Microneedle Particle Composition for Partial Tissue Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for delivering bioactive compounds through biological tissues, such as skin, are limited by the strong barrier functionality of these tissues, leading to ineffective delivery and potential tissue damage due to long scratches or the need for multiple needle structures that are difficult to administer and limited in surface area coverage.

Innovation Solution

Microneedle particles with a core structure and extending microneedles are designed to partially penetrate biological tissues, forming microchannels while preventing the entire particle from embedding, allowing for flexible application and removal, and can be dispersed in a liquid medium with bioactive agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If abrasive methods are used to penetrate biological tissue, then penetration is achieved, but tissue damage increases due to removal of large areas of tissue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue damageVSAvoidpenetration effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the tissue penetration function into multiple discrete microneedle elements (e.g., 10-1000 microneedles per particle) rather than using a single abrasive surface. Each microneedle creates an individual microchannel, segmenting the penetration process to minimize tissue removal while achieving sufficient depth through the stratum corneum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional abrasive scratching (parallel to tissue surface) to three-dimensional puncture penetration (perpendicular to tissue surface). The microneedles are configured to penetrate vertically through the tissue barrier, creating discrete channels that minimize lateral tissue removal while achieving effective delivery depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple needle structures are used to puncture tissue, then discrete punctures are created, but device complexity and difficulty of administration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue damageVSAvoidneedle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple individual needle structures into a single integrated microneedle particle. The particle comprises a core structure with multiple microneedles extending from it, combining the functions of many separate needles into one applyable unit that can be administered as a single composition rather than requiring assembly of multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a liquid or gel composition as an intermediary medium that carries the microneedle particles to the tissue surface. This mediator facilitates easy application and distribution of the microneedles across the treatment area, eliminating the need for complex mechanical assembly or specialized administration devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If microneedle patches are used for skin pretreatment, then tissue penetration is achieved, but treatment surface area is limited by patch size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment surface areaVSAvoidapplication flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state and delivery parameters of the microneedles by incorporating them into a liquid or gel composition. This allows the microneedle particles to be applied flexibly across large surface areas using conventional topical application methods, rather than being constrained by the fixed size and shape of solid patches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If ballistic methods are used to puncture tissue, then penetration is achieved, but particles become completely embedded in tissue requiring removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration effectivenessVSAvoidparticle removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies partial penetration action where the microneedles are designed to penetrate only to the required depth (through the stratum corneum) rather than completely through the tissue. The core structure prevents excessive penetration, allowing the microneedles to create effective channels while remaining partially external for easy removal, avoiding the need for surgical extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4137116B1Composition comprising microneedle particles
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 GEORGIA TECH RES CORP
  • EP4137116B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2B
  • EP4137116B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP4137116B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Provided herein is a composition comprising a plurality of microneedle particles (100) and a liquid medium in which the plurality of microneedle particles (100) is dispersed. The composition is adapted for application to a biological tissue surface. Each of the microneedle particles (100) comprises a core structure (110) and one or more microneedles (120) extending from the core structure. The microneedles (120) are structured to penetrate the biological tissue surface. At least one of the core structure (110),the one or more microneedles (120), and a spatial relationship between/among two or more of the microneedles (120) is configured to prevent the entire microneedle particle (100) from penetrating the biological tissue surface.