Micro-needle Patch with Porous Particles for Transdermal Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hypodermic injection needles cause pain and require a high skill level for use, while existing micro-needle technologies for transdermal drug delivery are complex and lack process consistency for effective substance application.
Innovation Solution
A micro-needle patch with biocompatible matrices and porous particles, where the biocompatible matrix contains bio-derived substances and porous particles with controlled porosity for optimal drug delivery, minimizing pain and skill requirements, and enabling efficient transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical and cosmetic substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hypodermic injection needles are used for drug delivery, then effective drug delivery is achieved, but pain and high skill requirement occur
Solution Approach 1:
The single large-bore hypodermic needle is segmented into multiple micro-needles (typically 50-150 micrometers in diameter) arranged in an array. This segmentation allows the device to penetrate the stratum corneum and deliver drugs through multiple small channels simultaneously, achieving effective transdermal delivery while minimizing pain and tissue damage associated with single large needle punctures.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle diameter parameter is dramatically reduced from millimeter scale (hypodermic) to micrometer scale (micro-needle). This parameter change enables the needle to bypass the pain-sensitive nerve endings in the epidermis while still penetrating the stratum corneum barrier, thereby maintaining drug delivery effectiveness while eliminating pain.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional micro-needle devices are used for transdermal delivery, then pain is reduced, but device complexity and lack of process consistency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-needles are merged with a flexible adhesive patch substrate to form an integrated transdermal delivery system. The micro-needles are embedded in or attached to the patch, which provides structural support, adhesive properties for skin attachment, and a reservoir for drug loading. This merging simplifies the overall device structure compared to standalone micro-needle arrays requiring separate mounting and drug delivery mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch-type micro-needle device combines multiple functions: the patch substrate provides structural support and adhesion, the micro-needles provide penetration and drug delivery channels, and the integrated design allows for drug reservoir, controlled release, and skin attachment all in one device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system.
3Manufacturing precision
If micro-needles with fine structure are fabricated, then transdermal delivery capability is achieved, but process consistency for effective substance application becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-needle structure incorporates porous materials or porous tips that facilitate drug loading and controlled release. The porous structure provides high surface area for drug adsorption, controlled porosity for regulated drug diffusion, and maintains mechanical integrity despite the fine micro-needle dimensions. This standardized porous structure can be replicated consistently in manufacturing while maintaining the required fine geometric features for effective skin penetration.
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 micro-needle patch allows for pain-free, low-skill transdermal delivery of substances with controlled release kinetics, enhancing user convenience and maintaining cosmetic or medical effects over an extended period.
Implementation Method 1
porous particles provided at at least a portion of a surface or the interior of the biocompatible matrix
Implementation Method 2
The biocompatible matrix contains a bio-derived soluble substance
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided are micro-needles 20 and a micro-needle patch for transdermal delivery of a pharmaceutical, medical, or cosmetic substance. The micro-needle may include a biocompatible matrix 20N having a micro-needle-like shape; and porous particles 20P provided at at least a portion of a surface or the interior of the biocompatible matrix.