Microneedle Applicator With Sliding Door For Low Friction Skin Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The barrier properties of the stratum corneum limit the effective delivery of molecules through the skin, making it challenging for transdermal and topical drug delivery methods to administer therapeutic agents efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A microneedle array applicator device is designed with a sliding body configuration and a movable door mechanism, allowing for the easy insertion and deployment of a microneedle array, which creates microscopic slits in the skin to facilitate the delivery of active agents by minimizing friction and using low surface energy materials for efficient release and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microneedles are pressed against the skin to pierce the stratum corneum, then the permeability of skin is enhanced and drug delivery is improved, but the friction and adhesion between microneedles and skin may cause incomplete penetration or device malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface energy characteristics of the microneedle array. Specifically, the microneedle array is designed with low surface energy materials or treatments that reduce friction and adhesion forces between the microneedles and skin tissue, enabling smoother penetration and more reliable drug delivery without compromising the piercing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an inversion approach by using low surface energy materials that traditionally would reduce adhesion (which might seem counterintuitive for securing the device) but in this context, the reduced adhesion prevents microneedles from sticking to the skin or device housing, ensuring complete penetration and reliable operation
2Ease of operation
If a microneedle array is designed for easy insertion and deployment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity may increase due to sliding mechanisms and movable components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating a sliding mechanism that allows the microneedle array to move from a stored position to a deployed position. The sliding body configuration enables the microneedle array to be easily inserted and deployed through simple linear motion, improving ease of operation while the mechanism remains relatively simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs segmentation by dividing the applicator device into distinct functional portions: a body, a movable door, and a sliding mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining ease of operation for microneedle array insertion and deployment
3Loss of time
If the applicator uses a reusable design with reloadable microneedle arrays, then the loss of time for device preparation is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to reloadable mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the applicator body as a reusable platform that can accommodate multiple microneedle arrays. The standardized slot and sliding mechanism allow the same applicator body to be used repeatedly with different microneedle arrays, reducing preparation time while keeping the reloadable mechanism simple and straightforward
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 device enhances the permeability of the skin, enabling effective delivery of therapeutic agents, including large molecules like proteins and vaccines, by creating microholes for transdermal administration, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional drug delivery methods.
Implementation Method 1
The microneedles can be pressed against the skin in an effort to pierce the stratum corneum, such that the therapeutic agents and other substances can sequentially or simultaneously pass through that layer and into the tissues below
Implementation Method 2
using low surface energy materials for efficient release and adhesion
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator and method for applying a microneedle array to skin. The applicator can include a body having a first portion and a second portion defining a cavity, the second portion having a slot presented on an outside surface for insertion of the microneedle array into the cavity. The first portion and the second portion are slidable relative to one other along an axis enabling the body to be in an unprimed configuration and a primed configuration. The applicator further includes a door operable with the second portion, the door being movable from a first door position to a second door position, wherein when the device is in the unprimed configuration, the door at least partially obstructs the slot and access into the cavity. When the device is in the primed configuration, the door does not obstruct the slots and enables access into the cavity.