Microneedle array applicator device and method of array application
View Patent ↗An applicator device ( 20 ) including a housing ( 22 ), an impactor ( 62 ) for impacting a microneedle array and accelerating the microneedle array toward the target site, wherein the impactor is capable of moving along an arcuate path to move the microneedle array toward the target site. Also, an applicator device including a housing, a patch applicator pivotally supported by the housing, and a torsion spring. The patch applicator has a retaining portion ( 40 ) and a patch contacting portion ( 70 ), and the patch contacting portion is capable of moving along a substantially arcuate path between a first position and a second position. The torsion spring is capable of biasing the patch applicator relative to the housing.
1. An application device for applying a microneedle array comprising:
a housing having a skin-contacting face defining an opening that can be positioned at a target site;
an impactor for impacting the microneedle array and accelerating the microneedle array toward the target site,
wherein the impactor is capable of moving along a substantially arcuate path to move the microneedle array along an arcuate path toward the opening of the skin-contacting face of the housing; and
a drive member for biasing the impactor relative to the housing, wherein the drive member has a length extending from a fixed end attached to the housing to a movable end, wherein the drive member is bendable deflectable, relative to the housing, along the length of the drive member, wherein the movable end of the drive member is configured so as to be able to contact and propel the microneedle array and wherein the microneedle array is affixed to the movable end of the drive member.
2. The application device as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising a first retainer disposed along and spaced from the skin-contacting face of the housing and adjacent to the opening.
3. The application device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the first retainer has a release surface.
4. The application device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the release surface faces the housing.
5. The application device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the first retainer has a release coating applied thereon.
6. The application device as claimed in claim 2 , and further comprising a second retainer disposed along and spaced from the skin-contacting face of the housing and adjacent to the opening.
7. The application device of claim 1 , and further comprising a recess along the skin-contacting face, wherein the opening is disposed in the recess.
8. The application device of claim 1 , and further comprising an actuation protrusion connected to the impactor for allowing an operator to manually position the impactor along the substantially arcuate path.
9. The application device of claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a wider portion for passage of a microneedle array therethrough.
10. The application device of claim 1 , wherein an acceleration rate of the microneedle array toward the target site is adjustable.
11. The application device of claim 1 , wherein the microneedle array moves along an at least partially arcuate path toward the target site.
12. The application device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the movable end of the drive member serves as the impactor.
13. The application device as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a holding mechanism for holding the movable end of the drive member away from the skin-contacting face of the housing.
14. The application device as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising a trigger for releasing the movable end of the drive member from the holding mechanism.
15. The application device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drive member comprises a leaf spring.
16. An application device for applying a microneedle array comprising:
a housing having a skin-contacting face defining an opening that can be positioned at a target site;
an impactor for impacting the microneedle array and accelerating the microneedle array toward the target site,
wherein the impactor is capable of moving along a substantially arcuate path to move the microneedle array along an arcuate path toward the opening of the skin-contacting face of the housing; and
a drive member for biasing the impactor relative to the housing, wherein the drive member has a length extending from a fixed end attached to the housing to a movable end, wherein the drive member is bendably deflectable, relative to the housing, along the length of the drive member, wherein the movable end of the drive member is configured so as to be able to contact and propel the microneedle array, and
wherein the microneedle array is releasably affixed to the movable end of the drive member.
17. The application device of claim 1 , and further comprising:
a torsion spring for biasing the impactor relative to the housing.
18. The application device as claimed in claim 17 , wherein a first position and a second position are defined along the substantially arcuate path, and wherein potential energy stored in the torsion spring when the impactor is positioned relative to the first position differs from when the impactor is positioned relative to the second position.