DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING FLUID ACROSS A BIOLOGICAL BARRIER

摘要

A device (10) and method for tranporting fluids across biological barriers enhances penetration of a biological barrier by the use of directional insertion, preferably with asymmetric microneedles and/or microneedles with sharp edges. Additionally, or alternatively, adhesion followed by alteration of constant geometry is employed to stretch the biological barrier across the microneedles, thereby also anhancing penetration. Also disclosed is a device and method which combine shallow penetration of hollow microneedles with jet injection via the microneedles to achieve a total liquid penetration depth greater than the mechanical penetration depth of the microneedles.