DIFFUSION PROMOTORS AND ION INFUSION SYSTEMS
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- VN · VN
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CYSAY INC
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing transdermal drug administration methods, such as those using microneedles, suffer from inefficient diffusion of active ingredients beneath the epithelium and potential overflow of liquid agents, leading to suboptimal absorption.
A diffusion promotion device and iontophoresis system that utilizes a compact configuration with electrodes and a battery unit to generate an electric current, promoting the diffusion of active ingredients through the skin via microneedles or porous members, forming a current path to enhance iontophoresis.
Efficiently diffuses active ingredients beneath the skin surface using a simple operation, minimizing overflow and leveraging iontophoresis for enhanced absorption, even with spilled liquid.
Smart Images
Figure VN1202603592_0
Abstract
Description
Diffusion promotion device and iontophoresis system
[0001] The present invention relates to a diffusion enhancement device and an iontophoresis system.
[0002] Transdermal administration of drugs and the like has been widely practiced for some time. As a technique for transdermal administration of drugs and the like, a technique has been proposed in which fine needles called "microneedles" are used to eject a fixed amount of liquid through a microneedle having a through-hole formed therein in response to the operation of a switch mechanism such as a knock-type switch (see Patent Document 1; hereinafter referred to as "Prior Art 1"). According to the technique of Prior Art 1, a liquid agent can be supplied to a desired position on the surface layer of the epithelium (for example, the surface of the skin or the stratum corneum) with a simple operation.
[0003] In addition, a technology has been proposed for an epithelial patch sheet in which microneedles are formed from a water-soluble polymer that dissolves in the body and an active ingredient that is a physiologically active substance, and a plurality of such microneedles are arranged (see Patent Document 2; hereinafter referred to as "Prior Art 2"). In the technology of Prior Art 2, the epithelial patch sheet is applied to the epithelial surface, and the physiologically active substance can be administered subepithelially by dissolving the microneedles.
[0004] JP 2023-094304 A Patent No. 6505210 A
[0005] In the techniques of Conventional Examples 1 and 2, the diffusion of the administered active ingredient under the epithelium is left to the mechanism of the subject itself to which it is administered, and therefore there is room for technical improvement from the viewpoint of efficient diffusion of the active ingredient under the epithelium.
[0006] Furthermore, with the technology of Conventional Example 1, the liquid agent ejected through the microneedle may overflow onto the epithelial surface. Most of the overflowing liquid agent is dispersed into the atmosphere due to drying or the like. Therefore, there is room for technical improvement from the viewpoint of efficient diffusion of the active ingredient under the epithelium.
[0007] The same room for such technical improvement exists when a liquid formulation containing an active ingredient is applied to the epithelial surface and the diffusion of the active ingredient beneath the epithelium is left to the subject's own percutaneous absorption mechanism.
[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a diffusion promotion device and iontophoresis system that have a compact configuration and can promote the diffusion of an active ingredient contained in a supplied liquid preparation below the surface.
[0009] The diffusion promotion device of the present invention is a diffusion promotion device that has a storage space formed therein to store a liquid agent supply device that supplies a liquid agent to a surface layer of an object, and that generates an electric current that promotes diffusion of an active ingredient in the liquid agent beneath the surface layer of the object, the liquid agent supply device comprising: a shaft portion in which a liquid agent storage space that stores the liquid agent is formed along a first direction; and a liquid agent supply portion that is disposed at a first end of the shaft portion in the first direction and supplies the liquid agent stored in the liquid agent storage space to the object; and the diffusion promotion device comprises a first cylindrical member that extends along a third direction that is parallel to the first direction when the liquid agent supply device is stored, and that has a first storage space formed therein to store a predetermined portion of the liquid agent supply device on a second direction side that is opposite to the first direction; a second cylindrical member disposed on the third direction side of the first cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member having a first through opening formed therein that allows the liquid agent supply portion to pass through along the third direction but prevents the shaft portion from passing through along the third direction, and a second storage space formed therein that stores a predetermined portion of the liquid agent supply device on the first direction side; a first electrode used to promote diffusion of the active ingredient; a second electrode that forms a current path between the first electrode and the second electrode and passes through a surface portion of the target object when the diffusion of the active ingredient is being promoted; and a battery unit that generates a predetermined potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the storage space is formed by the first storage space and the second storage space.
[0010] In this diffusion-promoting device, when a liquid is supplied or being supplied to the surface of a target object from a liquid supply unit of a liquid supply device housed in an internal storage space, a current path is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode through the surface of the target object, promoting diffusion of the active ingredient contained in the liquid beneath the surface of the target object. That is, the iontophoresis effect promotes diffusion of the liquid beneath the surface of the target object. Note that, for example, the liquid applicator disclosed in Conventional Example 1 can be suitably used as the liquid supply device.
