Self-interlocking microstructure

The microstructure with a base film and microneedles featuring support wings addresses the challenges of quantitative drug delivery by ensuring stable skin contact and preventing microneedle breakage, thereby enhancing the efficiency and safety of transdermal drug delivery.

JP7658617B2Active Publication Date: 2025-04-08CURSUS BIO INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023530604
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-08-05
Filing Date
2021-11-02
Publication Date
2025-04-08
Estimated Expiration
2041-11-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing microstructures for transdermal drug delivery, such as microneedles, face challenges in delivering quantitative drugs due to disengagement after skin insertion, limited drug loading capacity, and difficulty in maintaining close contact with the skin, which can lead to skin irritation and inefficiency in drug delivery.

Method used

The microstructure comprises a base film with microneedles that include a needle body and support wings, where the support wings are thinner than the needle body and symmetrical about its center, allowing for self-interlocking with the skin and stable adhesion, thereby preventing microneedle breakage during insertion and ensuring efficient drug delivery.

Benefits of technology

The described microstructure enables stable and quantitative drug delivery to the skin by maintaining close contact and preventing microneedle breakage, thus enhancing the efficiency and safety of transdermal drug delivery systems.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A microstructure is disclosed, which includes a base film and a plurality of microneedles formed on one surface of the base film, and each of the microneedles may include a needle body and a plurality of support wings arranged around the needle body, connecting an outer surface of the needle body to the base film, and having a thickness thinner than the needle body.
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a microstructure, and more particularly to a microstructure capable of penetrating the skin and delivering a drug. [Background technology]

[0002] There are several routes of administration for delivering drugs to the body, including oral, injectable, and transdermal. Oral administration is a convenient method of administration that can increase patient compliance, and delivers active ingredients to the body in the form of capsules, tablets, or syrups. However, the active ingredients can be inactivated due to first-pass metabolism in the liver, and the absorption rate of biopharmaceuticals is actually relatively low. Therefore, in order to accurately and quickly exert the medicinal effects of drugs and therapeutic agents, they are administered to the human body by puncturing the skin barrier via injection. Delivery via injection has the advantage of maintaining the activity of the active ingredients, but has disadvantages such as the risk of infection, inaccurate administration of the dose, phobia, and pain.

[0003] To overcome the limitations of existing oral and injectable routes of administration, various microstructured transdermal drug delivery systems, including minimally penetrating microneedles, have been developed. Microstructures are mainly fabricated in the form of biodegradable (dissolving), solid, coating, and hollow. Biodegradable microstructures are a transdermal delivery system in which various substances, including polymers and active ingredients (API / cosmetics or medicines), are formulated into fine needles, and after being inserted into the skin, the loaded substances are dissolved by body fluids, allowing the drug to be delivered painlessly.

[0004] Existing microstructures are composed of a wide base film and a thin-body microneedle, and the microneedle is mainly provided in the form of a cone or a polygonal pyramid. Such a shape of the microneedle has a high possibility of being detached after being inserted into the skin, so that it is difficult to deliver a fixed amount of drug. In addition, since the microneedle is manufactured in a fine size of tens to hundreds of microns, the amount of drug loaded is limited, and it is not possible to deliver a desired amount of active ingredient into the body, so that it has a limitation that it is mainly applied in the field of cosmetics. Furthermore, since the microstructure cannot maintain a state of close contact with the skin, it takes a long time for the drug to dissolve, which causes various skin diseases including itching, dermatitis, and allergies, and there are limitations such as inconvenience in application. Furthermore, when the microstructure is separated from the mold or inserted into the skin by pressing the microstructure with a finger, the microneedle may break or not be inserted accurately into the skin depending on the direction and magnitude of the force acting. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention provides microstructures capable of metered drug delivery to the skin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The microstructure according to the present invention includes a base film and a plurality of microneedles formed on one surface of the base film, and the microneedles may include a needle body and a plurality of support wings arranged around the needle body, connecting an outer surface of the needle body to the base film, and having a thickness thinner than that of the needle body.

[0007] The support wings may be symmetrical with respect to the center of the needle body.

[0008] Additionally, the support wings may have a gradually decreasing thickness as they move away from the center of the needle body.

[0009] Further, the needle body may include a first region that is connected to the base film, a second region that extends from the first region and has a width that gradually increases as it moves away from the first region, and a third region that extends from the second region and has a width that gradually decreases toward its end, and each of the support wings may be provided in a section between the first region and the second region.

