Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a hollow microneedle having a variable appearance. The method makes it possible to vary the length of the microneedle, the outer and inner diameters of the upper and lower parts thereof, the aspect ratio, the sharpness, and the structural bending rate thereof, in accordance with the purposes of the same. Accordingly, the appearance of the hollow microneedles according to the present invention can be varied with flexibility according to various purposes, such as the transferring of medication and the taking of a blood sample, and to various factors, such as the target part for the medication transfer, the depth of the medication transfer, and the amount and viscosity of the medication. Thus, the microneedle can be used as a multi-purpose device for transferring medication.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of coating microneedles by which the microneedles mounted on a microneedle device are coated accurately and easily in a mass-producible manner. In this method, a microneedle device (22) with a plurality of microneedles (21) is mounted on a table (23), while a mask plate (25) with a plurality of apertures (24) is fixed to a frame member (26), and a coating solution (27) is drawn in the direction of arrow A on the mask plate (25) using a spatula (28) to fill the apertures (24) with the coating solution. The microneedles (21) are inserted in the apertures (24) before or after the filling of the apertures (24) with the coating solution (27) to coat the microneedles (21).
Abstract:
Methods for wafer-scale fabrication of needle arrays can include mechanically modifying a wafer to produce a plurality of vertically-extending columns. The columns are etched to round and reshape the columns into substantially uniformly shaped needles. Needle arrays having needle width non-uniformity of less than about 3% and length non-uniformity of less than about 2% can be produced.
Abstract:
A method of producing projections on a patch including providing a mask on a substrate and etching the substrate using an etchant and a passivant to thereby control the etching process and form the projections, wherein the passivant does not include oxygen.
Abstract:
Methods of and devices for making pores, nozzles, and slits are described. In some embodiments, the methods create pattern in the molded substrate by controlling the location and direction of a controlled flow stream through molding plates. The molding plate contains a predefined pattern that is able to be used to create the desired pattern in the molding plate.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a hollow micro-needle structure includes the steps of: disposing a first mask layer and a second mask layer respectively aside a first substrate and aside a rear surface of the first substrate, wherein the first substrate is transparent to predetermined light; forming a photoresist layer on the front surface of the first substrate and the first mask layer; providing the predetermined light to illuminate the first substrate in a direction from the rear surface to the front surface so as to expose the photoresist layer to form an exposed portion and an unexposed portion; and removing the unexposed portion to form the micro-needle structure, which is formed by the exposed portion. The micro-needle structure has an inclined sidewall and a through hole surrounded by the inclined sidewall.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method of forming a mold for use in making molded articles having a plurality of microprojections. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of forming a molded article having a plurality of microprojections. In one aspect, a mold workpiece is provided, a tool having a tip with a shape corresponding to the microprojection, wherein the hardness of the tool is greater than that of the mold workpiece, is pressed into the mold workpiece and removed, thereby creating a mold with a microprojection cavity suitable for use in making the molded article.
Abstract:
The invention discloses a method of manufacturing a microneedle including the steps of forming an island etching mask having thickness distribution on a substrate, and processing the substrate into a needle by taking advantage of a difference in etching rates between the etching mask and the substrate. The invention enables to readily control a point angle and height of the manufactured needle.
Abstract:
A carbon nanotube needle comprising: an end portion and a broken end portion, the broken end portion comprising a single carbon nanotube tip. A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube needle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a carbon nanotube film comprising of a plurality of commonly aligned carbon nanotubes, a first electrode, and a second electrode; (b) fixing the carbon nanotube film to the first electrode and the second electrode, the carbon nanotube film extending from the first electrode to the second electrode; (c) treating the carbon nanotube film with an organic solvent to form at least one carbon nanotube string; and (d) applying a voltage to the carbon nanotube string until the carbon nanotube string snaps.
Abstract:
A process for producing a micromachined tube (microtube) suitable for microfluidic devices. The process entails isotropically etching a surface of a first substrate to define therein a channel having an arcuate cross-sectional profile, and forming a substrate structure by bonding the first substrate to a second substrate so that the second substrate overlies and encloses the channel to define a passage having a cross-sectional profile of which at least half is arcuate. The substrate structure can optionally then be thinned to define a microtube and walls thereof that surround the passage.