[0011] Therefore, the diffusion promoting device of the present invention can promote the diffusion of an active ingredient contained in a liquid preparation supplied to a target object beneath the surface of the target object with a compact configuration.
[0012] In the diffusion promotion device of the present invention, the liquid supply unit may be provided with a plurality of microneedles at its end on the first direction side, each having a through-hole formed therein and communicating with the liquid storage space, and the diffusion promotion device may promote the diffusion of an active ingredient contained in the liquid supplied to the surface layer of the subject using the plurality of microneedles beneath the surface layer of the subject. In this case, the active ingredient contained in the liquid supplied to the surface layer of the subject using the microneedles of the liquid supply unit can be efficiently diffused beneath the surface layer of the subject. Note that even if the liquid is ejected onto the surface layer of the subject via the microneedles but spills onto the surface, if the subject is capable of transsurface absorption, such as through epithelium, the effect of iontophoresis can promote the diffusion of the active ingredient contained in the spilled liquid beneath the surface layer.
[0013] When the microneedle is disposed in the liquid agent supply unit in this manner, the liquid agent supply device may include: a first depression member disposed at the end on the second direction side; and a liquid agent extrusion unit disposed within the shaft portion and configured to extrude the liquid agent from the liquid agent storage space toward the liquid agent supply unit in response to pressing of the first depression member in the first direction; wherein the liquid agent is supplied to the object by being ejected from the tip end of the microneedle protruding out of the second cylindrical member through the first through-hole in response to pressing of the first depression member in the first direction. In this case, by a simple operation of pressing the liquid agent supply unit against the surface of the object and pressing the first depression member in the first direction, the liquid agent can be supplied to the surface of the object from the tip end of the microneedle protruding out of the second cylindrical member through the first through-hole.
[0014] Here, a second through-hole through which the shaft portion can pass along the third direction is formed at the end of the first cylindrical member on the fourth direction side opposite the third direction, and a second depression member insertable into and removable from the internal space of the first cylindrical member via the second through-hole. The second depression member transmits a pressing force corresponding to pressing of the second depression member in the third direction to the first depression member of the liquid drug supply device stored in the storage space. In this case, when the second depression member is pressed, a pressing force corresponding to the pressing force is transmitted to the first depression member. As a result, the liquid drug is supplied to the surface of the target object from the tip of the microneedle protruding out of the second cylindrical member through the first through-hole. Therefore, by simply pressing the second depression member, the liquid drug can be supplied to the surface of the target object from the tip of the microneedle protruding out of the second cylindrical member through the first through-hole.
[0015] The diffusion facilitation device may further include an elastic member disposed in the second storage space, biasing the liquid agent supply device housed in the diffusion facilitation device along the fourth direction and stretchable along the fourth direction, wherein the elastic member biases the liquid agent supply device to be housed in the storage space when the liquid agent is not being supplied to the target object. In this case, the entire liquid agent supply device can be automatically housed in the storage space when the liquid agent is not being supplied to the target object, so that the end of the liquid agent supply portion of the liquid agent supply device on the first direction side can be protected without any special operation when the liquid agent is not being supplied to the target object.
[0016] Furthermore, in the diffusion promotion device of the present invention, the liquid agent supply unit may be arranged at the end on the first direction side and include a porous member that absorbs and retains the liquid agent, and the liquid agent is supplied to the object by pressing the porous member against the surface of the object, and the diffusion promotion device may promote the diffusion of an active ingredient contained in the liquid agent supplied to the surface of the object by pressing the porous member against the object. In this case, the liquid agent is supplied to the surface of the object by the simple operation of pressing the porous member soaked in the liquid agent against the object. Then, the iontophoresis effect promotes the diffusion of the active ingredient below the surface of the object.
[0017] In the diffusion facilitation device of the present invention, the first electrode may be formed on at least a portion of the surface of the side of the first cylindrical member. The second electrode may be formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the end of the second cylindrical member facing the third direction. In this case, for example, when a person is the administration target, the side of the diffusion facilitation device is held by the person's palm and at least one finger (e.g., four fingers excluding the thumb) or multiple fingers (e.g., the thumb and at least one finger other than the finger pressing against the pressing member 130) so that the first electrode is in contact with the epithelial surface of the administration site of the liquid formulation, thereby promoting diffusion of the active ingredient under the epithelium at the administration site.
[0018] In the diffusion facilitation device of the present invention, the second cylindrical member may be detachably attached to the end of the first cylindrical member on the third direction side. In this case, with the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member separated, the liquid agent supply device can be inserted into the first storage space from the end of the first cylindrical member on the third direction side, and then the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member can be joined to store the liquid agent supply device in the storage space within the diffusion facilitation device.
