Wearable microneedle device

Abstract

The objective is to provide a wearable microneedle device that can be flexibly adapted to the shape and application of the attachment site, and in which the amount of needle protrusion can also 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 on which the plurality of needles 16 are configured to penetrate and protrude from the base sheet portion 14, and which is attached to the palm or fingertip so that the needles 16 penetrate the skin of that area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a micro needle device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a micro needle device has been used for transdermal administration of drugs, beauty, acupuncture stimulation, etc. by puncturing a fine needle (micro needle) into the surface of the skin.

[0003] Conventional micro needle devices have various configurations such as patch-shaped, roller-shaped, stamp-shaped, etc. However, many of them have a fixed shape and lack structural flexibility, and do not fit well with the shape of the wearing site and the treatment site. In addition, the length and protrusion amount of the needles are fixed, making it difficult to flexibly adjust according to the user's purpose and body part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wearable micro needle device that can flexibly respond to the shape and use of the wearing site and the treatment site, and can also adjust the protrusion amount of the needles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The wearable micro needle device according to the present invention A wearable microneedle device that is attached to the palm of the practitioner's hand and used to insert multiple microneedles into the skin of the person being treated, has an adhesive sheet portion having an adhesive layer that can be attached to the palm, At least one sheet is laminated on the aforementioned adhesive sheet portion. a base sheet portion, Multiple microneedles and and is provided with The plurality of microneedles are each held by an independent adhesive piece and positioned between the adhesive sheet portion and the base sheet portion, with their tips penetrating the base sheet portion and protruding toward the person being treated, and the tips of the microneedles not protruding toward the adhesive sheet portion. wherein the base sheet portion One or more base sheet sections with the same configuration can be stacked and laminated, and the protruding length of the fine needles protruding from the outermost surface of the base sheet section is changed according to the number of stacked base sheet sections. is characterized by

[0007] Furthermore, in the wearable microneedle device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the base sheet portion has a variable portion in which the amount of protrusion of the plurality of needles varies according to the thickness of the base sheet.

[0008] Furthermore, 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] Furthermore, in the wearable microneedle device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the base sheet portion is formed of a flexible resin material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a microneedle device with excellent wearability and adhesion is provided, as it can be attached closely to curved areas such as the palm of the hand using a flexible base sheet, and can also flexibly deform to conform to curved treatment areas. Furthermore, the amount of needle protrusion can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the base sheet, allowing the intensity and depth of treatment to be optimized according to the user and application. In addition, the arrangement of multiple needles in a matrix allows for adjustment of the treatment area and selective stimulation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a wearable microneedle device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing a wearable microneedle device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state attached to the palm of the hand. [Figure 3] This figure shows a modified configuration of a wearable microneedle device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements in all drawings, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In addition, in the descriptions within the text, 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. Figure 1(a) is a plan view of the wearable microneedle device 10, (b) is a perspective view, and (c) is a side cross-sectional view.

[0014] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the wearable microneedle device 10 of the present invention in a state attached to the palm of the hand. When using the device, the adhesive sheet portion 12 of the wearable microneedle device 10 is positioned on a predetermined area of ​​the palm and lightly pressed, causing multiple needles 16 to be evenly inserted into the skin surface.

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

[0016] The wearable microneedle device 10 comprises a plurality of needles 16, a flexible base sheet portion 14 for holding these needles 16, and an adhesive sheet portion 12 laminated on the base sheet portion 14. The plurality of needles 16 are arranged to penetrate the base sheet portion 14 and protrude in one direction. By attaching the wearable microneedle device 10 to the palm of the practitioner's hand, the needles 16 protrude outward, and the treatment is performed by applying the tips of the needles to the skin of the person being treated.

[0017] The sticking sheet part 12 is composed of a flexible sheet having adhesiveness, and can be directly adhered to the skin surface such as the palm or finger pulp of the user. Due to this adhesiveness, the wearable micro-needle device 10 can be stably worn, and displacement and peeling during use can be prevented. The needle 16 protrudes outside the device, and when the operator wears this device, by pressing the needle 16 against the skin of the treatment subject, treatments such as fine stimulation can be performed.

[0018] The base material sheet part 14 has a variable-thickness structure for adjusting the protruding amount of the needle 16, and thereby it is possible to appropriately control the piercing depth of the needle 16 into the skin. Specifically, by stacking one or a plurality of base material sheet parts 14 on the sticking sheet part 12, the overall thickness can be adjusted.

[0019] For example, when the thickness of the base material sheet part 14 is 1 mm, stacking one sheet can shorten the protruding amount of the needle 16 by 1 mm, and stacking two sheets can shorten it by 2 mm. Thus, stepwise depth adjustment is possible according to the purpose of the user and the treatment site. In addition, the plurality of needles 16 are dispersedly arranged on the base material sheet part 14 in a regular matrix shape or an arbitrary pattern according to the site, enabling a flexible design of the treatment area according to the purpose.

[0020] The base material sheet part 14 is formed of a material such as silicon, polyurethane, or thermoplastic elastomer, which is flexible and has excellent adhesion to the skin of the operator (e.g., palm) and the treatment site. It is difficult to interfere with the movement of the fingers during wearing, and it realizes a comfortable wearing feeling that naturally follows delicate and quick treatment operations.

[0021] In the configuration example of the wearable micro-needle device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sticking sheet part 12 is formed in a substantially square shape, and the base material sheet part 14 is integrally laminated. Between the sticking sheet part 12 and the base material sheet part 14, a plurality of needles 16 (nine needles 16 in FIGS. 1 and 2) arranged at regular intervals protrude through the base material sheet part 14, and it is possible to give precise stimulation to the skin of the treatment subject.

