MICRONEEDLE DEVICES

摘要

Microneedles and microarrays comprising such microneedles are described. The microneedles comprise: a base; a shaft portion extending from the base to a second end distal from the base; a microblade structure extending from the second end; capillary spaces associated with the microblade structure; and a coating in the capillary spaces, the coating comprising an active component. The invention also provides a method for delivering an active component through mammalian skin, comprising: applying the medical device to mammalian skin so that the at least one microneedle is inserted through the stratum corneum and the active component is exposed to interstitial fluids; and allowing the at least one microneedle to remain inserted through the stratum corneum for a sufficient amount of time to dissolve the active component. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for applying an active component to a microneedle, comprising: providing a microneedle, comprising: a base, a shaft portion extending from the base to a second end distal from the base, a microblade structure extending from the second end, and capillary spaces associated with the microblade structure; applying a liquid coating to at least the microblade structure of the microneedle, the liquid coating comprising an active component; and drying the liquid coating to provide a dried coating of active component, the dried coating located at least within the capillary spaces of the microblade structure.