[0019] From a second perspective, the present invention is an iontophoresis system comprising: the diffusion promotion device of the present invention; and a liquid agent supply device; wherein the liquid agent supply device comprises: a shaft portion having a liquid agent storage space formed along a first direction for storing a liquid agent; and a liquid agent supply portion disposed at a first end of the shaft portion in the first direction, for supplying the liquid agent stored in the liquid agent storage space to the target object.
[0020] In this iontophoresis system, when a liquid is supplied or being supplied to a subject from a liquid supply unit of a liquid supply device housed in a storage space within the diffusion promoting device, a current path is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode through a surface portion of the subject, and the diffusion of an active ingredient contained in the liquid beneath the surface of the subject is promoted by the iontophoresis effect. Therefore, the iontophoresis system of the present invention can supply a liquid containing an active ingredient to a subject and promote the diffusion of the active ingredient contained in the supplied liquid beneath the surface of the subject with a compact configuration.
[0021] The diffusion promoting device of the present invention has a compact configuration and can promote the diffusion of an active ingredient contained in a liquid formulation supplied to a subject beneath the surface of the subject. Furthermore, the iontophoresis system of the present invention has a compact configuration and can supply a liquid formulation containing an active ingredient to a subject and promote the diffusion of the active ingredient contained in the supplied liquid formulation beneath the surface of the subject.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of an iontophoresis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the liquid agent supply device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view (X-Z cross-sectional view) illustrating the internal configuration of the +Z direction side (tip side) of the liquid agent supply device of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a change in the positional relationship between elements of the liquid agent supply device in response to a knocking operation (depressing operation (pressing operation)) on the liquid agent supply device of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (part 1: X-Z cross-sectional view) illustrating the internal configuration of the diffusion facilitation device of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (part 2: Y-Z cross-sectional view) illustrating the internal configuration of the diffusion facilitation device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a change in the positional relationship between the diffusion facilitation device and the liquid agent supply device in response to a pressing operation on the diffusion facilitation device of FIG. 1.
[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the following description and drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. In all drawings except for Figure 6, the dimensions, aspect ratios, etc. of each element have been appropriately changed for ease of viewing.
[0024] [Configuration] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an iontophoresis system 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the iontophoresis system 300 includes a diffusion facilitation device 100 and a liquid formulation supply device 200. The iontophoresis system 300 of this embodiment is a system that performs iontophoresis of an active ingredient contained in a liquid formulation onto a human subject. The diffusion facilitation device 100 is one embodiment of the diffusion facilitation device according to the present invention.
[0025] 1 , the diffusion facilitation device 100 includes a first cylindrical member 110, a second cylindrical member 120 disposed on the +Z direction (first direction, third direction) side of the first cylindrical member 110, and a pressing member 130 disposed at the end of the first cylindrical member 110 on the −Z direction (second direction, fourth direction) side. A liquid agent supply device 200 can be housed in the internal space of the diffusion facilitation device 100 formed by the first cylindrical member 110 and the second cylindrical member 120.
[0026] Here, the second cylindrical member 120 is detachable from the first cylindrical member 110. To make it detachable in this manner, for example, a portion of the inner surface of the end portion on the +Z direction side of the first cylindrical member 110 and an outer surface of the end portion on the −Z direction side of the second cylindrical member 120 are formed with matable female and male threads.
[0027] The diffusion promotion device 100 is sized so that it can be easily held by a person's palm and at least one finger (e.g., four fingers excluding the thumb), or by multiple fingers (e.g., the thumb and at least one finger other than the finger that presses against the pressing member 130).
[0028] 1, a first electrode 1151 is formed on the side surface on the −X direction side of the first cylindrical member 110. Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 1, a first electrode 1152 is formed on the side surface on the +X direction side of the first cylindrical member 110. When promoting the diffusion of an active ingredient of a liquid formulation (described below) under the epithelium, at least a part of the part gripping the diffusion facilitation device 100 is brought into contact with at least one of the first electrode 1151 and the first electrode 1152.
[0029] 1, a first through hole OP1 is formed at the end on the +Z direction side of the second cylindrical member 120. A second electrode 125 is formed around the first through hole OP1 at the end on the +Z direction side of the second cylindrical member 120.
[0030] Here, when promoting the diffusion of the active ingredient of the liquid formulation beneath the epithelium, the surface of the second electrode 125 on the +Z direction side is pressed against the epithelial surface at the site where the liquid formulation is injected. Therefore, when promoting the diffusion, a current path for a weak current passing beneath the surface layer of the epithelium is formed between the second electrode 125 and at least one of the first electrode 115 and the first electrode 115.
