Skin penetrating touch fasteners
View Patent ↗A skin attachment member having first and second surface with a plurality of skin penetrating elements extending integrally from the first surface of the backing to a distal tip. The skin penetrating elements are sized to avoid contact with nerves below the epidermal skin layer and have a foam disposed between at least some of the skin penetrating elements. A method of using the skin attachment member to deliver a pharmaceutical composition through the skin.
1. A skin attachment member comprising;
a backing having a first surface and a second surface;
a plurality of skin penetrating elements extending integrally from the first surface of the backing to a distal tip, the skin penetrating elements being sized to avoid contact with nerves below the epidermal skin layer; and
a foam disposed on the first surface of the backing, wherein at least a portion of the foam is disposed between at least some of the skin penetrating elements, wherein at least some of the skin penetrating elements each include a retention barb extending from an outer side surface of the skin penetrating element;
wherein at least a portion of the foam extends to a height greater than the height of at least some of the skin penetrating elements.
2. The member of claim 1 wherein a pharmaceutical composition is disposed within the foam.
3. The member of claim 2 wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in the formulation of a cream, a gel, or a liquid.
4. The member of claim 2 wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a biomolecule.
5. The member of claim 4 wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of a hormone or an antibody.
6. The member of claim 2 wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a molecule having a molecular weight greater than 500 Daltons.
7. The member of claim 2 wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a controlled release formulation.
8. The member of claim 2 wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a vehicle.
9. The member of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the skin penetrating elements comprise a groove extending lengthwise from the base to the distal tip.
10. The member of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a plastic resin.
11. The member of claim 1 wherein the skin penetrating elements have a height of about 0.004 to about 0.040 inches.
12. The member of claim 1 wherein the skin penetrating elements have a height of about 0.012 inches.
13. The member of claim 1 wherein an adhesive is disposed on a surface of the foam.
14. The member of claim 2 wherein a skin penetration enhancer is disposed within the foam.
15. The member of claim 1 wherein the foam comprises PVC.
16. The member of claim 1 wherein the foam comprises PU.
17. The member of claim 1 , wherein the backing incorporates a bacterial killing agent.
18. The member of claim 17 , wherein the bacterial killing agent is silver.
19. The member of claim 1 , wherein a protective film covers at least part of an exterior surface of the foam.