Micro-needle array and method of use thereof
View Patent ↗A micro-needle array is provided that may be used to deliver a bioactive agent to a therapeutic target. The micro-needle array preferably includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles integral with the substrate, and a bioactive agent. At least one micro-needle preferably includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a cavity defined by an inner surface. The bioactive agent may be disposed on the substrate and the plurality of micro-needles. The at least one micro-needle may further include a slit connecting the cavity to an aperture, the slit extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.
1. A micro-needle array comprising:
a substrate;
a plurality of micro-needles integral with the substrate, wherein at least one micro-needle comprises a body comprising:
a top surface,
a bottom surface,
a side surface extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and
a cavity within the body and defined by an inner surface, the cavity extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; and
a bioactive agent disposed on the substrate and the plurality of micro-needles,
wherein the at least one micro-needle further comprises a slit connecting the cavity to an aperture on the side surface, the slit extending from the top surface to the bottom surface,
wherein the slit has a closed configuration and an open configuration.
2. The micro-needle array of claim 1 wherein the cavity has a volume of about 4 cubic microns to about 0.140 cubic millimeters.
3. The micro-needle array of claim 1 wherein the at least one micro-needle has a base length of about 10 μm to about 250 μm and a height of about 10 μm to about 250 μm.
4. The micro-needle array of claim 1 wherein the at least one micro-needle has a passive configuration in which the at least one micro-needle is generally aligned with the substrate and an active configuration in which the at least one micro-needle is generally extending from the substrate.
5. The micro-needle array of claim 1 wherein the at least one micro-needle comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel alloys and nickel-titanium alloys.
6. The micro-needle array of claim 1 wherein the micro-needle array is disposed on or integrally formed with one of a balloon catheter or a stent.
7. The micro-needle array of claim 1 wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, rapamycin, a rapamycin derivative, an antisense oligonucleotide, and a mTOR inhibitor.
8. The micro-needle array of claim 1 wherein the micro-needle array is fabricated using a process selected from the group consisting of stereolithography, lamininated object manufacturing, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, CNC laser-cutting, and 3-D printing.
9. The micro-needle array of claim 1 wherein the at least one micro-needle has a base length of about 10 μm to about 250 μm and a height of about 10 μm to about 250 μm, wherein the cavity defines a volume of about 4 cubic microns to about 0.140 cubic millimeters, wherein said micro-needle has a passive configuration in which the at least one micro-needle is generally aligned with the substrate and an active configuration in which the at least one micro-needle is generally extending from the substrate, and wherein said micro-needle comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel alloys and nickel-titanium alloys.
10. The micro-needle array of claim 9 wherein the at least one micro-needle comprises a slit connecting the cavity to an aperture on the side surface, the slit extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.
11. A micro-needle array comprising:
a substrate;
a plurality of micro-needles integral with the substrate, wherein at least one micro-needle comprises a body comprising:
a top surface,
a bottom surface,
a side surface extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and
a cavity within the body and defined by an inner surface, the cavity extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; and
a bioactive agent disposed on the substrate and the plurality of micro-needles,
wherein the at least one micro-needle has a base length of about 10 μm to about 250 μm and a height of about 10 μm to about 250 μm, wherein the cavity defines a volume of about 4 cubic microns to about 0.140 cubic millimeters, wherein said micro-needle has a passive configuration and an active configuration, and wherein said micro-needle comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel alloys and nickel-titanium alloys,
wherein the at least one micro-needle comprises a slit connecting the cavity to an aperture on the side surface, the slit extending from the top surface to the bottom surface,
wherein the slit has a closed configuration and an open configuration.