VORRICHTUNGEN ZUR VERGRÖSSERTEN PENETRATION VON MIKRONADELN IN BIOLOGISCHEN HAUTSCHICHTEN

摘要

Microneedle devices are provided for delivery of drugs across biological tissue and for controlled sampling of biological fluids in a minimally-invasive, painless, and convenient manner. The devices permit 1) drug delivery at clinically relevant rates across or into skin or other tissue barriers, and/or 2) in vivo sensing or withdrawal of biological fluids from the body, particularly from or through the skin or other tissue barriers. Drug delivery devices preferably include a plurality of hollow microneedles attached to or integrated into a substrate, and at least one reservoir (containing drug) selectably in communication with the microneedles, wherein the amount of drug to be delivered can be selectively altered. Withdrawal or sensing microneedle devices preferably include microneedles attached to or integrated into a substrate, and at least one collection chamber and or sensor in communication with the microneedles. Preferred embodiments further include a means for inducing biological fluid, such as interstitial fluid, to be drawn through the microneedles and into the collection chamber for analysis. Also provided are microneedle devices and methods for the enhanced transport of molecules across tissue by improving the interaction of an array of microneedles and a deformable, elastic biological barrier, such as human skin. The devices and methods act to 1) limit the elasticity, 2) adapt to the elasticity, 3) utilize alternate ways of creating the holes for the microneedles to penetrate the biological barrier, other than the simply direct pressure of the microneedle substrate to the barrier surface, or 4) combination of 1)-3).