Microneedle Unit With Elastic Base Cover for Controlled Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microneedle technologies face challenges in effectively delivering cosmetics or drugs through the skin due to low absorption rates, potential irritation, and limitations in flexibility and durability for use on curved areas like the face or head, where vertical movement is inflexible and may cause needle breakage.
Innovation Solution
A microneedle unit comprising a case with a fluid channel, a vertically movable base cover, a guide pin to open and close the channel, and an elastic member to facilitate external pressure-driven fluid delivery, allowing repeated and controlled fluid injection into the skin without additional apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid microneedle is used to deliver drugs through the skin, then the microneedle can penetrate the skin and deliver drugs, but the microneedle may cause irritation from foreign matter and has limited flexibility for curved areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful solid microneedle structure and replaces it with a fluid delivery system. The microneedle unit uses a case with fluid channel that delivers drug solution through the skin, eliminating the solid foreign matter that causes irritation while maintaining the penetration and drug delivery function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the drug from solid (in solid microneedles) to liquid solution form. The drug solution is delivered through the fluid channel and can be absorbed by the skin without the irritation caused by solid foreign matter, while still achieving effective drug delivery.
2Reliability
If a hollow microneedle is used for drug delivery, then the microneedle can deliver drugs into the skin, but the needle has inflexible vertical movement and may break due to compression against the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the vulnerable hollow needle structure entirely and replaces it with a protected fluid delivery system. The case with fluid channel shields the drug solution from direct compression, eliminating the risk of needle breakage while maintaining drug delivery capability through the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure provides beforehand protection for the fluid channel, preventing direct compression of the drug delivery path. This cushioning structure prevents breakage before it can occur, allowing the unit to withstand compression forces applied during use on curved skin areas.
3Ease of operation
If a roller-type apparatus with microneedle is used to distribute lotion on the skin, then the lotion can be evenly distributed and skin can be massaged, but the apparatus cannot substantially deliver drugs into the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the benefits of both approaches: the microneedle penetration capability for deep drug delivery and the roller-type distribution mechanism. The microneedle unit can be incorporated into a roller apparatus that distributes lotion while simultaneously delivering drugs into the skin through the microneedle's fluid channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedle unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of both delivering drugs into the skin through its fluid channel and being integrated into a roller system for lotion distribution and skin massage. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions effectively.
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
Enables efficient and repeated delivery of fluids into the skin, improving absorption rates and skin permeation while minimizing irritation and enhancing skin tone improvement and anti-aging effects, with improved flexibility and durability for use on various skin areas.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to impart a restoring force such that the base cover is moved upward by an external pressure and then returns downward again
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a microneedle unit comprising a case having a space accommodating a fluid and a fluid channel through which the fluid is discharged, a microneedle coupled to a lower portion of the case, a base cover disposed at the lower portion of the case, having a hole through which the microneedle passes, and being vertically movable, a guide pin coupled to the base cover and configured to open and close the fluid channel, and an elastic member configured to impart a restoring force such that the base cover is moved upward by an external pressure and then returns downward again. Therefore, the microneedle unit, which is provided to deliver a fluid into the skin with no pain and no scar, can control injection of the fluid using the guide pin, and repeatedly and conveniently control injection of the fluid using the elastic member.