[0031] The first cylindrical member 110 and the second cylindrical member 120 are made of an insulating material, such as reinforced plastic, which is easy to mold.
[0032] The internal structure of the diffusion promoting device 100 will be described in detail later.
[0033] <Configuration of Liquid Agent Supply Device 200> In this embodiment, a device configured similarly to the liquid applicator disclosed in Conventional Example 1 is used as the liquid agent supply device 200.
[0034] 2, the liquid drug supplying device 200 includes a shaft portion 210 and a liquid drug supplying portion 220. The liquid drug supplying device 200 also includes a knocking portion 230.
[0035] The shaft portion 210 is a hollow cylindrical member made of reinforced plastic, at least a portion of which is optically transparent. As shown in Figure 2, the shaft portion 210 has a large diameter portion 211 disposed on the -Z direction side and a small diameter portion 212 disposed on the +Z direction side of the large diameter portion 211.
[0036] A detachable liquid supply unit 220 is disposed at the end of the shaft 210 in the +Z direction. This liquid supply unit 220 is also a hollow tubular member made of reinforced plastic, and at least a portion of it is optically transparent. The internal space of this liquid supply unit 220 communicates with the internal space of the shaft 210 when the liquid supply is possible (see FIG. 3 ). As will be described later, a liquid storage space LS is formed by a portion of the internal space of the shaft 210 on the +Z direction side and the internal space of the liquid supply unit 220.
[0037] A plurality of truncated cone-shaped microneedles 225 are arranged at the end of the liquid agent supply unit 220 on the +Z direction side. At least some of these microneedles have through-holes that connect the liquid agent supply unit 220 to the outside. The liquid agent is discharged to the outside through the through-holes.
[0038] Knocking portion 230 is disposed at the end of shaft portion 210 on the −Z direction side. When the −Z direction end of knocking portion 230 is pressed in the +Z direction, knocking portion 230 is pressed in the +Z direction, and knocking portion 230 moves in the +Z direction. In response to this movement of knocking portion 230 in the +Z direction, the liquid agent contained in liquid agent containing space LS is ejected via the through-hole formed in microneedle 225 described above.
[0039] When the pressing operation ends after pressing the end of the knock portion 230 on the −Z direction side in the +Z direction, the knock portion 230 returns to the Z position it was in before the pressing started.
[0040] The internal space of the shaft portion 210 accommodates a liquid agent extruding portion 240 that is used to eject the liquid agent from the through-hole of the microneedle 225. The liquid agent extruding portion 240 includes a constant amount moving portion 241 disposed on the −Z direction side of the shaft portion 210, a shaft 242, and a piston 243.
[0041] The quantitative movement unit 241 is adapted to receive a pressing force resulting from a knocking operation on the knock unit 230. When receiving such a pressing force, the quantitative movement unit 241 advances the shaft 242 by a certain amount in the +Z direction, similar to a known knock-type mechanical pencil, as disclosed in the prior art example 1.
[0042] It should be noted that the shaft 242 that has advanced a certain amount in response to the pressing operation on the knock portion 230 remains at the position where it has advanced a certain amount even after the pressing operation is terminated.
[0043] The piston 243 is disposed at the end of the shaft 242 on the +Z direction side. The piston 243 includes a cylindrical main body 246 whose side surface is in close contact with the inner wall of the shaft 210, and a protrusion 247 disposed on the +Z direction side of the main body 246. The protrusion 247 has a smaller diameter than the main body 246 and is shaped like a truncated cone whose outer diameter gradually decreases along the +Z direction.
[0044] At least the portion of the main body 246 that comes into contact with the inner wall of the shaft 210 is made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber.
[0045] 3 is a schematic XZ cross-sectional view of the +Z direction side portion of solution supplying device 200. As shown in Fig. 3, in the internal space of shaft portion 210, piston 243 is movable within the internal space of large diameter portion 211, but when the +Z direction end of main body portion 246 reaches the +Z direction end of the internal space of large diameter portion 211, piston 243 is no longer able to move further along the +Z direction. As described above, piston 243 moves along the +Z direction in response to the pressure of knock portion 230.
[0046] As clearly shown in FIG. 3 , a liquid agent containing space LS is formed by the portion of the internal space of the shaft portion 210 on the +Z direction side of the piston 243 and the internal space of the liquid agent supply portion 220 .
[0047] 4 shows the movement of piston 243 in response to the pressing operation on knock portion 230. Before this pressing operation, piston 243 was in the Z direction position shown in FIG.