[0010] Furthermore, an end of the region where the support blade and the base film are connected may be located inside the maximum radius region of the second region when viewed from above.

[0011] Furthermore, an end of the region where the support blade and the base film are connected may be located on the same line as the maximum radius region of the second region when viewed from above.

[0012] Furthermore, an end of the region where the support blade and the base film are connected may be located outside the second region and the maximum radius region when viewed from above.

[0013] Furthermore, the connecting region between the second region and the third region may have a curved outer circumferential surface.

[0014] Further, the needle body may include a first region that is connected to the base film, a second region that extends from the first region and has a width that gradually increases as it moves away from the first region, and a third region that extends from the second region and has a width that gradually decreases toward its end, and each of the support wings may extend downward from an end of the third region and be connected to the base film.

[0015] Furthermore, a connection region where the support blade and the base film are connected may be larger than the maximum radius of the second region.

[0016] Further, the support feathers may include a first support feather 250 located on one side of the needle body and a second support feather located on the opposite side of the first support feather around the needle body, and the first support feather and the second support feather may have different thicknesses.

[0017] Furthermore, the support fin may have a thickness that gradually increases from its upper end to its lower end adjacent to the base film. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, the microneedle is provided with a structure in which the needle body and the supporting wing are combined, and since self-interlocking is possible, the microstructure can stably maintain a state in which it is in close contact with the skin. As a result, the microstructure can dissolve and penetrate the skin, and a fixed amount of drug can be delivered. In addition, since the supporting wing connects the needle body and the base film, damage to the microneedle can be prevented in the process of separating from the mold or penetrating the skin. Furthermore, since the needle body is composed of a first region, a second region having a maximum radius region, and a third region in which a tip is formed, a sufficient amount of drug can be loaded. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a microstructure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the microneedle shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the optimized size of the microneedle according to the embodiment of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a microstructure according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the microneedle shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a process for manufacturing a microstructure using a mold. [Figure 10] 1A-1D are diagrams illustrating a process of inserting a microstructure into the skin according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1A-1D illustrate various shapes of needle bodies according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1A-1D illustrate various shapes of needle bodies according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 illustrates a needle body and a base film according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1A-1D show cross sections of support wings according to various embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 17] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views illustrating the arrangement of support wings according to various embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 18] 1 is an image showing microstructures and microneedles made according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a process of injecting a drug by penetrating a microstructure according to an embodiment of the present invention into the skin. [Figure 20] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing a process of injecting a drug by penetrating a microstructure according to a comparative example into the skin. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 shows a microstructure and its microneedle fabricated according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 shows a microstructure and its microneedle fabricated according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23]FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a microneedle made according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The microstructure according to the present invention includes a base film and a plurality of microneedles formed on one surface of the base film, and the microneedles may include a needle body and a plurality of support wings arranged around the needle body, connecting an outer surface of the needle body to the base film, and having a thickness thinner than that of the needle body.

[0021] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced below are provided so that the disclosed content will be thorough and complete, and so that the idea of ​​the present invention will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art.

[0022] In this specification, when a component is on another component, it means that it is directly formed on the other component or that a third component may be interposed between them. Also, in the drawings, the thicknesses of films and regions are exaggerated for the purpose of effectively explaining the technical contents.

[0023] Furthermore, in various embodiments of the present specification, terms such as first, second, and third are used to describe various components, but such terms should not be used to limit the components. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, what is referred to as a first component in one embodiment may be referred to as a second component in another embodiment. Each embodiment described and exemplified below also includes its complementary embodiment. In addition, in this specification, "and / or" is used to mean that at least one of the preceding and following components is included.

[0024] In the specification, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, component, or combination thereof described in the specification, and should not be understood as excluding the presence or possibility of addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, components, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, in the specification, the term "connected" is used in a sense that includes both indirect and direct connection of multiple components.

[0025] In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of related publicly known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0026] Microstructures according to various embodiments of the present invention can be loaded with drugs and deliver the drugs through the skin of the body.

[0027] The term "drug" refers to a broad concept, and includes not only therapeutic agents for therapeutic purposes in the narrow sense, but also energy, nano-ingredients, cosmetic ingredients (e.g., anti-wrinkle agents, skin aging inhibitors, and skin whitening agents), cell culture media, and the like.

[0028] Specifically, the therapeutic agents include chemical drugs, protein / peptide drugs, peptide drugs, nucleic acid molecules for gene therapy, etc.

