# US 8,540,672 B2 · Microneedle patch applicator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,672 B2 - Document ID: US8540672B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/332,065 - Filed: 2011-12-20 - Published: 2012-07-19 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-22 - Assignees: Valeritas, Inc. - Applicants: Devin V. McAllister - Inventors: Devin V. McAllister - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540672B2 ## CPC - A61M 37/0015: {by using microneedles} - A61B 17/205: {Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices} - A61B 50/30: Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments (for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40) - A61M 2037/0023: {Drug applicators using microneedles} - A61M 2209/06: Packaging for specific medical equipment - 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)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method and apparatus for application of a microneedle patch to a skin surface of a patient includes use of an applicator. The applicator includes a housing, a slidably disposed applicator plate, and a compression spring. The applicator plate is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, and has an engaging surface suitable for mashing up against a microneedle patch and pressing it against a skin surface. A docking system transfers the microneedle patch from a support to the applicator without requiring a user to handle the microneedle patch directly. Once mounted in the applicator, the microneedle patch is deployed against a skin surface of a patient for delivery of a desired agent via a microneedle array contained on the patch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A microneedle patch applicator system, comprising: an applicator, comprising: a housing; a slidably disposed applicator plate, moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position in a reciprocating manner, the applicator plate having an engaging surface; a compression spring mounted in such a way that imparts a spring force to the applicator plate when the applicator plate is in the retracted position; a microneedle patch docking mechanism configured in such a way that the docking mechanism captures and holds a microneedle patch in a position proximal the engaging surface of the applicator plate while the applicator plate is in the retracted position; and a latch mechanism that when latched holds the applicator plate in place and when unlatched permits the applicator plate to move; and the microneedle patch disposed on a support; wherein upon placement of the applicator onto the microneedle patch and the support, application of force to the applicator causes retraction of the applicator plate to the retracted position and capture of the microneedle patch by the docking mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises a trigger mechanism configured in such a way that activation of the trigger mechanism unlatches the latch mechanism. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein when the latch mechanism is in an unlatched position, the applicator plate is capable of retraction to the retracted position in response to a force applied to the applicator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein unlatching of the latch mechanism when the applicator plate is in the retracted position releases the applicator plate enabling movement from the retracted position to the deployed position with a kinetic energy of between about 0.1 lbf*in and about 10 lbf*in, and preferably between about 1 lbf*in and about 2 lbf*in. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein the applicator deploys the microneedle patch with sufficient force to anchor the microneedle patch to a skin surface with a plurality of microneedles disposed thereon. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein the microneedle patch comprises a plurality of microneedles configured for anchoring the microneedle patch to a skin surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein the microneedle patch comprises a plurality of microneedles configured to contain and deliver a bioactive agent upon attaching to a skin surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein the microneedle patch is stored in a sterile packaging prior to use in the applicator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein the microneedle patch is stored together with the support in a sterile packaging prior to use of the microneedle patch in the applicator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein the microneedle patch contains one or more bioactive agents disposed thereon. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a perimeter defining an internal area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 11, wherein an elevated hub is disposed at a location that is substantially at a center point of the internal area. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 12, wherein the elevated hub comprises a substantially mesa shape with a hollow center at a substantially flat portion of a top of the elevated hub. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The microneedle patch applicator system of claim 12, wherein the elevated hub has a hollow center.