Device for applying a microneedle array

1. A device for applying a microneedle array to a skin surface comprising:

a base defining a skin contacting plane;

an array component having a skin facing side comprising a microneedle array;

a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member having a first portion affixed through a first hinge to the base and a second portion affixed to the array component through a second hinge;

wherein the connecting member has a first equilibrium position with the microneedle array in a recessed position within the device;

wherein the connecting member has a second equilibrium position with the microneedle array positioned so that at least a portion of the microneedle array penetrates a skin surface after removal of pressure that moves the connecting member from the first equilibrium position to the second equilibrium position;

wherein in the second equilibrium position, the second hinge is closer to the skin contacting plane than the first hinge; and

wherein the device comprises at least one of the following:

(i) the connecting member comprises one or more non-linear sections,

(ii) the cross-sectional thickness of the base is larger than the cross-sectional thickness of the connecting member, or

(iii) the first hinge is selected from the group consisting of (a) a separate hinge component and (b) a living hinge.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device has four connecting members.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a pressure-sensitive skin adhesive disposed along the skin-contacting plane.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the microneedle array is substantially parallel to the skin contacting plane in both the first equilibrium position and the second equilibrium position.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the microneedle array remains substantially parallel to the skin contacting plane when moving from the first equilibrium position to the second equilibrium position.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one connecting member, at least one hinge, and the base are integrally formed.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one connecting member, at least one hinge, the base, and the array component are integrally formed.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the array component and at least one connecting member are formed of dissimilar materials.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device is in the first equilibrium position and further comprises a covering member releasably affixed to the base.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the microneedle array comprises a plurality of microneedles with a height of less than about 500 microns.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the array component comprises a backing plate and a microneedle array.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the microneedle array is releasably attached to the backing plate.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the microneedle array further comprises a dried coating on at least a portion of the microneedle surfaces.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the dried coating comprises a drug.

15. A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the dried coating comprises a vaccine.

16. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein in the first equilibrium position, the second hinge is farther from the skin contacting plane than the first hinge.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein in the first equilibrium position, the microneedle array is between the first hinge and the second hinge, with respect to the skin contacting plane.

18. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein in the first equilibrium position, at the first hinge, the connecting member and the base form an obtuse angle on a skin facing side.

19. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pressure that moves the connecting member from the first equilibrium position to the second equilibrium position moves the connecting member relative to the array component.

20. A method of applying a microneedle array to a skin surface comprising the steps of:

providing a device a base defining a skin contacting plane;

an array component having a skin facing side comprising a microneedle array;

a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member having a first portion affixed through a first hinge to the base and a second portion affixed to the array component; through a second hinge;

wherein the connecting member has a first equilibrium position with the microneedle array in a recessed position within the device;

wherein the connecting member has a second equilibrium position with the microneedle array positioned so that at least a portion of the microneedle array penetrates a skin surface after removal of pressure that moves the connecting member from the first equilibrium position to the second equilibrium position;

wherein in the second equilibrium position, the second hinge is closer to the skin contacting plane than the first hinge;

wherein the device comprises at least one of the following:

(i) the connecting member comprises one or more non-linear sections,

(ii) the cross-sectional thickness of the base is larger than the cross-sectional thickness of the connecting member, or

(iii) the first hinge is selected from the group consisting of (a) a separate hinge component and (b) a living hinge;

placing the device on a skin surface; and

applying a force to the array component sufficient to move the plurality of connecting members to the second equilibrium position.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the force is applied using a mechanical applicator.