[0029] For example, the therapeutic agent may include anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, anti-arthritic agents, antispasmodics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, neuroleptics, anxiolytics, opiate antagonists, anti-Parkinson's drugs, cholinergic agonists, anti-cancer agents, anti-angiogenesis inhibitors, immunosuppressants, antiviral agents, antibiotics, appetite suppressants, analgesics, anticholinergic agents, antihistamines, anti-migraine agents, hormones, coronary, cerebral or peripheral vasodilators, contraceptives, antithrombotic agents, diuretics, antihypertensive agents, agents for treating cardiovascular disease, and the like.

[0030] In particular, protein / peptide drugs can include hormones, hormone analogs, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, signal transduction proteins or portions thereof, antibodies or portions thereof, single chain antibodies, binding proteins or binding domains thereof, antigens, adhesion proteins, structural proteins, regulatory proteins, toxic proteins, cytokines, transcription regulators, blood clotting factors, vaccines, and the like. More particularly, the protein / peptide pharmaceuticals include insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), growth hormone, erythropoietin, granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs), granulocyte / macrophage colony stimulating factors (GM-CSFs), interferon alpha, interferon beta, interferon gamma, interleukin-1 alpha and beta, interleukin-3, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-2, epidermal growth factors (EGFs), calcitonin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), atobisban, buserelin, cetrorelix, deslorelin, desmopressin, dynorphin A, and the like. A) (1-13), elcatonin, eleidosin, eptifibatide, GHRH-II (growth hormone releasinghormone-II), gonadorelin, goserelin, histrelin, leuprorelin, lypressin, octreotide, oxytocin, pitressin, secretin, sincalide, terlipressin, thymopentin, thymosine α1, triptorelin, bivalirudin, carbetocin, cyclosporine, exedine, lanreotide, LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) These can include steroids, such as steroid hormone, nafarelin, parathyroid hormone, pramlintide, T-20 (enfuvirtide), thymalfasin, and ziconotide.

[0031] In addition, the microstructure according to the present invention is self-interlocking after being inserted into the skin tissue, and therefore can be manufactured from a biocompatible or biodegradable material. A biocompatible or biodegradable material is a material that is substantially non-toxic, chemically inert, and non-immunogenic to the human body, and has the advantage of eventually dissolving after penetrating into the body.

[0032] The type of such biocompatible material is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include hyaluronic acid, polyesters, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), poly(α-hydroxy acids), poly(β-hydroxy acids), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate; PHBV), poly(3-hydroxyproprionate; PHP), poly(3-hydroxyhexanoate; PHH), poly(4-hydroxyacid), poly(4-hydroxybutyrate), poly(4-hydroxyvalerate), poly(4-hydroxyhexanoate), poly(ester amide), polycaprolactone, polylactide, polyglycolide, poly(lactide-co-glycolide;PLGA), polydioxanone, polyorthoester, polyetherester, polyanhydride, poly(glycolic acid-co-trimethylene carbonate), polyphosphoester, polyphosphoester urethane, poly(amino acid), polycyanoacrylate, poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(iminocarbonate), poly(tyrosine carbonate), polycarbonate, poly(tyrosine arylate), polyalkylene oxalate, polyphosphazene, PHA-PEG, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) , polyurethanes, silicones, polyesters, polyolefins, polyisobutylene and ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, styrene-isobutylene-styrene triblock copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinyl halide polymers and copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl methyl ethers, polyvinylidene halides, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyfluoroalkenes, polyperfluoroalkenes, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl aromatics, polystyrene, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamides, alkyd resins, polyoxymethylene, polyimides, polyethers, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacrylic acid-co-maleic acid, chitosan, dextran, cellulose, heparin, alginates, inulin, starch or glycogen can be used, hyaluronic acid, polyesters, poly Hydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), poly(α-hydroxy acids), poly(β-hydroxy acids), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate; PHBV), poly(3-hydroxyproprionate; PHP), poly(3-hydroxyhexanoate; PHH), poly(4-hydroxy acids), poly(4-hydroxybutyrate), poly(4-hydroxyvalerate), poly(4-hydroxyhexanoate), poly(ester amides), polycaprolactone, polylactide, polyglycolide, poly(lactide-co-glycolide);One or more selected from the group consisting of PLGA), polydioxanones, polyorthoesters, polyetheresters, polyanhydrides, poly(glycolic acid-co-trimethylene carbonate), polyphosphoesters, polyphosphoester urethanes, poly(amino acids), polycyanoacrylates, poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(iminocarbonates), poly(tyrosine carbonate), polycarbonates, poly(tyrosine arylates), polyalkylene oxalates, polyphosphazenes, PHA-PEGs, chitosan, dextran, cellulose, heparin, alginates, inulin, starch, and glycogen may be used;

[0033] When the microstructure is a solid microneedle loaded with a biocompatible or biodegradable material, it can further be loaded with a drug.

