Method of manufacturing microstructure
Inventors
JUNG, HYUNG-IL • Jeong, Do-Hyeon • Lee, Kwang • Kim, Jung-Dong • Kim, Miroo
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8545741-B2
Publication Date
2013-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided are methods of manufacturing microstructures, in which at least one viscous composition each containing at least one active ingredient is disposed directly or indirectly on a first substrate and/or a second substrate and the viscous composition(s) is elongated between the first and second substrates. The methods are simpler and more cost-effective.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of manufacturing a microstructure by facing the inner surface of a first substrate with the inner surface of a second substrate. A first viscous composition is spotted directly or indirectly on the inner surface of the first substrate at predetermined positions, and a second viscous composition is spotted directly or indirectly on the inner surface of the second substrate at predetermined positions. The method brings the first viscous composition and the second viscous composition into contact by moving the first substrate, the second substrate, or both.
After contact is allowed, the method elongates the first and second viscous compositions by moving the first substrate, the second substrate, or both. The elongated first and second viscous compositions are then solidified, and the solidified first and second viscous compositions are cut at predetermined positions between the first substrate and the second substrate to provide the microstructure.
Variations include solidification by blowing air and cutting by moving at a second speed higher than a first speed, where elongation is performed by moving in opposite directions at the first speed. Additional variants include time periods for sequential elongation and depositing discontinuous layers comprising a plurality of spaced spots.
In further embodiments, the first viscous composition and the second viscous composition include active ingredients that can induce pharmacological or cosmetic effects when being introduced into a subject. The microstructure includes portions with an active ingredient that can induce a first pharmacological or cosmetic effect and at least one other portion with a different active ingredient that induces a pharmacological or cosmetic effect that is the same as or different from the first effect.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims (clm-00001 and clm-00017). Across these independent claims, the inventive features focus on a two-substrate facing approach with dual viscous compositions spotted at predetermined positions, followed by contact, elongation, solidification, and cutting to form a microstructure.
Two substrate facing with dual viscous compositions spotted at predetermined positions
Facing the inner surface of a first substrate with the inner surface of a second substrate, with a first viscous composition spotted on the inner surface of the first substrate at predetermined positions and a second viscous composition spotted on the inner surface of the second substrate at predetermined positions.
Contact by relative movement to enable elongation
Moving the first substrate, the second substrate, or both to allow the first viscous composition and the second viscous composition to become in contact and then to allow the first viscous composition and the second viscous composition to be elongated.
Solidification of elongated first and second viscous compositions and cutting between substrates
Solidifying the elongated first and second viscous compositions and cutting the solidified first and second viscous compositions at predetermined positions between the first substrate and the second substrate to provide a microstructure.
Opposite-direction elongation at first speed and solidification by air blowing
Moving the first substrate, the second substrate, or both in opposite directions at a first speed to allow the first viscous composition and the second viscous composition to be elongated, and blowing air directly or indirectly to the first and second viscous compositions to solidify the first and second viscous compositions.
Cutting by moving at second speed higher than first speed
Moving the first substrate, the second substrate, or both at a second speed higher than the first speed so as to cut the solidified first and second viscous compositions.
The independent claims collectively cover forming microstructures by facing two substrates carrying two viscous compositions spotted at predetermined positions, bringing the compositions into contact and elongating them, solidifying the elongated compositions, and then cutting between the substrates. One independent claim further specifies opposite-direction elongation at a first speed with air blowing for solidification, followed by cutting via a second speed higher than the first speed.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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