Applicator for applying a microneedle array to skin

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020289808-A1
Application number	US-201816754881-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 17, 2018
Priority date	Oct 17, 2017
Publication date	Sep 17, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

An applicator and method for applying a microneedle array to skin. The applicator can include a body having a first portion and a second portion defining a cavity, the second portion having a slot presented on an outside surface for insertion of the microneedle array into the cavity. The first portion and the second portion are slidable relative to one other along an axis enabling the body to be in an unprimed configuration and a primed configuration. The applicator further includes a door operable with the second portion, the door being movable from a first door position to a second door position, wherein when the device is in the unprimed configuration, the door at least partially obstructs the slot and access into the cavity. When the device is in the primed configuration, the door does not obstruct the slots and enables access into the cavity.

First claim

1 . A device for applying a microneedle array to a surface, said device comprising:
a body comprising a first portion and a second portion defining a cavity, said second portion comprising a slot presented on an outside surface of said second portion for insertion of the microneedle array into said cavity, said first portion and said second portion slidable relative to one other along an axis enabling said body to be in an unprimed configuration and a primed configuration; and a door operable with said second portion, said door being movable from a first door position to a second door position,
wherein when said device is in the unprimed configuration, said door is in said first door position and at least partially obstructing said slot and access into said cavity, and
wherein when said device is in said primed configuration, said door is in said second door position and not obstructing said slot to enable access into said cavity.

2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a microneedle array.

3 . (canceled)

4 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising visual indicia proximate said slot identifying a location of said slot to a user.

5 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising presenting visual indicia on said door, such that when said door is in said first door position, a user knows that said door is at least partially obstructing access into said cavity.

6 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member for biasing said door to said first position when in said unprimed configuration.

7 . (canceled)

8 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a plunger disposed in said cavity, said plunger comprising a first plunger end and a second plunger end, said plunger movable from a first plunger position when said device is in said unprimed configuration to a second plunger position when said device is in said primed configuration, wherein said second plunger end operably engages with said door to move said door to said second door position when said plunger moves to said second plunger position.

9 . The device of claim 8 , further comprising a biasing member for biasing said plunger to said first plunger position when said body is in said unprimed configuration.

10 . (canceled)

11 . The device of claim 9 , wherein said biasing member comprises a compression spring and said compression spring is compressed and energized when said plunger is in said second plunger position when said body is in said primed configuration.

12 . A device for applying a microneedle array to a surface, said device comprising:
a body comprising a first portion and a second portion defining a cavity, said second portion comprising a slot presented on an outside surface of said second portion for insertion of the microneedle array into said cavity, said first portion and said second portion slidable relative to one other along an axis thus enabling said body to be in an unprimed configuration and a primed configuration; and a plunger disposed in said cavity, said plunger comprising a first plunger end and a second plunger end, said plunger movable from a first position when said device is in said unprimed configuration to a second position when said device is in said primed configuration, wherein when said device is in said primed configuration, a microneedle array can be inserted into said cavity through said slot and positioned such that it is proximate said second plunger end.

13 . The device of claim 12 , further comprising a microneedle array.

14 . The device of claim 12 , wherein a microneedle array is inserted in said slot and positioned proximate said second plunger end, the microneedle array and said second plunger end are in contact with one another.

15 . The device of claim 12 , wherein a microneedle array is inserted in said slot and positioned proximate said second plunger end, the microneedle array and said second plunger end are less than about 2 mm from one another.

16 . The device of claim 12 , wherein a microneedle array is inserted in said slot and positioned proximate said second plunger end, the microneedle array and said second plunger end are less than about 1 mm from one another.

17 . The device of claim 12 , wherein a microneedle array is inserted in said slot and positioned proximate said second plunger end, the microneedle array and said second plunger end are less than about 0.5 mm from one another.

18 . The device of claim 12 , wherein said second portion comprises an inner surface comprising a low surface energy material, wherein when said plunger moves from said first position to said second position, any friction between microneedle array and said inner surface, should they be in slidable engagement with one another, is minimized.

19 . The device of claim 12 , further comprising a biasing member for biasing said plunger to said first plunger position when said body is in said unprimed configuration.

20 . (canceled)

21 . The device of claim 19 , wherein said biasing member comprises a compression spring and wherein said compression spring is compressed and energized when said plunger is in said second plunger position when said body is in said primed configuration.

22 . An insert for use with a microneedle array applicator including a housing defining a cavity and a delivery mechanism presented in the housing movable between a first position and a second position, said insert comprising:
a first end for insertion into the cavity of the applicator and a second end generally opposed said first end; and a border structure extending from said first end to said second end, said border structure comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining an opening comprising one or more projections extending from said inner surface into said opening,
wherein said border structure substantially, but not completely, encloses said opening, such that there is a gap in said border structure proximate said first end.

23 . An insert for use with device for applying a microneedle array including a housing defining a cavity and a delivery mechanism presented in the housing movable between a first position and a second position, said insert comprising:
a first end for insertion into the cavity of the applicator and a second end generally opposed said first end; and a border structure extending from said first end to said second end, said border structure comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining an opening comprising one or more projections extending from said inner surface into said opening,
wherein said one or more projections are comprised of a low surface energy material.

24 . The insert of claim 23 , wherein the microneedle array includes an adhesive on portion thereof, said adhesive adhering to said one or more projections comprising said low surface energy material.

25 . A method of applying a microneedle array to skin, the method comprising:
providing a device for applying comprising:
a body comprising a longitudinal axis and a first portion and a second portion defining a cavity, said second portion comprising a slot presented on an outside surface of said second portion for insertion of a microneedle array into said cavity, said first portion and said second portion slidable relative to one other along said longitudinal axis to enable said body to be in an unprimed configuration and a primed configuration;
a

Assignees

• Kindeva Drug Delivery Lp

Inventors

• Moeckly Craig S
• Frits Michael J
• Gowers Steven P
• Ley Gregory R
• Mathias Richard R
• Selby Robert G M
• Simmers Ryan Patrick
• Sivigny Michael B
• Strange Daniel G T

Classifications

• A61M35/003

  Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media (hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003) · CPC title

• A61M2205/8281

  spring operated · CPC title

• A61M37/00

  Other apparatus for introducing media into the body (for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30); Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin (salt baths A61H33/04) · CPC title

• A61M2205/584

  having a color code · CPC title

• A61M37/0069

  Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments (for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027) · CPC title