[0048] 4(A), when the knock portion 230 is pressed once, the shaft 242 moves a certain amount d1 in the +Z direction, as shown in FIG. 4(B). Then, the piston 243 pushed by the shaft 242 moves a certain amount d1 in the +Z direction. As a result, an amount of the liquid corresponding to the certain amount d1 in the liquid storage space LS is ejected to the outside through the through-hole formed in the microneedle 225.
[0049] When the pressure on knock portion 230 shown in Fig. 4(B) is released, the Z position of knock portion 230 returns to the same position as in Fig. 4(A), as shown in Fig. 4(C). Meanwhile, the Z position of piston 243 remains in the position shown in Fig. 4(B).
[0050] <Liquid Agent Storing in the Liquid Agent Storage Space LS> Here, the liquid agent stored in the liquid agent storage space LS will be described.
[0051] The liquid agent contained in the liquid agent storage space LS may be, for example, an aqueous solution containing, as the main component (active ingredient), a culture supernatant powder of stem cells selected from the group consisting of non-human mammalian dental pulp stem cells, bone marrow stem cells, and adipose stem cells. The liquid agent contained in the liquid agent storage space LS is not limited to these, and any aqueous solution containing an active ingredient whose physiological activity is suitable for the desired cosmetic purpose may be used. The stem cells may also be those into which a specific gene set has been introduced by a known method.
[0052] In this embodiment, the active ingredient in the liquid preparation is assumed to be negatively ionized.
[0053] <Internal Configuration of Diffusion Facilitation Device 100> Next, the internal configuration of the diffusion facilitation device 100 will be described.
[0054] 5 and 6 show the internal configuration of the diffusion promoting device 100. Here, Fig. 5 is an XZ cross-sectional view including the axis AX (see Fig. 1), and Fig. 6 is a YZ cross-sectional view including the axis AX.
[0055] 5 and 6, storage spaces CS1 to CS3 are formed inside the diffusion promoting device 100. Here, the storage spaces CS1 and CS3 are storage spaces formed by the first cylindrical member 110, and the storage space CS2 is a storage space formed by the second cylindrical member 120.
[0056] The storage space CS1 and the storage space CS2 are in communication with each other, and the storage space CS formed by the storage space CS1 and the storage space CS2 accommodates the solution supply device 200. The storage space CS3 accommodates the battery unit 190. The storage space CS3 is substantially isolated from the storage space CS by the internal partition of the first cylindrical member 110.
[0057] Small holes (not shown) for electrical wiring are appropriately formed in the internal partition wall, the outer wall and internal partition wall of the first cylindrical member 110, and the outer wall of the second cylindrical member 120. Electrical wiring passing through some of these small holes electrically connects the anode of the battery unit 190 directly or indirectly to the first electrodes 115 and 115, and also electrically connects the cathode of the battery unit 190 directly or indirectly to the second electrode 125.
[0058] In this embodiment, the battery unit 190 is a rechargeable battery unit. Electrical wiring between the battery unit 190 and a connector (not shown) for receiving external power used for charging is also conducted through some of the small holes described above.
[0059] A first through-hole OP1 is formed at the end on the −Z direction side of the second cylindrical member 120, through which the liquid agent supply portion 220 of the above-described liquid agent supply device 200 can pass to the outside along the Z direction but which cannot be passed by the shaft portion 210. In addition, a second through-hole OP2 is formed at the end on the −Z direction of the first cylindrical member 110, which connects the storage space CS1 with the outside and through which the liquid agent supply device 200 can pass along the Z direction.
[0060] The pressing member 130 has the same diameter as the second through hole OP2 of the first cylindrical member 110, and is insertable into and removable from the storage space CS via the second through hole OP2. When the +Z direction portion of the pressing member 130 is inserted into the storage space CS, the pressing member 130 engages with the inner wall of the first cylindrical member 110 in a manner that allows it to move along the Z direction within the storage space CS. Here, the pressing member 130 is configured to come into contact with the end face on the −Z direction side of the knock portion 230 of the stored solution supply device 200.
[0061] The solution supplying device 200 can be stored in the storage space CS by inserting the solution supplying device 200 into the storage space CS in the +Z direction through the second through-hole OP2 with the pressing member 130 removed, and then inserting the pressing member 130 into the storage space CS through the second through-hole OP2. Alternatively, with the first cylindrical member 110 and the second cylindrical member 120 separated, the solution supplying device 200 may be inserted into the storage space CS1 in the -Z direction from the end of the storage space CS1 on the +Z direction side, and then connecting the first cylindrical member 110 and the second cylindrical member 120, thereby storing the solution supplying device 200 in the storage space CS. In the latter case, the pressing member 130 may be inserted into the storage space CS at any timing.
