Methods and devices for delivering agents across biological barriers
View Patent ↗The invention provides for microneedle devices for delivering agents across biological barriers. The microneedles include agent reservoirs integrated into the bodies of the microneedles, themselves.
1. A method of manufacturing a device for delivering an agent across a biological barrier comprising:
providing a first microneedle having a first integrated reservoir which is an opening through the entirety of the width of the first microneedle, wherein the first microneedle extends from a first substrate, wherein a first depth guard extends from the first substrate, and wherein the first microneedle, the first substrate, and the first depth guard are integrally formed as a continuous single unit; and
filling the first integrated reservoir with an agent by selectively depositing a predetermined volume of the agent into the first integrated reservoir utilizing a micropipette or a syringe, such that the agent is contained predominantly within the interior volume of the microneedle.
2. The method of manufacturing a device for transdermal delivery of an agent of claim 1 wherein filling the integrated agent reservoir comprises applying a hydrophilic compound to the interior of the integrated reservoir and applying a hydrophobic compound to a remainder of the microneedle.
3. The method of manufacturing a device for transdermal delivery of an agent of claim 1 further comprising
providing a second microneedle having a second integrated reservoir which is an opening through the entirety of the width of the second microneedle wherein the second microneedle extends from a second substrate, wherein a second depth guard extends from the second substrate, and wherein the second microneedle, the second substrate, and the second depth guard are integrally formed as a continuous single unit; and
filling the second integrated reservoir with an agent by selectively depositing a predetermined volume of the agent into the first integrated reservoir utilizing a micropipette or a syringe, such that the agent is contained predominantly within the interior volume of the microneedle.
4. The method of manufacturing a device for delivering an agent across a biological barrier of claim 1 , wherein the first integrated reservoir comprises between about 50% - 70% of the volume of the first microneedle.