Abstract:
A device and method for dermal filling using microneedles is disclosed. A microneedle device including at least two hollow microneedles arranged in at least one row, the row defining a treatment vector of the device, is used to intradermally inject a dermal filler composition into the skin of a subject along a pre-defined line in the skin where dermal filling, cosmetic repair or augmentation of tissue is desired. The device and method reduces or eliminates pain, and provides a safer, more effective administration method. The method also enables reduction in the required number of treatments (and re-treatments) due to an improved stability of the filler in these shallower depths within the skin; smoother contours due to a more even distribution of the filler within the skin; easier application for curved wrinkle lines (as opposed to hypodermic needles that are long and straight); and filling of very fine lines and wrinkles which are not accessible with regular needles.
Abstract:
An intradermal mini-needle interface has a penetration limiter providing a skin contact edge and a hollow hypodermic needle having a beveled penetrating portion protruding forward beyond the skin contact edge by no more than 3 mm. At least one skin contact surface defines a skin contact plane parallel to, or at a shallow angle to, the needle axis. The skin contact plane intersects the skin contact edge substantially at a base of the penetrating portion. Preferably, the penetration limiter is asymmetric under rotation about the needle axis.
Abstract:
An injection device and corresponding method for delivery of an injection fluid into a flexible biological barrier employ a substrate (1) having a surface which includes a contact surface (3) to be brought into facing contact with the surface of the biological barrier, a second surface (4) distanced from the contact surface (3) by a pivot region (5), the angle (A) between the projection (5') of the pivot region (5) and the second surface (4) being in the range 20?-50?, and a microneedle (20) projecting from the substrate surface at a microneedle location on or adjacent to the contact surface (3). The disposition of the contact (3) and second (4) surfaces, the pivot region (5) and the microneedle (20) is such that the contact surface (3) of the device can be brought into facing contact with the surface of the biological barrier such that the microneedle (20) becomes inserted into the biological barrier, the substrate (1) can then be rotated about the pivot region (5) such that the microneedle (20) engaged with the biological barrier moves in an arc and pulls the biological barrier so engaged in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the biological barrier until the second surface (4) comes into facing contact with the biological barrier.
Abstract:
A method for forming a hollow microneedle structure includes processing the front side of a wafer to form at least one microneedle projecting from a substrate and a through-bore passing through the microneedle and through a thickness of the substrate. An entire length of the through-bore is formed by a dry etching process performed from the front side of the wafer. Most preferably, upright surfaces of the microneedle structure and the through bore of the structure are formed by dry etching performed via a single mask with differing depths obtained by harnessing aspect ratio limitations of the dry etching process.
Abstract:
A method for forming a hollow microneedle structure includes processing the front side of a wafer (10) to form at least one microneedle (30) projecting from a substrate with a first part (18) of a through-bore, formed by a dry etching process, passing through the microneedle and through a part of a thickness of the substrate. The backside of the wafer (10) is also processed to form a second part (16) of the through-bore by a wet etching process.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a medical injection system for the intradermal injection of two or more fluid substances via micro-needles, and most preferably via a linear array of micro-needles, although the array need not be linear. Injecting two fluid substances contained in two separate chambers of the delivery device can be done by various methods. These methods may be generally categorized as, a) sequential injection, b) simultaneous injection, c) parallel injection and d) closed-loop injection processes. The present invention includes devices configured to perform all three of these methods.
Abstract:
The present invention is a balloon angioplasty device (10) which provides a combination of cutting elements (18) to enhance dilation of an artery together with controlled drug delivery directed towards the regions of cutting. The invention is preferably implemented using rows of hollow microneedles (22) to serve both as the cutting elements (18) and the drug delivery conduits (20). The invention also provides a corresponding method in which a drug is delivered via conduits located within cutting elements (18) around the exterior of a balloon angioplasty device (10) during or immediately subsequent to inflation of the balloon within a blood vessel.
Abstract:
A device (100, 200) for superficial abrasive treatment of the skin includes a skin interface element (102, 202) with a number of protrusions (106, 206) projecting to a height above a substrate (104, 204) of no greater than 200 microns. A vibration generating mechanism (108, 208) is mechanically linked to the skin interface element (102, 202) so as to generate vibratory motion of the skin interface element (102, 202).
Abstract:
A microstructure structure (18) for transferring a substance through the surface of the skin, comprising a substrate (20) having a first side (24) and a second side (26) and at least one microstructure (22) projecting from the second side of the substrate. The micrstructure has at least one hollow (52). The hollow is isolated from the fluid connection with the first side of the substrate. The hollow is configured such that, when the microstructure is inserted through the surface of the skin, at least part of the substance is transferred through the surface of the skin in the hollow.
Abstract:
An armor panel configured for protecting a body from an incoming projectile having a movement axis and configured for spinning about the axis. The armor panel comprises a plurality of armor strips attached to each other. The panel has a front face configured for facing the projectile and a rear face configured for facing away from the front face. The strips are arranged within the armor panel so that at least a majority thereof are oriented transversely to at least the front face of the armor panel. At least one of the following conditions applies: (i) the strips are connected to each other so that a static friction force Fs1 needs to be applied in order to at least partially disconnect them, and (ii) the material from which at least some of the armor strips are made is such that a static friction force Fs2 needs to be applied in order to at least partially disconnect a portion thereof from its remainder. At least during penetration of the spinning projectile into the armor panel, a dynamic friction force between the spinning projectile and the strips exceeds, under the respective condition, at least one of the Fs1 and Fs2.