Magnetic Microneedle Patch with Force-Calibrated Tractive System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microneedle patches face challenges in maintaining a stable position in the skin for extended periods due to inconsistent adhesive forces, skin compression, and reduced capillary blood flow caused by magnetic attraction.
Innovation Solution
The development of microneedle patches with a magnetic tractive counterpart that maintains a constant attractive force sufficient to hold the microneedles in place without compressing the skin and reducing perfusion, utilizing shear forces and controlled magnetic field strength to achieve this.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a magnetic tractive counterpart is used to hold microneedles in place, then microneedle position stability is improved, but skin perfusion is reduced due to compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the magnetic field strength to generate a specific force range (0.1-0.8 N/cm²) that is sufficient to hold microneedles in place while remaining below the threshold that would compress skin and reduce perfusion. This quantitative parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between stability and perfusion maintenance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive backing is used to mount microneedles, then microneedle array stability is improved, but force consistency deteriorates due to tangential force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical adhesive backing system with a magnetic field-based tractive force system. This substitution eliminates the tangential force distribution problem inherent in adhesive systems, as magnetic forces can be uniformly distributed across the microneedle array while acting normal to the skin surface, thereby improving force consistency while maintaining stability.
3Reliability
If magnetic force is increased to hold microneedles securely, then microneedle position stability is improved, but skin compression increases reducing capillary blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing and maintaining the magnetic force within a precise range (0.1-0.8 N/cm²). This parameter optimization ensures sufficient microneedle stabilization while preventing skin compression that would reduce capillary blood flow and impair drug delivery efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
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 solution effectively maintains microneedle position and functionality by ensuring capillary blood flow is not compromised, allowing for efficient drug delivery with pressures below 0.8 N/cm2, thus overcoming previous issues of skin compression and perfusion reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a microneedle patch including a plurality of drug-loaded microneedles mounted on a backing comprising a ferromagnetic material; and a tractive counterpart comprising a permanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
the exploitation of shear forces provided by microneedles oriented perpendicular to gravitational force
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are devices and methods for transdermal delivery of drugs into the systemic circulation, including a drug-loaded microneedle patch and a force-calibrated tractive counterpart. The tractive counterpart provides a force that is calibrated to hold the microneedles in the skin but not to impair capillary perfusion. Embodiments are described that comprise two microneedle patches, e.g., wherein the microneedles of one such patch are staggered with reference to the other patch, and wherein the weight of the patches is controlled to allow the device to remain in place despite movement of the subject who wears it.