Painless lymph-targeted drug delivery patch

Abstract

The present invention provides a painless lymph-targeted drug delivery patch comprising: a patch part having one side attached to a skin surface and having multiple through-holes through which a drug passes; multiple microneedle parts arranged along a pattern configured on one side of the patch part to inject the drug while being inserted into the skin; a drug chamber provided on the other side of the patch part to supply the drug to the microneedle parts through the through-holes; and an adsorption part provided on the other side of the patch part to selectively form negative pressure on the other side surface of the patch part or the skin surface.

Description

Lymphatic targeted painless drug delivery patch

[0001] The present invention relates to a lymphatic targeted painless drug delivery patch capable of injecting a large amount of drug without pain when delivering the drug to the lymphatic system.

[0002] In general, drug administration through the vascular system is relatively straightforward. The vascular system is characterized by its relatively robust structure, high visibility (due to the color of blood), and the large diameter blood vessels located in the epidermis, making them easily accessible by needle. Therefore, direct injection of large volumes, such as contrast agents for vascular diagnosis or drugs for blood circulation, is possible. This remains the most widely used clinical method to this day.

[0003] In contrast, the lymphatic system is colorless and transparent, and is structurally composed of very thin and fine tissues. Because most lymphatic vessels near the epidermis have a diameter of less than 1 mm, drugs cannot be injected in the same way as the blood vessels. Therefore, near-infrared lymphangiography (NIRF-ICG lymphangiography), which examines lymphatic drainage by injecting fluorescent contrast agents, or lymphoscintigraphy, which injects nuclear medicine contrast agents, involves injecting drugs into the interstitial tissue space between the fingers or toes. The injected drugs are absorbed by the lymphatic capillaries within the interstitial tissue and enter the lymphatic vessels.

[0004] However, when large doses of drugs are injected subcutaneously, significant pain can occur due to the pressure of the drug's volume, as well as the pain caused by the internal tissue conditions and the drug's other properties. Lymphatic movement and absorption are generally much slower than those of the vascular system, so the patient's pain is bound to be significant. Furthermore, the limited number of micro-lymphatic vessels in the area where the drug is injected also hinders drug delivery efficiency.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve such problems, and more specifically, to provide a lymphatic target painless drug delivery patch that can inject a large amount of drug painlessly into the lymphatic system using a plurality of microneedles.

[0006] The objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a lymphatic target analgesic drug delivery patch comprising: a patch part having one side attached to a skin surface and having a plurality of holes formed therein to allow a drug to pass through; a plurality of microneedle parts arranged along a pattern set on one side of the patch part and inserted into the skin to inject a drug; a drug chamber provided on the other side of the patch part to supply a drug to the microneedle part through the holes; and an adsorption part provided on the other side of the patch part to selectively form a negative pressure on the other side of the patch part or on the skin surface.

[0008] The above micro needle portion may include a wrinkle pattern formed in multiple numbers so as to be wavy inwardly on the outer surface along the longitudinal direction to induce a capillary phenomenon.

[0009] The micro needle portion can be inserted with its tip from the skin surface to the adjacent lymphatic system.

[0010] The plurality of micro needle portions include first micro needles and second micro needles, and each micro needle is arranged to have the same width on one side of the patch portion, and the gap between the first micro needles and the second micro needles can be formed to be the same as the width.

[0011] The above microneedle portion may be formed such that the width of each microneedle is in the range of 180 to 250 μm, and the height of each microneedle is in the range of 500 to 650 μm.

[0012] The above micro needle portion can be arranged in a range of 380 to 700 in the above patch portion of unit size.

[0013] The above patch portion may include a drug passage formed with a pattern set on one side to deliver a drug passing through the hole to the periphery of the microneedle portion, and an adhesive layer that attaches one side to the skin surface.

[0014] The above drug chamber and adsorption unit may be made of an elastic material whose external shape can be flexibly deformed.

[0015] The above microneedle portion may overlap along the length of at least one of the drug channels on one side of the patch.

[0016] When the above patch portion is attached so as to be in close contact with the skin surface, the drug discharged from the drug chamber can pass through the hole and move along the drug passage and be injected into the skin through a predetermined gap formed between the microneedle portion and the dermal layer.

[0017] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0018] According to the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0019] First, it can deliver large amounts of drugs to the lymphatic system.

[0020] Second, it can minimize the pain associated with the drug delivery process.

[0021] Third, safety can be ensured by manufacturing it as a disposable drug patch.

[0022] Fourth, unlike conventional microneedles that can only be used percutaneously, it is effective in lymphatic system diagnosis.

