# US 10,441,691 B2 · Fluid extraction device, applicator device and associated methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,691 B2 - Document ID: US10441691B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/113,249 - Filed: 2015-01-23 - Published: 2017-01-26 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-23 - Assignees: Renephra Limited - Applicants: Renephra Limited - Inventors: Simon Todd; Ian Middleton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441691B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/150984: {Microneedles or microblades} - A61B 5/150022: {for capillary blood or interstitial fluid} - A61B 5/150099: {by negative pressure, other than vacuum extraction into a syringe by pulling on the piston rod or into pre-evacuated tubes} - A61B 5/15113: {Manually triggered, i.e. the triggering requires a deliberate action by the user such as pressing a drive button} - A61B 5/15117: {comprising biased elements, resilient elements or a spring, e.g. a helical spring, leaf spring, or elastic strap} - A61M 1/76: {Handpieces (specially for suction-irrigation A61M1/774, aspiration tips A61M1/84)} - A61M 1/84: {Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips (for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32)} - A61B 5/14514: {using means for aiding extraction of interstitial fluid, e.g. microneedles or suction} - A61B 5/150412: {Pointed piercing elements, e.g. needles, lancets for piercing the skin (blade-like piercing elements A61B5/150442)} - A61B 2010/008: {Interstitial fluid} - A61M 37/0015: {by using microneedles} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A device for removing fluid from a body, the device comprising an array of microneedles and a housing; the array of microneedles being disposed within the housing and the housing defining a chamber. The microneedles are moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position where, in use in the engaged position, the microneedles penetrate the surface of a body. The chamber is adapted to surround the surface of the body through which the microneedles penetrate when in the engaged position. The chamber is configured for connection to a vacuum device such that negative pressure can be applied to the chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for removing fluid from a body, the device comprising: i) an array of microneedles; ii) a housing, the array of microneedles being disposed within the housing, and the housing defining a chamber; and iii) an applicator for applying the array of microneedles to a surface, wherein the applicator includes a pressure element to contact a contact element associated with the array of microneedles, the contact element being the housing, and a hammer configured to be driven from a primed position to an impact position to deliver an impulse to the pressure element, wherein the pressure element is operably connected to the hammer whereby exertion of a force on the pressure element allows the hammer to be driven from the primed position to the impact position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the microneedles are moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position where, in use in the engaged position, the microneedles penetrate the surface of a body; the chamber is adapted to surround the surface of the body through which the microneedles penetrate when in the engaged position; and the chamber is configured for connection to a vacuum device, such that negative pressure can be applied to the chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2 wherein the array of microneedles is biased towards the disengaged position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3 wherein the device further comprises one or more resilient members which bias the array of microneedles towards the disengaged position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3 wherein the array of microneedles is biased towards the disengaged position after a force has been exerted on the operating means and the microneedles have moved to the engaged position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4 wherein the array of microneedles is coupled to the resilient member following movement to the engaged position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6 wherein the array of microneedles is coupled to the resilient member via engagement of a connector associated with the microneedle array with a complementary connector associated with or operably linked to the resilient member. ### Claim 8 An applicator for applying a microneedle array to a surface, the applicator comprising: a pressure element to contact a contact element associated with a microneedle array to be applied to a surface; and a hammer configured to be driven from a primed position to an impact position to deliver an impulse to the pressure element, wherein the pressure element is operably connected to the hammer whereby exertion of a force on the pressure element allows the hammer to be driven from the primed position to the impact position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The applicator according to claim 8 wherein the contact element is the rear of the microneedle array. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The applicator according to claim 8 wherein the contact element is a housing in which the microneedle array is disposed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A device incorporating an applicator according to claim 8 in combination with a microneedle array. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A method of applying a microneedle array to a surface employing a device according to claim 8 the method comprising: applying the pressure element to a contact element associated with a microneedle array to release the hammer to deliver an impulse to the pressure element and thereby applying the microneedles to the surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The applicator according to claim 8 wherein the hammer is biased towards the impact position, and is retainable in the primed position by a latch element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The applicator according to claim 13 wherein the pressure element is connected to the hammer via the latch element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The applicator according to claim 14 wherein the exertion of said force causes the latch element to be disturbed, thereby releasing the hammer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The applicator according to claim 8 wherein the hammer is biased towards the impact position by a resilient element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The applicator according to claim 8 wherein the pressure element is integral to a latch element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) The applicator according to claim 8 wherein the hammer moves from the primed position to the impact position along an arcuate path or a linear path. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The applicator according to claim 8 wherein the pressure element is adapted for complementary engagement with the contact element associated with the microneedle array, so that the applicator is triggered only when complementary engagement with the contact element associated with the microneedle array is achieved.