treatment history, attachment pressure, treatment time, etc. of the microneedle device and link it to external devices such as smartphones. In this way, the device of this invention has great potential for future development in the smart healthcare field. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10,11 Wearable microneedle device, 12 adhesive sheet part, 14 base sheet part, 16,17 acupuncture needle.

Claims

1. Multiple needles and a base sheet portion that holds the needles so that the tips of the needles protrude; an adhesive sheet portion that is laminated on the base sheet portion and can be attached to the palm of the hand to insert the needles into the skin; A wearable microneedle device comprising:

2. The wearable microneedle device according to claim 1, The wearable microneedle device is characterized in that the base sheet portion has a variable portion that allows the protrusion amount of the multiple needles to be changed depending on the thickness of the base sheet.

3. The wearable microneedle device according to claim 1, A wearable microneedle device characterized in that the multiple needles are arranged in a matrix on the base sheet portion.

4. The wearable microneedle device according to claim 1, The wearable microneedle device is characterized in that the base sheet portion is formed from a flexible resin material.

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