Adhesive Member Rigidity for Microneedle Patch Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microneedle arrays experience floating due to skin elasticity and contraction, leading to inadequate drug delivery and stability issues when applied without proper skin tension.
Innovation Solution
An adhesive member with a specific rigidity of 1.3 MPa•mm 4< or more is used to securely fix the microneedle array to the skin, preventing floating and ensuring stable puncture and drug administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the microneedle array is applied without stretching the skin, then the application process is simple, but the microneedle array floats due to skin elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive member is designed with preliminary counteracting rigidity to oppose the skin's elastic recoil force before the microneedle array can float. The rigidity value of 1.3 MPa•mm⁴ or more is specifically engineered to preemptively balance the skin's tendency to return to its original state after stretching, thereby preventing floating without requiring complex application procedures.
2Productivity
If tension is applied to the skin to improve puncturability, then microneedle puncture effectiveness is enhanced, but the skin shrinks more remarkably causing the microneedle array to float up
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive member functions as a counterweight system where its rigidity (≥1.3 MPa•mm⁴) balances the skin's shrinkage force that occurs after tension is released. This counteracting rigidity prevents the microneedle array from floating up despite the skin's remarkable shrinking motion, allowing effective puncture to be maintained without compromising fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the rigidity parameter of the adhesive member to a specific threshold (1.3 MPa•mm⁴ or more) that optimizes the balance between allowing skin tension for puncture effectiveness and preventing floating during skin shrinkage. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient structural resistance to skin recoil while maintaining puncture capability.
3Reliability
If the adhesive member has high rigidity to prevent floating, then fixation stability is improved, but puncturability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention identifies and establishes a critical rigidity threshold of 1.3 MPa•mm⁴ for the adhesive member. This specific parameter value provides the minimum necessary rigidity to prevent floating while remaining low enough to allow effective microneedle puncture. By precisely controlling the rigidity parameter at this threshold, both fixation stability and puncturability are optimized without mutual compromise.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of the adhesive member with appropriate rigidity enhances the fixability and puncturability of microneedles, maintaining their position on the skin and ensuring quantitative drug delivery regardless of skin elasticity or contraction.
Implementation Method 1
the elasticity of the skin causes the microneedle array to float
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive member having an appropriate rigidity
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3(a)~5(g)
Figure 6(a)~6(c)
AI summary
The present invention chiefly aims at providing a new patch which is excellent in the fixability to the skin, regarding the patch carrying a microneedle array. The present invention, for example, can include a patch in which a microneedle array is carried on a surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-side of an adhesive member which is characterized in setting up a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one surface of a support and in having a rigidity of 1.3 MPa•mm4 or more, the adhesive member thereof, and the like. The patch or the like of the present invention is useful for pharmaceuticals and the like because the puncturability of microneedle is improved, and a microneedle array can be firmly fixed to the skin, and drugs can be quantitatively administered without waste.