[0062] An elastic member 123 is disposed in the storage space CS2, one end of which contacts or is connected to the inner wall surface of the end portion on the +Z direction side of the second cylindrical member 120, and the other end of which contacts the outer wall surface of the end portion on the +Z direction side of the large diameter portion 211 of the stored solution supply device 200. This elastic member 123 biases the stored solution supply device 200 in the −Z direction.
[0063] The elastic member 123 is configured to shorten in the Z direction in response to pressure applied to the pressing member 130 in the +Z direction until the tip of the microneedle 225, in which the through-hole is formed, protrudes outward through the first through-hole OP1, and then not shorten any further. A helical spring or the like can be used as the elastic member 123. The shortening amount of the Z direction length of the elastic member 123 in response to pressure applied to the pressing member 130 in the +Z direction when the solution supply device 200 is stored in the storage space CS is assumed to be a length d2 (see FIG. 7 ).
[0064] 7 shows a change in the positional relationship between the diffusion facilitation device 100 and the pressing member 130 in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member 130. Before this pressing, the positional relationship shown in FIG. 7(A) is assumed to be the same.
[0065] When the pressing member 130 is pressed once in the state shown in Fig. 7(A), the liquid agent supply device 200 first moves a length d2 along the +Z direction relative to the diffusion facilitation device 100, as shown in Fig. 7(B). Subsequently, when a pressing force corresponding to the pressing operation is transmitted to the knock portion 230 of the liquid agent supply device 200, the shaft 242 moves a fixed amount d1 along the +Z direction, as shown in Fig. 4(B) described above. Then, the piston 243 pressed by the shaft 242 moves a fixed amount d1 along the +Z direction. As a result, an amount of liquid agent corresponding to the fixed amount d1 in the liquid agent storage space LS is ejected to the outside through the through-hole formed in the microneedle 225.
[0066] If the pressing operation brings the epithelial surface of the area where diffusion facilitation device 100 is gripped into contact with first electrode 115 and / or 115, and if second electrode 125 is in contact with the epithelial surface of the area where the liquid is to be administered, a current path is formed between first electrode 115 and / or 115 and second electrode 125 via the epithelial surface layer, and a weak current is generated through this current path. In response to the weak current thus generated, the so-called iontophoresis effect promotes the diffusion of the active ingredient contained in the liquid beneath the epithelium.
[0067] When the pressure on the pressing member 130 shown in Fig. 7(B) is released, as shown in Fig. 7(C), the knock portion 230 returns to the same position as in the case shown in Fig. 4(A) described above, and the position of the liquid agent supply device 200 relative to the diffusion facilitation device 100 returns to the position shown in Fig. 7(A) due to the action of the biasing force of the elastic member 123 in the -Z direction. Also, the Z direction position of the pressing member 130 returns to the position shown in Fig. 7(A).
[0068] As described above, in the diffusion facilitation device 100 of this embodiment, when a liquid has been or is being supplied to a subject from the liquid supply unit 220 of the liquid supply device 200 housed in the internal storage space CS, a current path is formed between the first electrode 115 and / or 115 and the second electrode 125 through the subsurface layer of the epithelium of the subject (e.g., the surface of the skin or the stratum corneum), promoting diffusion of the active ingredient contained in the liquid beneath the surface layer of the subject. That is, the iontophoresis effect promotes diffusion of the liquid beneath the surface layer of the subject. Therefore, the diffusion facilitation device 100 can promote diffusion of the active ingredient contained in the supplied liquid beneath the surface layer of the subject with a compact configuration.
[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the active ingredient contained in the liquid supplied to the surface layer of the subject using the microneedles 225 of the liquid supply unit 220 can be efficiently diffused beneath the surface layer of the subject. Note that even if the liquid is supplied to the surface layer of the subject via the microneedles 225 but spills over onto the surface, if the subject is capable of transsurface absorption, such as epithelium, the effect of iontophoresis can be used to cause the active ingredient contained in the spilled liquid to diffuse beneath the surface layer.
[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by a simple operation of pressing the liquid supply unit 220 against the surface of the object while pressing the knock unit 230 in the +Z direction, the liquid can be supplied to below the surface of the object from the tip of the microneedle 225 that protrudes outside the second tubular member 120 through the first through hole OP1.
[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the pressing member 130 is pressed, a pressing force corresponding to the pressing is transmitted to the knock portion 230. As a result, the liquid agent is supplied to the surface layer of the object from the tip portion of the microneedle 225 that protrudes to the outside of the second cylindrical member 120 through the first through hole OP1. Therefore, by the simple operation of pressing the pressing member 130, the liquid agent can be supplied to the surface layer of the object from the tip portion of the microneedle 225 that protrudes to the outside of the second cylindrical member 120 through the first through hole OP1.
