Microstructure Drug Injection Device With Inner Voids for Shape Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-sized transdermal needles face issues with drug leakage and shape shrinkage during manufacturing, leading to reduced skin penetration and delivery efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A microstructure-based drug injection device is manufactured with an inner space formed in areas other than the drug-filled space, allowing the drug to penetrate into microstructure holes and distribute at the front end, preventing leakage and maintaining shape integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a biodegradable material is used to fill the microneedle without voids, then the needle can dissolve in the skin, but the shape of the microneedle shrinks during manufacturing and drug leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The microneedle is designed with a porous structure containing voids that allow the needle to maintain its shape during manufacturing while enabling drug distribution into the needle body. The porous structure prevents shape shrinkage by providing internal space that accommodates the biodegradable material without causing deformation, while still allowing the needle to dissolve in the skin for drug delivery.
2Quantity of substance
If the microneedle is filled completely with drug, then drug delivery capacity is maximized, but the needle shape shrinks and drug leakage occurs during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure with voids allows the needle to maintain shape stability during manufacturing while still accommodating sufficient drug loading. The voids provide internal space that prevents shape shrinkage by distributing the drug-filled matrix evenly, preventing the needle from deforming or leaking during the manufacturing process.
3Productivity
If the microneedle dissolves rapidly in the skin, then drug delivery speed is improved, but the needle shape may deform before penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure with controlled voids provides shape stability before penetration by distributing the needle's internal structure evenly, preventing deformation. The same porous structure enables rapid drug delivery by facilitating quick drug release and diffusion into the skin tissue once the needle is inserted, achieving both shape stability and fast drug delivery.
4Ease of manufacture
If the microneedle is made without internal voids, then manufacturing is simpler, but the needle shape shrinks and drug distribution is limited to the filling space only
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure with voids is integrated into the manufacturing process, allowing the needle to maintain its shape during fabrication. The voids enable drug to distribute throughout the entire needle body including the front end, not just the filling space, achieving improved drug distribution while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a standardized porous fabrication process.
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 enhances skin penetration and delivery efficiency of effective drug components while minimizing shape shrinkage and leakage, ensuring rapid separation from the skin upon insertion.
Implementation Method 1
primary drying to form a needle film where the microstructure is formed by drying the biodegradable material-mixed solution applied to the forming mold
Implementation Method 2
the filled drug penetrates into a hole formed in the microstructure
Implementation Method 3
secondary drying for drying the needle film, wherein an inner space is formed in an area other than an area where the drug is accommodated
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a microstructure-based drug injection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a forming mold preparation step for preparing a forming mold formed in a shape corresponding to a microstructure to be manufactured; a biodegradable material-mixed solution application step for applying a biodegradable material-mixed solution to the forming mold; a primary drying step for drying the biodegradable material-mixed solution applied to the forming mold and forming a needle film in which the microstructure is formed; a drug filling step for filling a drug into a filling space formed by the microstructure; and a secondary drying step for drying the needle film, wherein, in the filling space that has undergone the secondary drying step, an inner space portion is formed in a region other than in the region in which the drug is accommodated.