Microneedle Medicament Delivery Device Using Electric Field Penetration
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medicament delivery methods, such as hypodermic injections, cause tissue injury and discomfort due to the need for needle penetration, and transdermal delivery faces challenges with skin barrier properties, limiting efficient medicament penetration.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device featuring microneedles and a system generating an electric field between electrodes to drive medicament through the skin, combined with a heating element and chemical penetration enhancers, to enhance penetration and reduce discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hypodermic injection devices are used to deliver medicament, then medicament delivery is achieved, but tissue injury and discomfort occur due to needle penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle penetration system with an electrical field-based delivery system. Electrodes apply an electrical field to the skin, enabling medicament delivery through electrical mechanisms rather than mechanical puncture, thereby eliminating tissue injury and needle-related discomfort while maintaining effective medicament administration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical field as an intermediary between the medicament delivery system and the skin. This electrical field acts as a mediator that facilitates medicament penetration through the skin barrier without requiring direct mechanical contact or needle insertion, thus resolving the contradiction between delivery effectiveness and tissue injury
2Object-affected harmful factors
If transdermal delivery devices are used to avoid needle injury, then non-invasive delivery is achieved, but skin barrier properties block medicament penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the skin barrier by applying an electrical field, which temporarily modifies the skin's permeability properties. This electrical stimulation alters the skin's physical state to enhance medicament penetration while maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier, thus resolving the contradiction between non-invasive delivery and effective penetration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed electrical field application to enhance skin penetration. By applying electrical fields in periodic cycles, the system temporarily opens skin barriers during active delivery phases while maintaining skin integrity during rest phases, enabling reliable medicament penetration without permanent tissue injury
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 efficiently delivers medicament through the skin with reduced discomfort and improved penetration, overcoming skin barrier limitations, allowing for more effective and comfortable administration.
Implementation Method 1
a system configured to generate an electric field between electrodes to drive medicament through the skin
Implementation Method 2
The system may comprise a heating element configured to heat the patient's skin
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device (10, 110, 210) comprising at least one microneedle (16) for delivering a medicament to a patient, and a system (30, 130, 230) configured to enhance the penetration of the medicament into the patient's skin.