Microneedle, apparatus for manufacturing microneedle, and method of manufacturing microneedle using apparatus
Inventors
Park, Jung Hwan • JEONG, Hye Rin • Park, Jee Hyun
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10980993-B2
Publication Date
2021-04-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed are a microneedle, an apparatus for manufacturing a microneedle including a support part containing a medicinal solution for coating a microneedle, a controller for controlling the temperature of the medicinal solution contained in the support part, and a dryer for drying the medicinal solution coated on the microneedle, and a method of manufacturing the microneedle using the apparatus. According to the configuration, the temperature of the medicinal solution can be adjusted such that a viscosity suitable for coating with the medicinal solution is maintained, whereby the quality of a microneedle coated with the medicinal solution can be improved, and denaturation of active ingredients in the medicinal solution can be prevented, which causes stability increase.
Core Innovation
The disclosure relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a microneedle coated with a medicinal solution. The apparatus includes a support part containing a medicinal solution for coating a microneedle and a controller configured to control the temperature of the medicinal solution, lowering the temperature and maintaining it at a predetermined temperature during manufacturing.
The controller comprises a temperature holding member installed at a bottom of the support part to maintain the temperature of the medicinal solution and a cooling member provided at a bottom of the support part to cool the support part. The temperature holding member is provided between the cooling member and the support part and comprises a Peltier effect device, while the cooling member comprises a cooling fan cooled by a refrigerant.
The disclosure further describes a chamber in which the support part and the controller are installed, with an internal temperature that is adjustable, and a dryer configured to dry the microneedle. At least one of the medicinal solution, an internal space of the chamber in which the microneedle is coated, and a space in which the microneedle is dried is lowered and maintained at a predetermined temperature.
The background describes that temperature control is needed to maintain viscosity for uniform coating and to prevent denaturation and evaporation. It further states that viscosity and evaporation rate depend on temperature, and that increased viscosity contributes to improved coating results including coating height, uniformity, and surface coating.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims focused on temperature-controlled manufacturing of a medicinally coated microneedle. The claims center on a controller architecture using a temperature holding member and a cooling member, with one independent claim further requiring an adjustable-temperature chamber and a dryer.
Temperature-controlled microneedle coating apparatus with Peltier temperature holding and refrigerant-cooled fan
An apparatus for manufacturing a microneedle coated with a medicinal solution, comprising a support part containing a medicinal solution for coating a microneedle; a controller configured to control the temperature of the medicinal solution and to lower the temperature and maintain it at a predetermined temperature; a temperature holding member installed at a bottom of the support part to maintain the temperature of the medicinal solution; and a cooling member provided at a bottom of the support part to cool the support part, wherein the temperature holding member is provided between the cooling member and the support part, comprises a Peltier effect device, and the cooling member comprises a cooling fan cooled by a refrigerant.
Apparatus with adjustable-temperature chamber and temperature-controlled drying
An apparatus for manufacturing a microneedle coated with a medicinal solution, comprising a support part containing a medicinal solution for coating a microneedle; a controller configured to control the temperature of the medicinal solution; a chamber in which the support part and the controller are installed and an internal temperature of which is adjustable; and a dryer configured to dry the microneedle, wherein the temperature of at least one of the medicinal solution, an internal space of the chamber in which the microneedle is coated, and a space in which the microneedle is dried is lowered and maintained at a predetermined temperature, and the controller includes the temperature holding member and the cooling member as described.
The claims are directed to temperature control of the medicinal solution for microneedle coating using a Peltier effect temperature holding member and a refrigerant-cooled cooling fan, with one independent claim additionally covering an adjustable-temperature chamber and a dryer.
Stated Advantages
Maintains viscosity for uniform coating.
Prevents denaturation and evaporation.
Improves coating results, including coating height and uniformity.
Increases surface coating with higher viscosity.
Documented Applications
Manufacturing a microneedle coated with a medicinal solution by immersion coating in a cooled chamber and drying coated microneedles under temperature-controlled conditions.
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