Microneedle Administration Apparatus for Precise Dermal Growth Factor Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microneedle transdermal absorption preparations face challenges in delivering a prescribed dose of growth factors to the dermis without causing overdose or side effects like pigmentation, especially when treating skin with irregular surfaces, and require a prolonged administration process.

Innovation Solution

A bilayered microneedle preparation with a tip end containing the objective substance and a bottom part without, designed to break upon impact pressure, is used within a microneedle preparation administration apparatus that adjusts collision pressure for precise insertion into the dermis, preventing duplicate administration and ensuring even treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If microneedle preparation is administered directly into dermis in transdermal manner, then delivery depth reaches target layer, but melanocytes in basal layer are stimulated causing pigmentation side effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery depthVSAvoidpigmentation side effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The microneedle preparation is divided into multiple independent microneedles arranged in an array, where each microneedle can be controlled to deliver substance to specific depth. The array configuration allows selective targeting of dermal layers while avoiding epidermal melanocytes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microneedle preparation uses microneedles of specific lengths (50-500 μm) that are optimized to reach only the desired depth in the dermis. By controlling the microneedle length and insertion depth, the substance is delivered locally to the target layer without affecting melanocytes in the epidermal basal layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If microneedle preparation administration member is pressed on skin surface, then administration is achieved, but on irregular surfaces duplicate administration occurs causing overdose

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadministration processVSAvoiddosage uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The microneedle preparation administration member is designed to adapt to irregular skin surfaces through flexible contact. The array configuration allows the microneedles to conform to surface variations while maintaining consistent insertion depth and dosage delivery, preventing duplicate administration even on uneven surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If microneedle preparation is pressed while standing upright perpendicular to skin surface, then insertion ability is maximized, but administration time is prolonged on irregular surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion abilityVSAvoidadministration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The microneedle preparation administration member uses an array of microneedles that can contact irregular skin surfaces more effectively than a single flat surface. The distributed array configuration allows multiple microneedles to make simultaneous contact and insertion points, reducing the time needed to achieve reliable administration on uneven surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 allows for quick, reliable, and uniform administration of growth factors to the dermis, reducing the risk of pigmentation and overdose while facilitating efficient treatment of skin areas with irregular surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

designed to break upon impact pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

the base is dissolved by water in the skin, so that the objective substance may be transdermally administered

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3117867B1Micro-needle preparation administration member for intradermal placement of target substance and apparatus for rapid administration of micro-needle preparation
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 LABO JUVERSA
  • EP3117867B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3117867B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3117867B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The problem of the invention is to provide a microneedle preparation administration apparatus that prevents overdosing caused by duplicate administration within a treatment range of skin, more reliably administers a prescribed dose of a growth factor at an intended optional depth in the dermis, exhibits an intended effect, and avoids pigmentation side effects. The solution to the problem is a microneedle preparation administration apparatus comprising: a guide tube; a pedestal in which at least a part thereof including a front end surface is housed within the guide tube and slides in length direction; and driving means for driving the pedestal toward a front end part of the guide tube, and microneedle preparations being to be attached to the front end surface of the pedestal, and the microneedle preparations being to be pressed out from a front end part of the guide tube, wherein the microneedle preparation has a first portion having a tip end part and containing an objective substance, and a second portion having a bottom part and not containing the objective substance, and the front end surface of the pedestal is struck on skin at a collision pressure of 30 N to 200 N per 1 cm2.