Patent Grant
11464957
The present invention relates to devices and methods for providing a triggering mechanism which lowers the trigger force to activate the trigger mechanism to a comfortable range of while still preserving or increasing the speed at which the triggering mechanism accelerates or imparts velocity to a device attached to the triggering mechanism. The present invention further relates to improved applicators for administering microprojection arrays to skin and methods of administering microprojection arrays. In particular, the present invention relates to compact stable self-contained mechanical energy storage for delivery of a medical device such as a microprojection array.
Recently, new methods of delivering drugs and other bioactive materials have been developed that are more convenient, provide superior efficacy or enhanced performance compared to intramuscular and intradermal injection. Intradermal injection is limited by cross-contamination through needle-stick injuries in health workers, injection phobia from a needle and syringe, and the inability for needle and syringe methodology to target key cells in the outer skin layers. There still exists a need for a light-weight and compact single use applicator that can be triggered easily by the user without discomfort to the user or patient, and/or enable the patient to use the applicator by self-administration, and/or target the more challenging geriatric and/or paediatric populations. The delivery of a device such as a medical device at high speed (e.g. a high density microprojection array) with minimal user trigger force and pressure on the patient, is highly desirable for the sake of public health.
US Patent Publication No. 2009/0198189 describes a device for applying a microneedle array to a skin surface in which the device is comprised of a base which defines a skin contacting plane, a microneedle array and a connecting member having a portion affixed to the base through a hinge and another portion affixed to the microneedle array.
US Patent Publication No. 2011/0276027 also describes an applicator for microneedles in which the applicator comprises an energy-storing element which upon application of force cause the compressed element to extend or transition from a first to a second configuration releasing the stored energy to deploy a member which is configured to hold a microneedle array.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,672 describes an applicator including a housing, a slidably disposed applicator plate, and a compression spring. The applicator plate is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, and has an engaging surface suitable for mashing up against a microneedle patch and pressing it against a skin surface. A docking system transfers the microneedle patch from a support to the applicator without requiring a user to handle the microneedle patch directly. Once mounted in the applicator, the microneedle patch is deployed against a skin surface of a patient for delivery of a desired agent via a microneedle array contained on the patch.
US Patent Publication No. 2008/0009811 describes an applicator capable of sensing a controlled distance from a skin surface and propelling a microneedle array across this distance and into the skin surface is disclosed. A method of applying a microneedle array to a skin surface by placing the microneedle array a predetermined distance away from the skin surface and propelling the microneedle array into the skin surface is disclosed.
WO 2014/058746 describes an applicator for applying a microneedle device to a skin surface. The applicator can include a microneedle device, a housing, and a connecting member. The connecting member can be configured to allow the microneedle device to move between: (i) a first position in which at least a portion of the microneedle device extends beyond the housing; and (ii) a second position in which the microneedle device is recessed within the housing when a threshold application force is applied to the microneedle device in a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to the microneedle device.
Despite the development of numerous devices for the application of microprojection and microneedle arrays there remain difficulties in devising a device and method for the arrays to overcome the natural elasticity of the skin and penetrating the skin to deliver the required drug dosage while maintaining comfort and ease of use for the patient. This is especially true when the microprojection arrays have a large number of densely packed microprojections in a small area array. The present invention provides devices and methods for projecting high density microprojection arrays (e.g. microprojection arrays having more than 1,000 projections/cm2.
The prior art does not disclose an applicator for microprojection arrays or a method of application of microprojection arrays into the skin where the microprojection array can achieve high velocities thereby delivering the high density microprojection array to efficiently deliver a drug or vaccine such that the patient does not feel discomfort.
In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide for a light and compact single use applicator that can be triggered easily by the user without discomfort to the patient. It would be also desirable to provide applicators that enable the patient to use the applicator by self-administration or by administration by a second party. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide for administration of drugs or vaccine to the more challenging geriatric and/or paediatric populations. It would also be desirable to enable the delivery of high density microprojection arrays at high speed with minimal user trigger force and pressure on the patient. The ease of administration, the reduction in patient discomfort, and the superior delivery of drugs and vaccines are highly desirable for the sake of public health.
The present invention seeks to provide for one or more of the desirable outcomes outlined above, or to at least provide a useful alternative to prior art solutions.
The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.
The present invention relates to compact stable, self-contained mechanical energy storage devices for the administration of a Medical Device such as a microprojection array. The mechanisms and applicators of the present invention provide for actuation of medical devices at high speeds (e.g. 18-24 m/s) using a micro array patch (MAP) low mass (e.g. around 450 mg) while requiring a low trigger force (e.g. 10-25 N) from the user. The devices and methods of the present invention do not cause discomfort to the patient. Such mechanisms may be achieved by putting a high performance asymmetric bi-stable metal dome in a state of partial buckling, which is close to the dome's critical snap-through state, by encasing the dome while it is transiting from an unloaded to loaded state. By putting the dome in a state of partial buckling the dome's trigger force may be reduced such that triggering a device holding such a dome can be accomplished easily. The dome may be encased by forming a plastic over-moulding of the dome's outer rim, by ultrasound crimping plastic ribs over the dome's outer rim, by over moulding a plastic vault with a pattern of stiffening ribs on the dome, by using a folded metal casing, by using a ceramic casing, or by self-encasement of the dome by folding back the dome's edges on itself, or a combination of these approaches.
