Wearable Microneedle Spring Applicator for Autonomous Skin Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microneedle patch application methods require continuous user intervention to apply and maintain skin tension, high-speed microneedle application, and continuous pressure to keep microneedles in the skin, which can be inconvenient and impractical for extended use.
Innovation Solution
A wearable microneedle spring applicator that provides tensioning and fixation of the skin, high-speed application of microneedles, and continuous holding of the microneedles without user intervention, utilizing a combination of a reusable skin tensioning device and a disposable microneedle spring applicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user continuously holds and presses the microneedle patch against the skin to provide continual application pressure and skin tensioning force, then the microneedles remain in the skin for dissolution, but the device becomes inconvenient and impractical for extended use (30 minutes or longer)
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device enables self-service by automatically providing skin tensioning force and continual application pressure through its elastic band and spring mechanism, eliminating the need for continuous user intervention. The device serves itself by maintaining the microneedles in the skin through its own mechanical structures rather than requiring external manual pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the microneedles in a compressed state within the applicator head and pre-tensioning the skin through the elastic band before microneedle deployment. The spring is pre-compressed and the elastic band is pre-stretched, so that when applied, the forces are immediately available without requiring continuous user adjustment during the dissolution period.
2Ease of operation
If a wearable device is designed to provide continual holding force for extended periods without user intervention, then user convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: an elastic band for skin tensioning, a housing for structural support, a spring mechanism for microneedle actuation and pressure application, and an applicator head for microneedle delivery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving the complex goal of autonomous continual holding force.
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 consistent drug delivery by ensuring skin tension, high-speed microneedle penetration, and continuous application pressure without user intervention, improving convenience and practicality for extended application times.
Implementation Method 1
These dissolvable microneedles are made of dissolvable matrix materials such as hyaluronic acid (HA), poly (vinylpolypyrrolidone) (PVP), carboxylmethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and so on. Pharmaceutical active ingredients can be loaded in the dissolvable microneedle patches and be administered to the skin through the dissolution of the microneedles
Data Source
AI summary
In the first preferred embodiment (please refer to FIGS. 1-4), a low-profiled, wearable microneedle spring applicator (200) is provided. The applicator (200) comprises (a) a reusable skin tensioning and fixating device (220) which is made up of a skin tensioning base (240) and a strap (260); and (b) a disposable microneedle spring applicator (280) which is attachable to the skin tensioning base (240). In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, we use the compression force generated from fastening the strap (260) around a body to generate the holding force.