US 6,503,231 B1 · Microneedle device for transport of molecules across tissue

Abstract

Microneedle devices for transport of therapeutic and diagnostic materials and/or energy across tissue barriers, and methods for manufacturing the devices, are provided. The microneedles are hollow and/or porous and have diameters between about 10 nm and 1 mm. The microneedle devices permit drug delivery (or removal or sensing of body fluids) at clinically relevant rates across skin or other tissue barriers, without damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. Microfabrication techniques are used to cost-effectively produce arrays of microneedles from metals, silicon, silicon dioxide, ceramic, and polymeric materials. Methods are provided for making porous or hollow microneedles.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A device for transport of material or energy across biological barriers comprising:

a plurality of hollow microneedles having a length between 100 μm and 1 mm, and
a substrate to which the microneedles are attached or integrally formed, the microneedles extending at an angle from the substrate,
wherein the microneedles are made by a microfabrication technique from a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon dioxide, metals, ceramics, and combinations thereof, and
wherein each microneedle has a shaft, a portion of which comprises one or more substantially annular bores or channels therethrough and which has a width between about 1 μm and 100 μm.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microneedle device for transport of molecules across tissue

Life of this patent

Microneedle device for transport of molecules across tissue

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12