[0023] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0024] The above summary, as well as the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present application described below, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, preferred embodiments are depicted in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise arrangements and means illustrated.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a fluorescent contrast agent is administered and near-infrared lymphography is performed through a lymph target painless drug delivery patch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch shown in Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch shown in Figure 1.

[0028] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the AA' region of the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch shown in Figure 2.

[0029] Figure 5 is a reference diagram showing a state in which a drug is injected by pressurizing a drug chamber in the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch shown in Figure 3.

[0030] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch shown in Figure 4.

[0031] Figure 7 is a plan view showing one side of the patch portion of the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch shown in Figure 2.

[0032] Figure 8 is a reference diagram showing a state in which a drug is injected into the lymphatic system through the lymphatic target painless drug delivery shown in Figure 2.

[0033] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them, will become clear with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0034] The present invention can have various modifications and embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated and described in the drawings.

[0035] However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0036] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms.

[0037] The above terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0038] For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second component may be referred to as the first component, and similarly, the first component may also be referred to as the second component.

[0039] The term and / or includes any combination of a plurality of related described items or any one of a plurality of related described items.

[0040] When it is said that a component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there may also be other components in between.

[0041] On the other hand, when it is said that a component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0042] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0043] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0044] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a fluorescent contrast agent is administered and near-infrared lymphography is performed through a lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a lymphatic target analgesic drug delivery patch (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention can inject a drug into interstitial tissue and thereby inject the drug into lymphatic tissue in a painless manner. The lymphatic target analgesic drug delivery patch (100) of the present invention can be applied to administering contrast agents for lymphatic system diagnosis and to drug treatment using the lymphatic system.

[0048] This lymph target painless drug delivery patch (100) may include a patch portion (110), a microneedle portion (120), a drug chamber (130), and an adsorption portion (140).

[0049] First, the patch portion (110) may be formed in a thin plate shape, and a microneedle portion (120) may be provided on one side, and a drug chamber (130) may be provided on the other side. One side of the patch portion (110) may be attached to the user's skin. The patch portion (110) may be formed in a flexible film structure. The patch portion (110) may have a plurality of through holes (111) formed through one side and the other side, so that a drug may be delivered from the drug chamber (130) toward the microneedle portion (120).

[0050] Additionally, the microneedle portion (120) may be composed of multiple microneedles. The microneedle portion (120) may penetrate the skin surface and be inserted into the lymphatic system during the process of attaching the patch portion (110) to the skin. Each microneedle may have a circular cross-section and a triangular longitudinal cross-section. For example, each microneedle may have a cone shape. Of course, the shape of the microneedle is not limited thereto, and the cross-section may be formed into an elliptical, star, moon, crescent, or polygonal shape.

[0051] In addition, the drug chamber (130) may be formed with a storage space (131) in which a liquid drug to be administered therein can be temporarily stored. The drug can be injected into the drug chamber (130) through a separate syringe (not shown) or another drug injection means (not shown). The drug chamber (130) and the adsorption unit (140) may be formed of an elastic material whose external shape can be elastically deformed. That is, the volume of the drug chamber (130) and the adsorption unit (140) can be reduced or increased depending on the pressure.

[0052] And, the absorption part (140) is arranged on one side of the patch part (110), and an absorption space (141) is formed inside, and a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure can be formed between the patch part (110) and the skin surface (S) in the process of the patch part (110) being attached to the skin surface. Of course, since the absorption part (140) is made of an elastic material, the moment the patch part (110) is in close contact with the skin surface, it is compressed to form a negative pressure between the patch part (110) and the skin surface, thereby allowing the drug to be smoothly supplied from the microneedle part (120) toward the inside of the skin. In addition, the absorption part (140) may have a function of trapping the drug so that the drug does not escape to the outside between the patch part (110) and the skin surface.

[0053] Although not shown in the drawing, the adsorption part (140) may be provided on the other side of the patch part (110). For example, the adsorption part (140) may be placed inside the drug chamber (130). In this case, when the user pressurizes the drug chamber (130), the adsorption part (140) is pressed, and at this time, the adsorption part (140) vacuum-absorbs the other side of the patch part (110) attached so as to be in close contact with the skin surface, and this pressure is transmitted as is to the skin surface, so that negative pressure may be formed on the skin surface to which the patch part (110) is attached.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the AA' region of the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch (100) shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a reference view showing a state in which a drug is injected by pressurizing the drug chamber (130) in the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch (100) shown in FIG. 3.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lymphatic target analgesic drug delivery patch (100) of the present invention can have a microneedle portion (120) inserted through the skin surface to the lymphatic system location during the process of attaching the patch portion (110) to the skin surface (S). During the process of inserting the microneedle portion (120) through the skin surface, a predetermined gap (G) can be formed between the microneedle portion (120) and the dermal layer.

