Microneedle Applicator Guide Mechanism Prevents Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microneedle patch technologies face issues with skin irritation, uneven microneedle insertion due to human hair interference, and variability in insertion reliability depending on user force and skin flexibility, leading to inefficient drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
A microneedle applicator with a guide member system that includes a first guide member on the operation member and a second guide member on the housing, preventing rotation and horizontal distortion, and using an external force applied by a user through a support or elastic member to ensure uniform vertical insertion of microneedles, even when they have low hardness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If microneedle patch is inserted by user's palm pressing force, then ease of operation is improved, but insertion reliability deteriorates due to variability in user force and skin flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressing member as an intermediary mechanical structure between the user's hand and the microneedle array. This pressing member includes a pressing portion that contacts the microneedle array and transmits force uniformly, acting as a mediator that converts variable user pressure into consistent insertion force, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the pressing member (such as its shape, size, and material properties) to optimize force transmission. By carefully designing these parameters, the system achieves reliable microneedle insertion with minimal variable force from the user, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and insertion reliability
2Ease of operation
If microneedle hardness is low, then ease of operation is improved (less force needed), but manufacturing precision deteriorates (uneven insertion depth)
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member serves as a mechanical intermediary that distributes force uniformly across all microneedles in the array. This mediator structure ensures that even though individual microneedles have low hardness for easy insertion, they all receive equal force simultaneously, maintaining uniform insertion depth and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member is designed with a pressing portion that corresponds to each microneedle, effectively segmenting the force application. This segmentation ensures that each microneedle receives appropriate and uniform force independently, preventing uneven insertion even when microneedle hardness is low
3Device complexity
If microneedle array is inserted without rotation prevention, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to horizontal distortion and rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric guide structures (guide grooves and guide protrusions) that provide directional guidance. These asymmetric features prevent rotation and horizontal distortion of the microneedle array during insertion, ensuring precise alignment without requiring complex active control mechanisms, thus maintaining simple device structure while improving precision
Data Source
AI summary
A microneedle applicator is provided. A microneedle applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a microneedle array; an operation member disposed on the upper portion of the microneedle array and operating such that a user applies an external force so as to insert a microneedle into skin; a housing for accommodating the microneedle array and the operation member; a first guide member disposed in at least one position on a lateral portion of the operation member or on a lateral portion of an interworking member of the operation member; and a second guide member which is disposed on the inner surface of the housing in a position corresponding to the first guide member so as to be engaged with the first guide member, and allows the first guide member to slide so as to prevent the microneedle array from rotating or horizontally distorting when the microneedle array uniformly vertically descends due to the external force.