Apparatus and method for piercing skin with microprotrusions

US7131960B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ALZA CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Joseph C. Trautman · Sunnyvale, US
• Richard L. Keenan · Livermore, US
• Ahmad Samiee · Sunnyvale, US
• WeiQi Lin · Emerald Hills, US
• Michel Cormier · Mountain View, US
• James Matriano · Mountain View, US
• Peter Daddona · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 12, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 7, 2006
• Expiry date: Apr 13, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2037/0046
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and device are described for applying a microprotrusion member (44) including a plurality of microprotrusions (90) to the stratum corneum with impact. The method and device are used to improve transport of an agent across the skin for agent delivery or sampling. The applicator (10, 60, 80) causes the microprotrusion member (44) to impact the stratum corneum with a certain amount of impact determined to effectively pierce the skin with the microprotrusions (90). The preferred applicator (10, 60, 80) impacts the stratum corneum with the microprotrusion member (44) with an impact of at least 0.05 joules per cm2 of the microprotrusion member (44) in 10 msec or less.