Microneedles and microneedle fabrication
AssigneeAgency for Science, Technology and Research
InventorsYuan Xu, Mei Ma Chen, Zhongli Li, Chee Yen Lim, Pei Ying Joyce Tan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A master mould is made by wire cutting a plate in two or more directions to provide a base with an array of master mould needles protruding therefrom. The size and shape of the master mould needles can readily be varied by varying the angles of upward and downward cuts in the two or more directions. The master mould is used to make a secondary mould by hot embossing a secondary mould plate onto the master mould. This forms through-holes in the secondary mould. The secondary mould is plated with a layer of metal, which forms a microneedle array.
Claims31
A method of manufacturing a master mould for use in making microneedles, from a block of a first material, the method comprising:
- cutting across the block in at least two cutting passes in different directions to provide a master mould comprising a master mould base surface with a plurality of master mould needles protruding therefrom, wherein in each cutting pass at least one surface of each of the plurality of protruding master mould needles are formed;
- wherein the master mould needles correspond to the microneedles to be made.
A method of manufacturing a secondary mould for use in making microneedles, comprising:
- providing a master mould for use in making microneedles from a block of a first material by cutting across the block in at least two cutting passes in different directions to provide a master mould comprising a master mould base surface with a plurality of master mould needles protruding therefrom, wherein in each cutting pass at least one surface of each of the plurality of protruding master mould needles is formed and wherein the master mould needles correspond to the microneedles to be made;
- forming, on the master mould, a secondary mould such that the secondary mould has formed on a first surface of the secondary mould, in contact with the master mould base surface during forming the secondary mould, the holes corresponding to the master mould needles and extending from the first surface, to an opposing, second surface of the secondary mould;
- and
- removing the secondary mould from the master mould.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.