Microneedle arrays and methods of use thereof
View Patent ↗A method of treating a patient with a microneedle array having an active agent disposed on at least a portion of one or more of the microneedles, wherein the array with active agent is characterized by a first optical response when probed with a selected incident light spectrum. The array with active agent is applied to a skin surface, optionally allowed to remain on the skin surface for a specified time, and removed. The used array is probed with the selected incident light spectrum, a second optical response is sensed, and the difference between the first optical response and the second optical response is determined and compared to a predetermined threshold value.
1. A drug delivery device comprising:
a plurality of microneedles arranged on a substrate, each microneedle having a base and a tip;
wherein the tip of one or more of the microneedles has a first optical response when probed with a selected incident light spectrum;
wherein the base of the microneedle has a second optical response when probed with the selected incident light spectrum, the second optical response differing from the first optical response;
an active agent formulation covering at least a portion of the tip of one or more of the microneedles; and
wherein the active agent formulation modulates the first optical response of the microneedles when probed with the selected incident light spectrum.
2. A drug delivery device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first optical response is selected from the group consisting of absorbance, reflection, scattering, fluorescence, image analysis, and phosphorescence.
3. A drug delivery device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first optical response is fluorescence.
4. A drug delivery device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first optical response is absorbance.
5. A drug delivery device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the incident light spectrum comprises visible wavelengths.
6. A drug delivery device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the incident light spectrum comprises ultraviolet wavelengths.
7. A drug delivery device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active agent formulation prevents a portion of the incident light spectrum from reaching one or more of the microneedles.