[0034] Various embodiments of self-interlocking microstructures are described below.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a microstructure according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the microneedle shown in FIG.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the microstructure 10 includes a base film 100 and a microneedle 200 .

[0037] The base film 100 is a thin film provided with a predetermined width. The base film 100 may be provided in a circular or polygonal shape.

[0038] A plurality of microneedles 200 are formed on one surface of the base film 100, and are provided in a structure capable of penetrating the skin and being self-interlocking. The microneedles 200 include a needle body 210 and a supporting wing 250.

[0039] The needle body 210 protrudes from one surface of the base film 100 at a predetermined height. Specifically, the needle body 210 has first to third regions 211 to 213. The first region 211 is a region that is connected to one surface of the base film 100 and has a first width w1. The second region 212 extends from the first region 211 and the width gradually increases as it moves away from the first region 211. The maximum width of the cross section of the second region 212 has a second width w2 that is larger than the first width w1. The third region 213 extends from the second region 212 and the width gradually decreases toward its end. The end of the third region 213 forms a pointed tip. The connecting region 215 where the second region 212 and the third region 213 are connected is provided with a curved outer circumferential surface.

[0040] The support wings 250 are formed in a plurality of thin wings and are spaced apart from one another along the periphery of the needle body 210. The support wings 250 may be arranged to have the same included angle with the needle body 210 as the center. The support wings 250 may be arranged to be symmetrical with respect to one another with the needle body 210 as the center. In this embodiment, an example in which four support wings 250 are formed and arranged to have an included angle of 90 degrees with the needle body 210 as the reference will be described. However, the number and arrangement of the support wings 250 are not limited thereto and can be changed in various ways.

[0041] The support wing 250 connects the outer surface of the needle body 210 to the base film 100. The support wing 250 gradually decreases in thickness as it moves away from the center of the needle body 210, and gradually increases in thickness from the upper end to the lower end connected to the base film 100. As a result, the support wing 250 may have a triangular cross section.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the support wing 250 may be provided in the section between the second region 212 and the first region 211. That is, the upper end of the support wing 250 is located at the same height as the maximum width region of the second region 212, and the lower end is connected to the base film 100. Also, the connection region 251 where the lower end of the support wing 250 is connected to the base film 100 may have an end located on the same line as the outer edge portion of the maximum width of the second region 212 when viewed from above.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the optimized size of the microneedle according to the embodiment of FIG.

[0044] 3, the height of the needle body 210 may be 10 μm to 2,000 μm, the height h2 of the second region 212 may be 5 μm to 1,995 μm, and the height h3 of the third region 213 may be 5 μm to 1,995 μm. The length w1 in the width direction of the first region 212 may be 1 μm to 750 μm, and the maximum width w2 in the width direction of the second region 212 may be 1.1 μm to 900 μm. The width w3 in the width direction of the intermediate region from the second region 212 to the end portion of the third region 213 may be 0.1 μm to 500 μm. The tip angle θ of the third region 213 may be 10 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0045] The support blades 250 may have a height of 1 μm to 1,000 μm, and the width of the lower end 251 connected to the base film 100 may be 0.1 μm to 750 μm. The width from the end of one support blade 250 to the end of another support blade 250 located on the opposite side of the support body 210 may be 1.1 μm to 1,500 μm.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a microstructure according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the microneedle shown in FIG.

[0047] 4 and 5, the support wing 250 of the microstructure may be provided with a lower end length longer than that of the support wing 250 shown in FIG 2. Thus, the length of the region where the support wing 250 and the base film 100 are connected is provided to be longer than the maximum radius of the second region 212. In addition, the outer edge of the support wing 250 may extend at the same angle as the inclined surface of the third region 213.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] 6, an end of the region where the support wing 250 and the base film 100 are connected may be located inside the maximum width of the second region 212 when viewed from above. In addition, the outer edge of the support wing 250 may be formed to be inclined downward toward the inside so as to be adjacent to the central axis of the needle body 210 as it approaches the lower end.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 7, the upper end of the support wing 250 may be located lower than the maximum radius region of the second region 212 .

