Microprojection arrays with enhanced skin penetrating properties and methods thereof
Inventors
Meliga, Stefano • Kendall, Mark Anthony Fernance • Goddard, Robert William
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12090295-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus for delivering an active ingredient into skin of an animal at a defined depth, the apparatus including: a microprojection array including a plurality of microprojections having a density of at least 2,000 projections per cm2; and an applicator that drives the microprojection array towards the skin in use so that the microprojection array impacts on the skin with a mass-to-velocity ratio of between 0.0005 g/m/s and 0.1 g/m/s per cm2.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus for delivering an active ingredient into skin of an animal at a defined depth. The apparatus includes a microprojection array including a plurality of microprojections and an applicator with a driver for driving the microprojection array towards the skin. The microprojection array separates from the driver prior to the microprojection array impacting the skin, so that the microprojection array impacts the skin with a mass-to-velocity ratio of between 0.005 g/m/s and 0.1 g/m/s, wherein the mass impacting the skin is only a mass of the microprojection array.
The described system is configured to deliver the active ingredient at a defined depth while controlling skin response, including fracture and inflammation, and targeting consistency. The mass-to-velocity ratio framework is used to relate driver velocity and microprojection array mass to skin penetration and the mechanical behavior of skin layers under impact. The document additionally reports modeling and measurement results that support penetration-depth prediction and correlation with skin mechanics, including rate-dependent skin stiffening and layered failure behavior.
The invention further describes implementations of the applicator and mechanical arrangement, including releasable mounting of the driver to the microprojection array and driver velocity definition through driver-housing engagement and a biasing mechanism. It also includes experimental and numerical support for how impacting the skin with the specified mass-to-velocity ratio supports desired depth penetration. Example embodiments include coating microprojection tips with fluorescent nanoparticles and histological/confocal measurement of penetration depth.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim covering an apparatus, with the main claim centered on microprojection-array delivery at a defined skin depth using a driver that is releasably attached and separates before skin impact, with the microprojection array impacting the skin using a specified mass-to-velocity ratio. Dependent claims further refine the driver structure and biasing, add quantitative constraints, and narrow the active ingredient to vaccine antigens.
Microprojection array driven into skin at a defined depth
A microprojection array including a plurality of microprojections for delivering an active ingredient into skin of an animal at a defined depth.
Releasably attached driver with separation prior to impact
An applicator comprising a driver releasably attached to the microprojection array for driving the microprojection array towards the skin, where the microprojection array separates from the driver prior to the microprojection array impacting the skin.
Impact controlled by microprojection-array mass-to-velocity ratio
The microprojection array impacts on the skin with a mass-to-velocity ratio of between 0.005 g/m/s and 0.1 g/m/s, wherein the mass impacting the skin is only a mass of the microprojection array.
Active ingredient as one or more vaccine antigens
The active ingredient comprises one or more vaccine antigens.
Overall, the claim coverage focuses on delivering an active ingredient at a defined depth using a microprojection array, with a driver that is releasably attached and separated before impact, and with the impact characterized by a microprojection-array-only mass-to-velocity ratio in the claimed range.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Delivery of active ingredients into skin of an animal at a defined depth, including embodiments where the active ingredient comprises one or more vaccine antigens.
Use with microprojection arrays having microprojection tip coatings with fluorescent nanoparticles and assessment of penetration depth using histological/confocal measurement in a mouse ear example [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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