Microneedle Cartridge Segmentation for Usage Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microneedle patches make it difficult to determine if a microneedle has been used, leading to potential reuse without confirmation.

Innovation Solution

A microstructure cartridge and applicator design featuring a base plate with a first and second plate region and a bending or cutting guide line, where the second plate region is bent or cut upon use, allowing easy verification of microneedle usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional microneedle patch is used without any indication mechanism, then the device structure remains simple, but it becomes difficult to determine whether the microneedle has been used, leading to potential reuse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage verificationVSAvoidcartridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is divided into a first plate region (inserted into applicator) and a second plate region (exposed outside), separated by a bending or cutting guide line. This segmentation allows the second region to serve as a visual indicator of usage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second plate region changes its physical state (position, shape, or visual appearance) after the microneedle is used. This state change provides a clear visual indication that the microneedle has been used, enabling users to easily verify usage without complex electronic or mechanical indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of operation

If the second plate region is designed to be bent or cut along the guide line, then usage identification becomes easy, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage checkingVSAvoidguide line positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bending or cutting guide line is pre-formed during manufacturing as a predetermined boundary between the first and second plate regions. This preliminary structuring ensures that when the second region is bent or cut during use, it follows a consistent, precise path that provides reliable visual indication while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If no visual indication mechanism is provided, then the cartridge structure remains simple, but hygiene safety is compromised due to potential reuse of used microneedles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection riskVSAvoidindicating mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second plate region serves as a self-indicating mechanism that automatically shows usage status without requiring external monitoring systems. The physical state change of the second region (through bending or cutting) provides automatic visual feedback, enabling users to independently verify whether the microneedle has been used and make informed decisions about hygiene safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240216659A1Microstructure cartridge and microstructure applicator

Publication Date: 2024.07.04 SNVIA CO LTD

AI summary

A microstructure cartridge is disclosed. The microstructure cartridge comprises: a base plate including a first plate region that is inserted into a microstructure applicator, a second plate region that is not inserted into the microstructure applicator adjacent to the first plate region, and a bending or cutting guide line forming a boundary between the first plate region and the second plate region; and microneedles located in the first plate region, wherein the second plate region is configured to be bent or separated by the guide line as a boundary.