[0072] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when a liquid agent is not being supplied to a target object, the elastic member 123 biases the entire liquid agent supply device 200 to be stored in the storage space CS. Therefore, when no pressure is being applied to the pressing member 130, the entire liquid agent supply device 200 can be automatically stored in the storage space CS, and therefore, when a liquid agent is not being supplied to a target object, the microneedle 225 provided at the end of the liquid agent supply unit 220 of the liquid agent supply device 200 in the +Z direction can be protected without any special operation.
[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, first electrodes 115 and 115 are formed on the surface of the side of first cylindrical member 110, and second electrode 125 is formed on the outer surface of the end portion on the +Z direction side of second cylindrical member 120. Therefore, for example, when a person is the administration target, the side of diffusion facilitation device 100 is held by the person's palm and at least one finger (e.g., four fingers excluding the thumb) or multiple fingers (e.g., the thumb and at least one finger excluding the finger that presses against pressing member 130) in contact with first electrode 115 and / or 115, and second electrode 125 is brought into contact with the epithelial surface of the administration site of the liquid formulation, thereby promoting diffusion of the active ingredient below the epithelial surface layer at the delivery site.
[0074] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second cylindrical member 120 is detachably attached to the end portion on the +Z direction side of the first cylindrical member 110. Therefore, with the first cylindrical member 110 and the second cylindrical member 120 separated, the solution supplying device 200 can be inserted into the first storage space CS1 from the end portion on the +Z direction side of the first cylindrical member 110, and then the first cylindrical member 110 and the second cylindrical member 120 can be coupled together to store the solution supplying device 200 in the storage space CS.
[0075] The iontophoresis system 300 of this embodiment includes a diffusion facilitation device 100 and a liquid supply device 200. Therefore, when a liquid is supplied or being supplied from the liquid supply unit 220 of the liquid supply device 200 to a subject, a current path is formed between the first electrode 115 and / or 115 and the second electrode 125 via the surface portion of the subject, and the diffusion of an active ingredient contained in the liquid beneath the surface of the subject is promoted by the iontophoresis effect. That is, the iontophoresis system 300 of this embodiment has a compact configuration and can supply a liquid containing an active ingredient to a subject and promote the diffusion of the active ingredient contained in the supplied liquid beneath the surface of the subject.
[0076] [Modifications of the Embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.
[0077] For example, in the above embodiment, a liquid agent is supplied to a target object using microneedles. Alternatively, a porous member such as a sponge that absorbs the liquid agent may be used instead of the microneedles. In this case, the liquid agent is supplied to the surface of the target object by simply pressing the porous member soaked in the liquid agent against the target object. The iontophoresis effect then promotes the diffusion of the liquid agent beneath the target object's surface.
[0078] In the above embodiment, the electrical configuration of the diffusion facilitation device only describes the presence of a battery unit. However, the diffusion facilitation device may further include the battery unit, a switch element for switching between electrical connection and non-connection with the first electrode or the second electrode, a control element for turning the switch element on and off, a switch instruction input button for issuing an instruction to switch the switch element on and off to the control element, and a display element such as an LED for displaying the on / off state of the switch element.
[0079] The device may further include a control element and a display element that detect and display the remaining battery level.The device may further include a control element and a display element that detect and display the remaining amount of liquid.
[0080] In the above embodiment, the current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode is assumed to be a direct current, but the current may be a pulse current.
[0081] In the above embodiment, the surface of the second electrode on the +Z direction side is flat. Alternatively, the surface of the second electrode on the +Z direction side may be uneven (including cases where the convex portions are columnar). Here, columnar convex portions include cases where multiple columnar protrusions are formed to form a comb shape. By employing such a comb-shaped second electrode, for example, it is possible to preferably achieve iontophoresis of an active ingredient contained in a liquid supplied to the scalp where hair grows.
[0082] In the above embodiment, the active ingredient in the liquid formulation is assumed to be negatively ionized, and the anode and first electrodes of the battery unit are electrically connected directly or indirectly, and the cathode and second electrodes of the battery unit are electrically connected directly or indirectly. In contrast, if the active ingredient in the liquid formulation is positively ionized, the anode and second electrodes of the battery unit are electrically connected directly or indirectly, and the cathode and first electrodes of the battery unit are electrically connected directly or indirectly.
[0083] In addition, in the above embodiment, the subject of iontophoresis is a human, but the present invention may also be applied to iontophoresis of subjects other than a human.
[0084] The present invention can be used in the field of iontophoresis, which promotes the diffusion of an active ingredient contained in a liquid formulation beneath the surface of a target object.