[0052] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] 8, the support wing 250 extends from the tip region of the needle body 210 and is connected to the base film 100. Thus, the height of the support wing 250 from the top to the bottom is the same as the height of the needle body 210. In addition, the length of the region where the support wing 250 and the base film 100 are connected is provided to be shorter than the maximum radius of the second region 212.

[0054] As discussed above, the support wings 250 can be made to have a variety of sizes and mating relationships with the needle body 210.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing a microstructure using a mold, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process of inserting a microstructure according to an embodiment of the present invention into skin.

[0056] 9 and 10, the support wings 250 increase the bonding strength between the needle body 210 and the base film 10. Therefore, in the process of separating the microstructure 10 from the mold 50, the needle body 210 can be stably separated without being damaged. In addition, in the process of pressing the base film 10 with the finger 60 to penetrate the needle body 210 into the skin 70, the support of the support wings 250 allows the needle body 210 to be stably inserted into the skin 70 without being damaged.

[0057] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] 11, in the needle body 210, the height h2 of the second region 212 is the same as the height h3 of the third region 213. Also, the support wing 250 is provided in the section between the second region 212 and the first region 211. According to the embodiment, the upper end of the support wing 250 is located lower than the maximum radius region of the second region 212. The end of the region where the support wing 250 and the base film 100 are connected protrudes outside the maximum radius region of the second region 212 when viewed from above.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a microneedle according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] 12, the second region 212 of the needle body 210 is formed to have a greater height than the third region 213. As a result, the third region 213 has a greater tip angle than the third region 213 of the needle body 210 shown in FIG.

[0061] The microstructures described in Figs. 1 to 12 are provided such that the heights of the maximum radius regions of the second region 212 of the needle body 210 are different from each other. The height of the maximum radius region of the second region 212 described in Figs. 1 to 10 is provided lower than the height of the third region 213, the height of the maximum radius region of the second region 212 described in Fig. 11 is provided equal to the height of the third region 213, and the height of the maximum radius region of the second region 212 described in Fig. 12 is provided higher than the height of the third region 213. Such different heights of the maximum radius regions of the second region 212 are proportional to the depth of the skin layer that the microneedle 200 can interlock with, so that the drug can be released in accordance with the target skin layer.

[0062] 13 and 14 are diagrams illustrating various shapes of needle bodies according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0063] 13, the third regions 213a-213d of the needle body 210 may be provided in various shapes and sizes, such as a cone, a triangular pyramid, a square pyramid, a pentagonal pyramid, etc. Such various shapes of the needle body 210 can be selected according to the amount and pattern of the drug to be delivered.

[0064] 14, unlike the needle body of Fig. 13 in which the second regions 212a-212d and the third regions 213a-213d are connected at a predetermined angle, the needle body of Fig. 14 may have fillets 214a-214d formed in the connecting regions between the second regions 212a-212d and the third regions 213a-213d. The fillets 214a-214d connect the second regions 212a-212d and the third regions 213a-213d of the needle body with a curved surface.

[0065] 15 is a diagram showing a needle body and a base film according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the support wings not shown for ease of illustration.

[0066] 15, in the first region 211 where the needle body 210 and the base film are connected, a fillet 211a may be formed along the periphery of the needle body 210. The fillet 211a reinforces the connection region between the needle body 210 and the base film 100, and can improve the strength of the microneedle 200 together with the support wing 250 described above.

[0067] 16 is a cross-sectional view of support wings according to various embodiments of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, the support wings 250 formed on one side of the first region 211 of the support body 210 will be referred to as the first support wings 250a, and the support wings 250 formed on the other side will be referred to as the second support wings 250b.

[0068] The cross section of the first and second support wings 250a, 250b may have various shapes and sizes. According to an embodiment, the cross section of the first and second support wings 250a, 250b may be triangular, rectangular, or pentagonal. The shape and size of the first and second support wings 250a, 250b may be selected according to the skin insertion site, such as the thickness of the skin layer, the hardness of the skin layer, etc.

[0069] According to one example, the first and second support wings 250a, 250b may be symmetrical with respect to the first region 211.

[0070] According to another example, as shown in (c), the first and second support wings 250a, 250b may be asymmetric with respect to the first region 211. Specifically, the second support wings 250b may be thicker than the first support wings 250q. This is because, during the process of the microstructure 10 being separated from the mold 50 or inserted into the skin 70, one of the support wings 250b is formed thicker than the other support wings 250a depending on the direction of the load applied to the needle body 210, thereby stably supporting the needle body 210.

[0071] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of support wings according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 17, a minimum of two or more support wings 250 may be provided depending on the shape and size of the needle body 210, and various numbers of support wings 250 may be arranged radially around the needle body 210.

