Convex Blade Microneedle for Reliable Skin Puncture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microneedle devices, especially those made of plastic, deform when pressed against the skin, leading to unreliable skin puncture and ineffective drug administration.
Innovation Solution
A puncture device with a basal portion and multiple blade portions, where each blade portion has a thin shape and a convex distal end, allowing for reliable skin penetration and drug administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If microneedles are made from plastic to enable noninvasive drug administration, then the device can be manufactured with fine distal ends, but the distal end deforms when pressed against the skin leading to failure in puncturing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the puncture element by transitioning from a needle shape with a fine distal end to a blade shape with a convex distal end portion. This parameter change in shape and structure prevents deformation during skin contact while maintaining the ability to achieve reliable puncture, resolving the contradiction between manufacturability of fine ends and reliability of puncture.
2Manufacturing precision
If microneedles have a needle shape with a fine distal end, then they can be formed with precise geometry, but they deform when pressed against the skin causing puncture failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the puncture element from a needle shape with a fine tip to a blade shape with a convex distal end portion. This geometric transformation maintains manufacturing precision while eliminating the deformation problem that occurs with needle-shaped microneedles during skin contact.
3Reliability
If blade portions are made thin to reduce deformation, then they can cut the skin effectively, but they may be more difficult to manufacture with precise shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the geometric parameters of the blade portions by providing a convex distal end portion with specific curvature and angle parameters. This parameter optimization enables the thin blade to cut the skin effectively while remaining manufacturable with precise shapes using conventional manufacturing techniques.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A device includes a basal portion (12) and a plurality of blade portions (16A) disposed on the basal portion (12). The blade portion (16A) has a thin shape, and a distal end portion of the blade portion has a convex shape.