[0085] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Diffusion promoting device 110 ... First cylindrical member 1151, 1152 ... First electrode 120 ... Second cylindrical member 123 ... Elastic member 125 ... Second electrode 130 ... Pressing member (second depressing operation member) 190 ... Battery unit 200 ... Liquid agent supply device 210 ... Shaft portion 211 ... Large diameter portion 212 ... Small diameter portion 220 ... Liquid agent supply portion 225 ... Microneedle 230 ... Knock portion (first depressing operation member) 240 ... Liquid agent extruding portion 241 ... Fixed amount moving portion 242 ... Shaft 243 ... Piston 246 ... Main body portion 247 ... Convex portion 300 ... Iontophoresis system CS ... Storage space CS1 ... First storage space (part of storage space CS) CS2 ... Second storage space (part of storage space CS) CS3 ... Third storage space LS ... Liquid agent storage space OP1 ... First through-hole OP2 ... Second through-hole
Claims
1. A diffusion promotion device having an internal storage space for storing a liquid drug supply device that supplies a liquid drug to a surface layer of an object, and generating an electric current for promoting diffusion of an active ingredient in the liquid drug beneath the surface layer of the object, wherein the liquid drug supply device comprises: a shaft portion having a liquid drug storage space formed along a first direction for storing the liquid drug; and a liquid drug supply portion disposed at a first end of the shaft portion in the first direction and supplying the liquid drug stored in the liquid drug storage space to the object; and the diffusion promotion device comprises: a first cylindrical member extending along a third direction parallel to the first direction when the liquid drug supply device is stored, and having a first storage space formed therein for storing a predetermined portion of the liquid drug supply device on a second direction side opposite to the first direction; and a second cylindrical member disposed on the third direction side of the first cylindrical member, having a first through hole formed therein through which the liquid drug supply portion can pass along the third direction but the shaft portion cannot pass along the third direction, and having a second storage space formed therein for storing a predetermined portion of the liquid drug supply device on the first direction side; a first electrode used to promote diffusion of the active ingredient; a second electrode that forms a current path between the first electrode and the second electrode via a surface portion of the object when the diffusion of the active ingredient is being promoted; and a battery unit that generates a predetermined potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the storage space is formed by the first storage space and the second storage space.
2. The diffusion promotion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid supply unit is provided with a plurality of microneedles at its end on the first direction side, the through holes being formed to communicate with the liquid storage space, and the diffusion promotion device utilizes the plurality of microneedles to promote diffusion beneath the surface of the object of an active ingredient contained in the liquid supplied to the surface of the object.
3. The liquid supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises: a first depression operation member arranged at the end on the second direction side; and a liquid extrusion section arranged within the shaft section and extruding the liquid within the liquid storage space towards the liquid supply section in response to pressing of the first depression operation member in the first direction; and wherein the liquid is supplied to the target object by being ejected from the tip of the microneedle protruding out of the second cylindrical member through the first through hole in response to pressing of the first depression operation member in the first direction.
4. The diffusion promotion device described in claim 3, characterized in that a second through opening is formed at an end of the first cylindrical member on the fourth direction side opposite to the third direction, through which the shaft portion can pass along the third direction, and the device further comprises a second depression operation member that can be inserted into and removed from the internal space of the first cylindrical member via the second through opening, and the second depression operation member transmits a pressing force corresponding to pressing of the second depression operation member in the third direction to the first depression operation member of the liquid agent supply device stored in the storage space.
5. A diffusion promotion device as described in claim 3, further comprising an elastic member disposed within the second storage space, which urges the liquid supply device stored in the diffusion promotion device along the fourth direction and is stretchable along the fourth direction, wherein the elastic member urges the entire liquid supply device to be stored within the storage space when the liquid is not being supplied to the target object.
6. The diffusion promotion device described in claim 1, characterized in that the liquid supply section is arranged at the end on the first direction side and has a porous member that absorbs and retains the liquid, the liquid is supplied to the object by pressing the porous member against the surface of the object, and the diffusion promotion device promotes diffusion under the surface of the object of an active ingredient contained in the liquid supplied to the surface of the object by pressing the porous member against the object.
7. A diffusion promotion device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first electrode is formed on at least a portion of the surface of the side of the first cylindrical member.
8. A diffusion promotion device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the second electrode is formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the end of the second cylindrical member facing the third direction.
9. A diffusion promotion device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the second cylindrical member is detachable from the end of the first cylindrical member facing the third direction.
10. An iontophoresis system comprising: the diffusion promotion device according to claim 1; and a liquid agent supply device, the liquid agent supply device comprising: an axis portion having a liquid agent storage space formed along a first direction for storing a liquid agent; and a liquid agent supply portion disposed at a first end portion of the axis portion in the first direction, for supplying the liquid agent stored in the liquid agent storage space to the subject.