[0056] Additionally, the patch portion (110) may include a through hole (111) and a drug passage (112).

[0057] A plurality of through holes (111) are formed to penetrate from one side of the patch portion (110) to the other side, and may be formed in an area adjacent to the microneedle portion (120). The through holes (111) may have a circular cross-section. Although not shown in the drawing, the through holes (111) may have a tapered shape in which the diameter becomes narrower from one side of the patch portion (110) to the other side. In this case, when the diameters are formed differently along the height direction of the through holes (111), the drug delivery effect due to the pressure difference can proceed more quickly, and there is an advantage in that the drug can be smoothly delivered in the direction of the drug passage (112) without external pressure according to the capillary phenomenon.

[0058] And, the drug passage (112) can be formed on one side of the patch portion (110) in a set pattern. For example, one drug passage (112) can have a cross-section formed in a triangle shape. Of course, the shape of the drug passage (112) is not limited thereto. The drug passage (112) can serve as a path for the drug to move along a valley formed between one triangular prism and another adjacent triangular prism when triangular prisms of the same shape are arranged side by side in the same direction.

[0059] That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the drug that has passed through the hole (111) from the drug chamber (130) moves along the drug passage (112) between the patch portion (110) and the skin surface, and in the process of moving along the drug passage (112), the drug can be injected toward the lymphatic system through a predetermined gap (G) formed between the dermal layer and the area where the microneedle portion (120) has pierced the skin surface and been inserted.

[0060] Of course, the drug inside the drug chamber (130) can be injected without external pressure by a capillary phenomenon occurring at a predetermined gap (G) between the microneedle portion (120) and the dermal layer.

[0061] In addition, the drug chamber (130) and the adsorption unit (140) may be made of an elastic material whose external shape can be flexibly deformed. The internal pressure of the drug chamber (130) may increase when a drug is injected through a separate syringe or drug injection means. The increased pressure or the pressure generated when the drug chamber (130) is filled with the drug may increase the speed at which the drug is absorbed into the body. In addition, the negative pressure generated when the adsorption unit (140) is attached to the skin may increase the drug injection speed together with the capillary phenomenon because it provides a negative pressure to the predetermined gap between the hole (111), the drug passage (112), or the microneedle unit (120) and the dermis layer.

[0062] In addition, the microneedle portion (120) may include a plurality of wrinkle patterns (121) formed inwardly from the outer surface along the longitudinal direction to induce a capillary phenomenon. The wrinkle patterns (121) may form a groove of a predetermined depth from the outer surface of the microneedle portion (120). Accordingly, the drug may be smoothly injected into the body along the wrinkle patterns (121) of the microneedle portion (120).

[0063] At this time, the microneedle portion (120) may be positioned to overlap at least one drug passage (112) on one side of the patch portion (110). That is, the microneedle portion (120) may be positioned on the drug passage (112) to receive the drug from the drug passage (112) and inject the drug through the periphery of the microneedle portion (120).

[0064] The shape, size, or ratio of the patch portion (110) and the micro needle and drug chamber (130) shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be exaggerated to some extent for explanation.

[0065] Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch (100) shown in Fig. 4.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 6, the microneedle portion (120) may include a plurality of microneedles. Here, the width of each microneedle may be formed in the range of 180 to 250 μm. More preferably, the width of the most adjacent region of each microneedle on the patch portion (110) may be formed to be approximately 210 μm.

[0067] Additionally, the height of each microneedle may be formed in a range of 500 to 650 μm. More preferably, each microneedle may be formed with a maximum height of approximately 515 μm from the patch portion (110).

[0068] Additionally, the microneedle portion (120) may be provided with 380 to 700 microneedles per unit-sized patch portion (110). More preferably, the optimal drug injection effect can be achieved when the microneedles are provided in the range of 500 to 550.

[0069] These parameters according to the size of the microneedles are the results of multiple tests, and if the width, height, or number of the microneedles increases beyond the set range, pain increases, and if the width, height, or number of the microneedles decreases beyond the set range, the amount of drug injected may be significantly reduced.

[0070] Additionally, the patch portion (110) may include an adhesive layer (113) that attaches one side to the skin surface. For example, the adhesive layer (113) may be applied with an adhesive or adhesive tape. The adhesive layer (113) may be positioned to correspond to the triangular prism mountain of the drug passage (112).