[0073] Fig. 18 is an image showing a microstructure and a microneedle produced according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a process of penetrating a microstructure according to an embodiment of the present invention into the skin to inject a drug, and Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a process of penetrating a microstructure according to a comparative example into the skin to inject a drug. A conical microneedle is used as the microstructure 20 according to the comparative example.

[0074] 18 and 19, the shape of the needle body 210 and the support wings 250 according to the embodiment of the present invention allow the microneedle 200 to be inserted so that the base film 100 is in close contact with the skin 70. In addition, since the microneedle 200 is interlocked with the skin 70, the microstructure 10 can stably maintain a close contact state with the skin. It can be confirmed that the drug penetrates the skin and the microstructure 10 is completely decomposed about 30 minutes after the microstructure 10 is inserted.

[0075] 20, the conical microneedles have a weak penetration power into the skin 70, and the penetrated state, i.e., interlocking, is not stably maintained, so the base film does not completely adhere to the skin. Therefore, even after 30 minutes have passed, the microstructure 20 has the microneedles and base film remaining as they are, and it can be seen that the skin penetration efficiency of the drug is low.

[0076] FIG. 21 shows a microstructure and its microneedle fabricated according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Referring to Figure 21, the base film and the microneedles may be made of the same material. (A) shows a microstructure in which the base film and the microneedles are made of hyaluronic acid, and (B) shows a microstructure in which the base film and the microneedles are made by mixing a blue dye with hyaluronic acid. By this method, a microstructure can be manufactured so that the drug is loaded on the entire area of ​​the base film and the microneedles.

[0078] FIG. 22 shows a microstructure and its microneedle produced according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 22, the base film and the microneedle may be made of different materials. If the base film is loaded with a drug, the drug may not be delivered to the skin, in which case selective drug loading of the microneedle may be required. The drug may be loaded on the entire microneedle or on the tip portion. The microneedle shown in FIG. 22 has a blue dye loaded on the tip portion. In this manner, selective drug loading of the microneedle on the tip portion is possible.

[0080] FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of a microneedle produced according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] Although the present invention has been described in detail above using the preferred embodiment, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the specific embodiment, but should be interpreted by the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that a person having ordinary knowledge in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0082] The microstructures according to the invention can be used in medical and dermocosmetic applications.

Claims

1. A base film; A plurality of microneedles formed on one surface of the base film, The microneedle is A needle body; a plurality of support wings arranged around the needle body, connecting an outer surface of the needle body and the base film, the support wings having a thickness thinner than that of the needle body; The needle body is A first region coupled to the base film; a second region extending from the first region and gradually increasing in width as it extends away from the first region; a third region extending from the second region and gradually decreasing in width toward an end thereof; Each of the support wings is a microstructure provided in an area between the first region and the second region.

2. The microstructure of claim 1 , wherein the support wings are symmetrical about a center of the needle body.

3. The microstructure of claim 1 , wherein the support wings have a gradually decreasing thickness away from the center of the needle body.

4. The microstructure according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the region where the support wing and the base film are connected is located inside the maximum radius region of the second region when viewed from above.

5. The microstructure according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the region where the support wing and the base film are connected is located on the same line as the maximum radius region of the second region when viewed from above.

6. The microstructure according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the region where the support wing and the base film are connected is located outside the second region and the maximum radius region when viewed from above.

7. The microstructure according to claim 1 , wherein a connecting region between the second region and the third region has an outer circumferential surface formed by a curved surface.

8. A base film, A plurality of microneedles formed on one surface of the base film, The microneedle is A needle body; a plurality of support wings arranged around the needle body, connecting an outer surface of the needle body and the base film, the support wings having a thickness thinner than that of the needle body; The needle body is A first region coupled to the base film; a second region extending from the first region and gradually increasing in width as it extends away from the first region; a third region extending from the second region and gradually decreasing in width toward an end thereof; Each of the support wings is a microstructure extending downward from an end of the third region and connected to the base film.

9. The microstructure according to claim 8 , wherein a connection region where the support wing and the base film are connected is larger than a maximum radius of the second region.

10. The support blade is a first support wing (250) located on one side of the needle body; a second support wing located on the opposite side of the first support wing with respect to the needle body, The microstructure of claim 1 , wherein the first support wing and the second support wing have different thicknesses.

11. The microstructure of claim 1 , wherein the support wing has a thickness that gradually increases from its upper end to its lower end adjacent the base film.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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