Microneedle Array Unit with Deformable Container for Skin Penetration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-needle array units are bulky and require significant pressure to puncture the skin effectively, which can be inconsistent when applied by a finger, especially due to variations in finger shape and softness.
Innovation Solution
A micro-needle array unit with a container design featuring a deformable portion and a flange portion that applies pressure to the micro-needle array, allowing it to be miniaturized and ensuring effective skin penetration with a finger press, utilizing a three-dimensional puncture instrument with two vertically different areas to facilitate deformation and skin puncture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the container uses an integrated outer portion and inner portion design, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the size of the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into distinct components: an outer container body, an inner container holding the micro-needle array, and a deformable portion. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the inner container can be compact while the outer container provides protection and deformation capability, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and size reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner container holding the micro-needle array is nested within the outer container. This nesting arrangement allows the compact storage of the micro-needle array while maintaining a protective outer structure, achieving miniaturization without compromising structural integrity or protection.
2Ease of operation
If pressure is applied using a finger to the applicator, then the ease of operation is improved, but the force generated is insufficient for reliable skin penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's finger pressure and the micro-needle array. When the user presses the deformable portion with their finger, it stores elastic energy and then releases this energy to apply concentrated force to push the micro-needle array through the skin, amplifying the effect of finger pressure and ensuring reliable penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable portion transforms static finger pressure into dynamic force application. By deforming under finger pressure and then rebounding, it creates a dynamic pushing action that concentrates force over time, enabling effective skin penetration with minimal user effort while maintaining ease of operation.
3Volume of moving object
If the container size is reduced for miniaturization, then the portability is improved, but the pressure application mechanism becomes less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable portion is constructed as a flexible element that can be integrated into a compact container structure. This flexible component allows the container to maintain a small size while still providing an effective pressure application mechanism through elastic deformation, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and force effectiveness.
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 design enables efficient and consistent skin penetration of the micro-needle array, even with a finger press, allowing for sufficient drug administration while minimizing the unit's size and ensuring stable attachment to the skin.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable portion is deformed, and the other surface of the micro-needle array is pressed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a micro-needle array unit that can be miniaturized and can sufficiently puncture the skin even in a case of being pressed by a finger. According to the present invention, provided is a micro-needle array unit including a micro-needle array which has a sheet and a plurality of needles arranged inside an outer peripheral surface of one surface of the sheet; a container which accommodates the micro-needle array and includes an accommodating portion having an opening and protrusions that support the outer peripheral surface of the micro-needle array, a deformable portion disposed on a side opposite to the opening and integrated with the accommodating portion, and a flange portion that is integrated with the accommodating portion and brought into contact with a skin; a lid which seals the opening of the container; and a three-dimensional puncture instrument which has two vertically different areas, in which in a case where an external force applied in a direction of the opening by a smaller area between two vertically different areas of the puncture instrument is received, the deformable portion is deformed, and the other surface of the micro-needle array is pressed, the micro-needle array deforms the protrusions and is pushed out of the accommodating portion due to the pressing of the other surface, and the deformable portion presses the micro-needle array while maintaining a deformed state thereof.