[0071] When an adhesive layer (113) is provided on the patch portion (110), the drug leakage to the outside of the drug passage (112) can be reduced, thereby preventing the drug from sticking to the skin surface where it is not injected, and thus allowing the drug to be injected solely into the inside of the skin. In addition, since the adhesive layer (113) brings the drug passage (112) and the skin surface into close contact, the negative pressure of the absorption portion (140) can be used more effectively.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing one side of the lymph target analgesic drug delivery patch (100) shown in FIG. 2.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 7, the plurality of micro needle portions (120) may include a first micro needle (121) and a second micro needle (122).

[0074] The first micro needle (121) and the second micro needle (122) are arranged to have the same width on one side of the patch portion (110), and the gap between the first micro needle (121) and the second micro needle (122) can be formed to be the same as the largest width of each micro needle.

[0075] Additionally, each microneedle may be positioned to overlap along the length of at least one drug passage (112) on one side of the patch portion (110).

[0076] In addition, it is preferable that the micro needle portion (120) and the hole (111) be positioned in an inner region rather than the border region of the drug chamber (130) when viewed on a plane.

[0077] Figure 8 is a reference diagram showing a state in which a drug is injected into the lymphatic system through the lymph target painless drug delivery patch shown in Figure 2.

[0078] Referring to Figure 8, it can be confirmed that a fluorescent contrast agent can be injected into lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes through angiography. In addition to angiography, ICG (indocyainie green) imaging can be used for perfusion imaging, anatomical imaging, liver function studies, and cardiac output determination, and can utilize a harmless fluorescent agent.

[0079] Of course, the lymphatic-targeted painless drug delivery patch of the present invention can be applied to both diagnostic and therapeutic methods targeting the lymphatic system. Due to the nature of the lymphatic system, existing injection-based methods have the disadvantage of causing pain to patients and inefficient drug delivery. However, the lymphatic-targeted painless drug delivery patch of the present invention has the effect of dramatically resolving this issue. Furthermore, unlike conventional microneedles that can only be used transdermally, it has the advantage of expanding the scope of application and being applicable to the diagnosis of lymphatic diseases, which have been a major inconvenience to patients.

[0080] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above to illustrate the technical concepts of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the configuration and operation of the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, such modifications should be considered within the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A patch portion in which one side is attached to the skin surface and multiple holes are formed to allow the drug to pass through; A micro needle part that is inserted into the skin and injects a drug by being arranged in multiple numbers according to a pattern set on one side of the above patch part; A drug chamber provided on the other side of the above patch portion to supply a drug to the microneedle portion through the above hole; and An adsorption part provided on the other side of the patch part to selectively form negative pressure on the other side of the patch part or on the skin surface; Lymphatic targeted analgesic drug delivery patch comprising:

2. In paragraph 1, The above micro needle part, A lymphatic targeting painless drug delivery patch comprising a wrinkle pattern formed in multiple directions from the outer surface along the longitudinal direction to the inner surface to induce capillary action.

3. In paragraph 1, The above micro needle part, A lymphatic targeted painless drug delivery patch having a tip inserted from the above skin surface to an adjacent lymphatic vessel.

4. In paragraph 1, The plurality of micro needle portions include first micro needles and second micro needles, and each micro needle is arranged to have the same width on one side of the patch portion. A lymphatic target painless drug delivery patch in which the gap between the first micro needle and the second micro needle is formed to be the same as the width.

5. In paragraph 4, The above micro needle part, The width of each microneedle is formed in the range of 180 to 250 μm, A lymphatic targeted painless drug delivery patch in which each microneedle has a height in the range of 500 to 650 μm.

6. In paragraph 4, The above micro needle part, A lymph target painless drug delivery patch having 380 to 700 patches arranged in the above-mentioned unit-sized patch section.

7. In paragraph 1, The above patch part, A drug passage formed in a pattern set on one side to deliver a drug passing through the hole to the periphery of the microneedle portion, A lymphatic targeted analgesic drug delivery patch comprising an adhesive layer attached to one side of a skin surface.

8. In paragraph 7, The above drug chamber and adsorption unit, A lymphatic target painless drug delivery patch made of an elastic material with an elastic shape that can be flexibly deformed.

9. In paragraph 7, The above micro needle part, A lymphatic target analgesic drug delivery patch arranged to overlap along the length of at least one of the drug channels on one side of the patch portion.

10. In paragraph 7, When the above patch is attached so as to adhere closely to the skin surface, A lymphatic target painless drug delivery patch in which a drug discharged from the drug chamber passes through the hole and moves along the drug passage and is injected into the skin through a predetermined gap formed between the microneedle portion and the dermal layer.

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