Microneedle Container Design Prevents Projection Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microneedle containers with stepped inner walls cause deformation of microneedle projections due to vibration, as the distance between the stepped surface and the container opening is larger than the microneedle's dimensions, leading to improper positioning and reduced effectiveness in transdermal drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
A microneedle unit with a base having a projection forming surface and a supported surface, where the microneedle container includes a housing with a supporting section and a cover with an abutment section, ensuring the projection is not deformed by vibration, as the distance between the abutment and facing sections is larger than the projection's length, and the adhesive strengths of the abutment and supporting sections differ for secure handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microneedle is stored in a container with a stepped inner wall, then the microneedle can be housed and protected, but the projection may be deformed when the container is exposed to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two functional parts: a housing that provides structural protection and a cover with a specific geometric configuration. The cover includes a facing section and an abutment section that work together to constrain the microneedle, preventing deformation while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed with specific local geometric features: a facing section with a specific shape that interfaces with the microneedle projection and an abutment section that provides additional constraint. These localized geometric qualities are optimized to prevent deformation without affecting the overall protective function.
2Ease of operation
If the distance between the stepped surface and the container opening is made larger, then the microneedle has more freedom of movement, but the projection is more susceptible to deformation during vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be movable relative to the housing, allowing dynamic adjustment during use. The cover can be opened for access and closed for protection, with the geometric configuration of the facing section and abutment section providing constraint when closed, preventing deformation during vibration while allowing operation when needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the microneedle container is designed to securely hold the microneedle, then the microneedle remains in position, but the projection may still be deformed by vibration in the extending direction
Solution Approach 1:
The solution addresses the vibration problem by adding a new dimensional constraint through the cover's geometric configuration. The facing section and abutment section create constraints in the direction perpendicular to the projection's extending direction, effectively preventing deformation caused by vibration in that dimension while maintaining positioning stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A microneedle container (20) includes a housing (22) and a cover (21). The microneedle (30) includes a base (31), and the base (31) includes a projection forming surface (31a) having a projection (32) and a supported surface (31b) opposite to the projection forming surface (31a). A portion of the projection forming surface (31a) in which the projection (32) is not located is an abutted section (31a1). The housing (22) includes a supporting section (22a) that supports the supported surface (31b). The cover (21) includes an abutment section (21a) that faces the abutted section (31a1), and a facing section (21b) that faces the projection (32), and the distance between the abutment section (21a) and the facing section (21b) is larger than a distance between the abutted section (31a1) and the distal end of the projection (32) in an extending direction in which the projection (32) extends. Furthermore, the distance between the abutment section (21a) and the supporting section (22a) is smaller than a sum of the distance between the abutted section (31a1) and the supported surface (31b) and the distance between the abutted section (31a1) and the distal end of the projection (32).