Abstract:
Microneedle devices are provided for delivery of drugs across biological tissue and for controlled sampling of biological fluids in a minimally-invasive, painless, and convenient manner. The devices permit 1) drug delivery at clinically relevant rates across or into skin or other tissue barriers, and/or 2) in vivo sensing or withdrawal of biological fluids from the body, particularly from or through the skin or other tissue barriers. Drug delivery devices preferably include a plurality of hollow microneedles attached to or integrated into a substrate, and at least one reservoir (containing drug) selectably in communication with the microneedles, wherein the amount of drug to be delivered can be selectively altered. Withdrawal or sensing microneedle devices preferably include microneedles attached to or integrated into a substrate, and at least one collection chamber and/or sensor in communication with the microneedles.
Abstract:
Microneedle devices are provided for transport of therapeutic and biological molecules across tissue barriers. In a preferred embodiment, the microneedle devices permit drug delivery (or removal or sensing of body fluids) at clinically relevant rates across skin or other tissue barriers, without damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. Methods of making these devices, which can include hollow and/or porous microneedles, are also provided. A preferred method for making a microneedle includes forming a micromold having sidewalls which define the outer surface of the microneedle, electroplating the sidewalls to form the hollow microneedle, and then removing the micromold from the microneedle. In a preferred method of use, the microneedle device is used to deliver fluid material into or across a biological barrier from one or more chambers in fluid connection with at least one of the microneedles. The device preferably further includes a means for controlling the flow of material through the microneedles. Representative examples of these means include the use of permeable membranes, fracturable impermeable membranes, valves, and pumps.
Abstract:
Microneedle devices are provided for delivery of drugs across biological tissue and for controlled sampling of biological fluids in a minimally- invasive, painless, and convenient manner. The devices permit 1) drug delive ry at clinically relevant rates across or into skin or other tissue barriers, and/or 2) in vivo sensing or withdrawal of biological fluids from the body, particularly from or through the skin or other tissue barriers. Drug deliver y devices preferably include a plurality of hollow microneedles attached to or integrated into a substrate, and at least one reservoir (containing drug) selectably in communication with the microneedles, wherein the amount of dru g to be delivered can be selectively altered. Withdrawal or sensing microneedl e devices preferably include microneedles attached to or integrated into a substrate, and at least one collection chamber and/or sensor in communicatio n with the microneedles.
Abstract:
Microneedle devices are provided for delivery of drugs across biological tissue and for controlled sampling of biological fluids in a minimally-invasive, painless, and convenient manner. The devices permit 1) drug delivery at clinically relevant rates across or into skin or other tissue barriers, and/or 2) in vivo sensin g or withdrawal of biological fluids from the body, particularly from or through the skin or other tissue barriers. Drug delivery devices preferably include a plurality of hollow microneedles attached to or integrated into a substrate, and at least one reservoir (containing drug) selectably in communication with the microneedles, wherein the amount of drug to be delivered can be selectively altered. Withdrawal or sensing microneedle devices preferably include microneedles attached to or integrated into a substrate, and at leas t one collection chamber and/or sensor in communication with the microneedles.
Abstract:
The devices 400, 500 include microneedles 450, 550 that may be separable from the drug delivery devices, control drug release rate and/or direction, or a combination thereof. When the microneedles are separable, a force applied to the drug delivery devices may be effective to penetrate a biological tissue with the microneedles and then to separate the microneedles from the drug delivery devices. The drug delivery devices may be capable of achieving discrete periods of drug release.
Abstract:
Microneedle devices are provided for transport of molecules across tissue barriers and for use as microflameholders. In a preferred embodiment for transport across tissue, the microneedles are formed of a biodegradable polymer. Methods of making these devices, which can include hollow and/or porous microneedles, are also provided. A preferred method for making a microneedle includes forming a micromold having sidewalls which define the outer surface of the microneedle, electroplating the sidewalls to form the hollow microneedle, and then removing the micromold from the microneedle. In a preferred method of use, the microneedle device is used to deliver material into or across a biological barrier from chambers in connection with at least one of the microneedles. The device preferably further includes a means for controlling the flow of material through the microneedles. Representative examples of these means include the use of permeable membranes, fracturable impermeable membranes, valves, and pumps.