Microneedle with membrane
Membrane containing microneedles, microneedle arrays, and needles, and systems and methods relating to same are disclosed.
1 . A microneedle device, comprising
a microneedle array, and
a membrane disposed thereon.
2 . A microneedle device according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane is an ion-selective material.
3 . A microneedle device according to claim 2 , wherein the ion-selective material selectively allows one or more desired analytes to pass therethrough while substantially blocking certain other analytes.
4 . A microneedle device according to claim 3 , wherein the desired analytes are selected from insulin, blood gas, calcium, and potassium.
5 . A microneedle device according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane is an ion transport membrane or an ion filter.
6 . A microneedle device according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane is disposed on the outside or inside of the microneedle array.
7 . A microneedle device according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane is partially disposed on the microneedle array.
8 . A microneedle device according to claim 1 , further comprising a layer having an electron transfer agent.
9 . A microneedle device according to claim 1 , wherein the electron transfer agent comprises an enzyme, or a functional derivative thereof.
10 . A microneedle device according to claim 9 , wherein the enzyme is selected from glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4), lactose oxidase, galactose oxidase, enoate reductase, hydrogenase, choline dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1), and glucose dehydrogenase.
11 . A microneedle device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor in electrical communication with the microneedle array.
12 . A system for sample analysis, comprising
a microneedle having a membrane, and
a layer having an electron transfer agent disposed thereon, and
a sensor coupled to the layer and capable of detecting a change in an electrical parameter.
13 . A system according to claim 12 , wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a resistor, a hall effect device, a capacitor, an inductor, a thermsistor, and a differential amplifier.
14 . A system according to claim 12 , further comprising
a delivery mechanism for delivering a medicant through the microneedle in response to a detected change in an electrical parameter.
15 . A system according to claim 12 , further comprising a dose control system for controlling as a function of a change in an electrical parameter a dose to deliver.
16 . A system according to claim 12 , for the comprising
a visual display for generating a visual indication of a detected change in an electrical parameter.
17 . A system according to claim 13 , for the comprising
an audio indicator for generating an audio signal to indicate a detected change in an electrical parameter.
18 . A patch comprising,
a substrate,
a plurality of microneedles formed on the substrate, and
a membrane disposed on the substrate.
19 . A process for manufacturing a microneedle, comprising
forming a microneedle array substrate, and
forming a membrane on the substrate.
20 . A process according to claim 19 , further comprising disposing electron transfer agents on the substrate.