Apparatus and method for piercing skin with microprotrusions

摘要

A method and device are described for applying a microprotrusion member ( 44 ) including a plurality of microprotrusions ( 90 ) to the stratum corneum with impact. The method and device are used to improve transport of an agent across the skin for agent delivery or sampling. The applicator ( 10, 60, 80 ) causes the microprotrusion member ( 44 ) to impact the stratum corneum with a certain amount of impact determined to effectively pierce the skin with the microprotrusions ( 90 ). The preferred applicator ( 10, 60, 80 ) impacts the stratum corneum with the microprotrusion member ( 44 ) with an impact of at least 0.05 joules per cm² of the microprotrusion member ( 44 ) in 10 msec or less.