Microneedles to be placed in the skin for the transdermal application of pharmaceuticals
An array for placement on the skin of a human or animal patient for the purpose of the transdermal application of pharmaceuticals, toxins or active agents, having microneedles that are situated on a carrier substrate, the microneedles having a preset breaking point in the area of the transition to the carrier substrate.
1. An array to be placed on the skin of a human patient or an animal patient for transdermally applying pharmaceuticals, toxins or active agents, comprising:
a carrier substrate; and
microneedles situated on the carrier substrate, the microneedles having a preset breaking point in an area of a transition to the carrier substrate, the preset breaking point including one of (a) a material tapering and (b) a constriction.
2. The array of claim 1 , wherein the carrier substrate is planar.
3. The array of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the microneedles and the carrier substrate are made up of a material containing silicon.
4. The array of claim 1 , wherein the microneedles have one of a partially porous structure and a completely porous structure.
5. The array of claim 1 , wherein the microneedles are in the form of cannulas.
6. The array of claim 1 , wherein the planar carrier substrate is able to remain on the skin, after the array is placed on the skin.
7. The array of claim 1 , wherein the needles have a structure on their surface that functions as a barbed hook.
8. The array of claim 1 , wherein the microneedles are arranged in one of a rectangular array, a hexagonal array, and a random array.
9. The array of claim 1 , wherein the array is one of square, rectangular, circular, and oval.
10. The array of claim 1 , wherein the microneedles are made up of a biodegradable material.
11. The array of claim 1 , wherein the microneedles hold in reserve the pharmaceuticals, toxins or active agents to be transdermally applied.
12. The array of claim 1 , wherein the carrier substrate is a flexible carrier substrate.
13. The array of claim 1 , wherein the microneedles include one of a surrounding thin film and a foil.
14. The array of claim 13 , wherein the one of the surrounding thin film and the foil includes a thin polyurethane film.
15. The array of claim 1 , wherein the microneedles include a channel in a sidewall.
16. An array kit, comprising:
an array to be placed on the skin of a human patient or an animal patient for transdermally applying pharmaceuticals, toxins or active agents, including a carrier substrate, and microneedles situated on the carrier substrate, the microneedles having a preset breaking point in an area of a transition to the carrier substrate, the preset breaking point including one of (a) a material tapering and (b) a constriction; and
a cover material to be placed over the array after the array is placed in the skin.