DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED MICRONEEDLE PENETRATION OF BIOLOGICAL BARRIERS

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 delive ry 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 deliver y 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 dru g to be delivered can be selectively altered. Withdrawal or sensing microneedl e devices preferably include microneedles attached to or integrated into a substrate, and at least one collection chamber and/or sensor in communicatio n with the microneedles.