Microarray Applicator Plunger Mechanism for Consistent Skin Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reproducibility of microarray insertion into human skin is challenging due to variability in user application and skin texture, affecting reliable drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
An applicator with a housing, plunger, retainer element, pressure element, and actuation element that ensures consistent and reproducible insertion of microarrays into the skin by applying a defined force through a sudden movement of the plunger, aided by a prestressed spring or elastic material, and optionally a fixation element for maintaining the microarray in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual application of microarray is performed, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of insertion depth and force is worsened due to variability in user application and skin texture
Solution Approach 1:
A plunger acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the user's manual actuation and the microarray. The plunger translates variable manual input into consistent, controlled insertion force and depth through its interaction with the pressure element and guide structure, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure element (spring or elastic material) stores and releases mechanical energy to standardize the insertion force parameter. By converting variable manual actuation into a controlled force profile through elastic deformation and recovery, the system achieves consistent insertion depth and force across different users and skin conditions.
2Reliability
If a defined force is applied through sudden plunger movement, then reliability of insertion is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure element is pre-compressed or pre-stressed during device assembly or prior to use. This preliminary action stores mechanical energy that is automatically released during insertion, providing the defined force needed for reliable microarray delivery without requiring complex control systems or multiple actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure element autonomously provides the insertion force through its elastic properties. The spring or elastic material self-regulates the force application through its deformation characteristics, eliminating the need for external force control mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the plunger is surrounded by the receiving surface in its outer position, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving surface is integrated with the housing structure to form a unified component. The receiving surface simultaneously serves as the housing wall in the insertion direction and as the surrounding structure for the plunger in the outer position, combining multiple functions into a single element and reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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
Ensures consistent and reliable insertion of microarrays into the skin, independent of user or skin texture, maintaining the microarray in the inserted position with residual force from the pressure element and optional adhesive fixation.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure element applies in particular a short-term force on the microarray so that the needles are pressed into the skin of a patient... By an in particular sudden or impulsive movement of the plunger, the plunger presses the microarray into the skin with a corresponding velocity
Implementation Method 2
The fixation element comprises a contact surface... which is provided with an adhesive layer to fix the applicator or the fixation element on the skin of a patient
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an applicator for application of a microarray, comprising a housing (10) in which a plunger (20) is arranged such that it can move linearly. A retainer element (38) is also provided for receiving a microarray (28). A pressure element (34) makes it possible for the plunger (20) to be displaced in order for it to act upon a microarray (28) receive by the retainer element (38). An actuation element (44) allows the plunger (20) to be held in an internal position, and this can be released by actuating said actuation element (44).