Microarray applicator
Inventors
Wirtanen, David J. • Puckett, Kevin L. • Schug, James L. • White, David J.
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Assignees
Member
Kindeva Drug DeliveryKindeva Drug Delivery is a contract development and manufacturing organization specializing in advanced drug delivery systems including pulmonary, nasal, injectable, transdermal, and intradermal therapies. Services range from formulation and analytical development to commercial-scale, Annex 1-compliant GMP manufacturing across global facilities. The company brings integrated expertise in regulatory strategy, device engineering, process and technology transfer, and quality assurance, with a focus on sustainable solutions such as low-GWP propellants and microneedle patch platforms. Kindeva supports complex, patient-centric, and environmentally optimized therapies from product conception through commercialization.
Kindeva Drug Delivery is a contract development and manufacturing organization specializing in advanced drug delivery systems including pulmonary, nasal, injectable, transdermal, and intradermal therapies. Services range from formulation and analytical development to commercial-scale, Annex 1-compliant GMP manufacturing across global facilities. The company brings integrated expertise in regulatory strategy, device engineering, process and technology transfer, and quality assurance, with a focus on sustainable solutions such as low-GWP propellants and microneedle patch platforms. Kindeva supports complex, patient-centric, and environmentally optimized therapies from product conception through commercialization.
Publication Number
US-11779740-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
Microarray applicator (10000), a method of using the same and a kit. The microarray applicator comprising a housing (2000), a microarray holder (8100) and a plunger (7000). The plunger comprising a first ridge (7310) and a second ridge (7320), both engagable to a notch (2320). Microarray applicator does not uses springs or pre-biased mechanisms to reduce costs.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a spring-free microarray applicator having a housing with a first major surface configured to be positioned towards skin and defining a bottom of the housing, and a second major surface opposite the first major surface and defining a top of the housing. A cavity extends through the first and second major surfaces, and an interior surface defining the cavity includes one or more notches with a notch depth. A holder is located between the first and second major surfaces for holding at least part of a microneedle device within the housing.
The applicator further includes a plunger having a top, a bottom, and one or more sides, with a first set of one or more ridges located proximate to the bottom of the plunger and a second set of one or more ridges located proximate to the top of the plunger. Each ridge of the first set extends a first width from the one or more sides and each ridge of the second set extends a second width from the one or more sides, with the ridge and notch engagement defining release in a direction towards the bottom of the housing and in a direction towards the top of the housing.
The plunger is configured to slide with the cavity and move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first set of ridges is engaged with the notch and the bottom of the plunger does not extend below the first major surface, while in the second position, the second set of ridges is engaged with the notch and the bottom of the plunger extends below the first major surface.
The second width is equal to or greater than the first width, the second width is equal to or less than the notch depth, and a distance between the first set and the second set is greater than the notch height, and the cavity/notch-and-ridge engagement defines controlled release to eject the microneedle device from a microneedle carrier while pushing microneedles into skin.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim, covering a microarray applicator with a housing cavity/notches and a slidably engaged plunger having two interlocking ridge sets whose engagement changes between a first position and a second position using defined geometric constraints. The independent claim includes three inventive features.
Housing cavity with notches and holder for microneedle device
A housing with a first major surface configured to be positioned towards skin, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, a cavity extending through the first and second major surfaces, an interior surface defining the cavity that includes one or more notches having a notch depth and a notch height defined by a distance between the one or more notches and the first major surface, and a holder located between the first and second major surfaces for holding at least part of a microneedle device within the housing.
Two ridge sets interlock with notches to provide controlled release forces
A plunger having a top, a bottom, and one or more sides, with a first set of one or more ridges proximate to the bottom and a second set of one or more ridges proximate to the top, wherein engagement of ridges with the notch provides release in opposing directions towards the bottom or towards the top of the housing under forces that are substantially the same for each ridge set.
First and second plunger positions based on which ridge set is engaged
Geometric relationships wherein the second width is equal to or greater than the first width, the second width is equal to or less than the notch depth, and a distance between the first set of ridges and the second set of ridges is greater than the notch height, and wherein the plunger is slidably engageable with the cavity to move between a first position (first set engaged; plunger bottom does not extend below the first major surface) and a second position (second set engaged; plunger bottom extends below the first major surface).
Across the independent claim, the inventive coverage is directed to a housing cavity with notches and a holder for a microneedle device, combined with a slidably engaged plunger having two interlocking ridge sets that alternately engage the notches between a first position and a second position using specific geometric constraints (ridge widths relative to notch depth, and ridge spacing relative to notch height).
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?