[0022] Because the wearable microneedle device 10 is lightweight and flexible, it can be easily fitted by the user to curved surfaces such as the palm of the hand, and a stable adhesive state can be maintained.

[0023] The needles 16 are microneedles made of metal or high-strength polymer manufactured using microfabrication technology, and typically have a length of about 0.3 to 0.9 mm. These needles 16 employ a so-called intradermal needle structure and are held in place by individual small adhesive sheets, and are arranged at equal intervals between the adhesive sheet portion 12 and the base sheet portion 14.

[0024] Each needle is independent and designed to penetrate the skin evenly and reliably. The tips are smoothly polished, minimizing pain and skin irritation during insertion while still providing sufficient stimulation.

[0025] The thickness of the base sheet portion 14 is designed in conjunction with the effective protrusion length of the needle, and is optimized so that the needle 16 penetrates the skin to a uniform depth. Furthermore, by devising the composition of the base material, it is possible to add cushioning and elastic restorative force against external forces, and reduce the burden on the skin caused by movement while wearing it.

[0026] Next, the effects of the wearable microneedle device 10 with the above configuration will be explained. Conventional microneedle devices did not have a structure that fit the palm of the practitioner or the treatment site to which they were attached, resulting in problems such as uneven insertion, discomfort during operation, and difficulty in obtaining sufficient treatment effects.

[0027] To address these issues, the wearable microneedle device 10 according to the present invention has a base sheet portion 14 with high flexibility, and a structure that flexibly conforms to the area to be attached, such as the palm of the practitioner's hand. This results in a configuration that allows the needle 16 to be stably pressed against the skin of the person being treated, and offers excellent treatment operability.

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

[0029] Furthermore, by creating a variable structure that partially changes the thickness of the base sheet portion 14, it becomes possible to adjust the amount of needle protrusion, i.e., the insertion depth, allowing for optimal treatment settings according to the user's skin type, area characteristics, and purpose (stimulation, drug introduction, cosmetic treatment, etc.). This allows for individual optimization of the balance between safety and effectiveness, and supports personalized treatments.

[0030] Furthermore, because multiple needles 16 can be arranged in a matrix or any arbitrary pattern, flexible treatment designs are possible depending on the target area and application, ranging 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 of narrow areas.

[0031] In addition, the 16 needles feature a dimensional design that easily avoids pain nerves and a smooth tip, reducing the risk of pain and bleeding. This makes them suitable not only for use in medical settings but also for self-care by general consumers for cosmetic purposes.

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

[0033] With this configuration, the wearable microneedle device 10 allows users to easily perform treatments simply by pressing the device against their skin, without requiring any special skills or auxiliary tools. Because it is easy to operate, it can be widely applied not only by medical professionals but also in self-care settings and cosmetic clinics.

[0034] In addition, the physical stimulation from inserting the 16 needles can be expected to have a combination of cosmetic and therapeutic effects, such as promoting collagen production and activating cell turnover.

[0035] Figure 3 shows the configuration of a wearable microneedle device 11, which is a modified example of the wearable microneedle device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the wearable microneedle device 11, and (b) is a cross-sectional view thereof.

[0036] Furthermore, the needle 17 is held in place by a flexible adhesive sheet, allowing for a consistent range of motion in the insertion angle and direction. This ensures a proper fit and uniform treatment effect, even when the application site has curved or uneven surfaces.

[0037] Furthermore, the needle 17 has an integrated structure in which nine needles are integrally arranged on a single flexible adhesive sheet, and each needle is attached in a fixed position. On the other hand, the needles 16 used in the device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 employ an individual intradermal needle structure, with nine needles independently arranged in a line on the base sheet portion 14.

[0038] This structure allows the needles 16 to be individually inserted into the skin, making them suitable for localized pressure stimulation, while the needles 17, with their integrated support structure, offer high uniformity and stability during application, making them suitable for use in applications requiring wide-area and uniform stimulation.

[0039] The wearable microneedle device according to the present invention is not only suitable for manual application but is also designed with future mass production in mind, considering its application to manufacturing processes. Specifically, it enables integrated product manufacturing through processes such as integrally fixing needles onto a flexible sheet using an automated placement device, and integrated molding technology combining adhesive technology and injection molding technology. Such expandability and scalability in manufacturing are extremely important features in the industrial applicability of the present invention.

[0040] Furthermore, in response to consumers' growing awareness of hygiene, the devices of the present invention are often designed as disposable, employing low-cost material selection and molding technologies. For example, by introducing environmentally friendly bioplastics and recyclable components, it becomes possible to provide sustainable medical and cosmetic products.

[0041] Furthermore, by integrating with ICT technology, it is envisioned that the microneedle device will be configured to sense treatment history, application pressure, and treatment time, and to link with external devices such as smartphones. Thus, the device of the present invention has high potential for future development in the field of smart healthcare. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10,11 Wearable microneedle device, 12 Adhesive sheet part, 14 Base sheet part, 16,17 Needle.

Claims

[Claim 1] A wearable microneedle device that is attached to the palm of the practitioner and used to insert multiple fine needles into the skin of the person being treated, A sheet portion having an adhesive layer that can be attached to the palm of the hand, At least one base sheet portion laminated onto the adhesive sheet portion, Equipped with multiple micro-needles, The plurality of microneedles are each held by an independent adhesive piece and positioned between the adhesive sheet portion and the base sheet portion, with their tips penetrating the base sheet portion and protruding toward the person being treated, and the tips of the microneedles not protruding toward the adhesive sheet portion. The aforementioned base sheet portion can be laminated by stacking one or more base sheet portions of the same configuration, and the protruding length of the fine needles protruding from the outermost surface of the base sheet portion is changed according to the number of laminated base sheet portions, characterized in that the wearable microneedle device.

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