Device for enhancing transdermal agent flux
A device ( 3 ) comprising a sheet member ( 6 ) having a plurality of microprotrusions ( 4 ) for penetrating the skin and a rigid support ( 15 ) contacting and extending across the sheet member ( 6 ) for transmitting an applied force evenly across the length and width of the sheet member ( 6 ) to reproducibly and reliably penetrate the skin with the microprotrusions ( 4 ).
1. An applicator for applying a member having a plurality of skin piercing microprotrusions to skin, the applicator comprising a head for applying a skin piercing force to the member, the head having a surface adapted to engage the member, the surface having a shape selected from the group consisting of convex, curved and cylindrical.
2. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the surface has a convex shape.
3. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the surface has a radius of curvature of greater than about 5 cm.
4. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the surface has a radius of curvature of greater than about 10 cm.
5. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the head is adapted to impact the member against the skin.
6. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the head is spring-loaded.
7. The applicator of claim 1 , including a manually activated mechanism for impacting the member against the skin.
8. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the applicator includes a handle operatively connected to the head.
9. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the member comprises a sheet having a plurality of microprotrusions extending from a skin proximal surface or edge thereof.
10. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the microprotrusions are adapted to pierce the skin to a depth of up to about 500 μm.
11. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the surface has a shape which approximates a curved or convex shape.
12. The applicator of claim 11 , wherein the surface has a frustum shape.
13. A method of piercing skin with a plurality of microprotrusions, comprising providing a member having a plurality of skin piercing microprotrusions extending from a body proximal surface or edge thereof, applying a skin-piercing force to a skin distal side or edge of the member with a head, the head having a surface adapted to engage the member, the surface having a shape selected from the group consisting of convex, curved and cylindrical.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the surface has a convex shape.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the surface has a radius of curvature of greater than about 5 cm.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the surface has a radius of curvature of greater than about 10 cm.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the head impacts the member against the skin.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein a spring causes the head to impact the member against the skin.
19. The method of claim 13 , including manually activating the head to impact the member against the skin.
20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the member comprises a sheet having a plurality of microprotrusions extending from a skin proximal surface or edge thereof.
21. The method of claim 13 , wherein the microprotrusions are adapted to pierce the skin to a depth of up to about 500 μm.
22. The method of claim 13 , wherein the surface has a shape which approximates a curved or convex shape.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the surface has a frustum shape.