Metal discs or strips stamped in the shape of a dome or a strip of metal can exhibit bi-stable positions when specifically designed with pre-determined parameters with respect to stamping profile, height, thickness and steel properties. When a static or dynamic load is exerted on the dome, the dome will start buckling until a critical load is reached. Once the critical load is reached the dome suddenly accelerates and inverts its geometry (“snap through”) without further loading.
An asymmetric bi-stable dome may be designed such that the force to load the dome in its energized state is higher than the force required for triggering the dome to return to its unloaded position. This asymmetry means the dome is able to store potential mechanical energy, which can be released in a highly transient timeframe due to a lower energy trigger.
The present invention relates to microprojection array applicators comprising such domes that provide application of microprojection arrays to the skin for the delivery of substances. The dome devices of the present invention are particularly useful for applying small area, high-density microprojection arrays having a large number of densely packed microprojections. In addition, the microprojection array applicators of the present invention are useful in the application of microprojection arrays that are of low mass and which may be projected into the skin by transiting a space between the applicator and the skin. In other words, the device and methods of the present invention provide applicators in which the low mass microprojection array is propelled through space prior to penetrating the skin. In one embodiment, the high density microprojection array has from about 1,000-20,000 projections/cm2, and the array weighs around 450 mg and attains velocities of about 18-24 m/s prior to piercing the skin. Such high microprojection array velocities are normally considered unusual as the delivery of prior art microprojection arrays at high velocities often led to excessive bruising when applied to a patient.
The present invention also relates to methods of using the microprojection array applicators for applying arrays to the skin of a subject. The present invention relates to devices and methods for applying a microprojection arrays to retrieve biometric information for the purposes of diagnostics or for the collection of tissue of fluid samples.
The present invention provides a compact mechanism which enables the design of high density microprojection array applicators, able to provide high-velocities for low trigger forces and low impact on the patient, while containing its stored energy for an extended time.
The devices of the present invention can be used as a mechanical potential energy storage unit and actuator for a device, such as a medical device, for example a microprojection array. In this application the patch is accelerated or struck at high speed by the transiting dome, and propelled toward the patient skin. The attained velocity enables the patch to counter the natural elasticity of the skin and pierce the skin, and ultimately deliver the compounds coated on the microprojections of the array and into the skin tissues.
This mechanical potential energy storage unit and actuator (i.e. dome system) interfaces with the inner mechanism of the applicator (i.e. patch attach inner mechanism) which enables the assembly of the coated patch and its triggering upon contact with the transiting dome. The system provides guidance to the microprojection array while accelerating the array. The system provides a mechanism for preventing the release of the microprojection array during an unintentional triggering.
The dome system and patch attach inner mechanism are lodged in the applicator shell which acts as a sterile and low water ingress barrier. The bottom shell has a closure system, such as a foil lid that may be opened or removed before application of the microprojection array. The bottom shell can incorporate a skin contact membrane that is pierced by the MAP. The top shell has a flexible top that when collapsed actuates the dome system which in turn accelerates the patch toward the patient's skin.
In one broad form, an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a device comprising a dome in an encasement.
In one embodiment, the dome is preloaded with a force.
In one embodiment, the dome has a flattened outer edge.
In one embodiment, the preloaded dome is made of steel and the encasement comprises a folded metal ring, wherein the folded metal ring envelopes the flattened outer edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the folder metal ring continuously envelopes the flattened outer edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the folded metal ring has one or more tabs, wherein the tabs fold over the flattened outer edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the number of tabs is from 2 to 10.
In one embodiment, the folded metal ring envelopes the edge of the dome by bending the tab(s) and the folding the tab(s) onto the edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the tab(s) are folded in a press tool.
In one embodiment, a force required to trigger the preloaded dome is from about 5 to about 50 newtons.
In one embodiment, the preloaded dome has been loaded with a force of from about 100 to about 400 newtons.
In one embodiment, a ratio of a triggering force required to trigger the preloaded dome and a loading force used to load the preloaded dome is from about 1:50 to about 1:5.
In one embodiment, an edge of the dome has been flattened in comparison to an interior of the dome.
In one embodiment, the preloaded dome has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface has an upper edge and the lower surface has a lower edge and the encasement comprises a first metal ring and a second metal ring, wherein the first metal ring is secured to the upper edge of the upper surface of the dome and the second metal ring is secured to the lower edge of the lower surface of the dome.
In one embodiment, the first and second metal rings are secured to the edges of the dome by screws that connect the first metal ring and the second metal ring by penetrating the dome edge.
In one embodiment, the first and second metal rings are secured to the edges of the dome by welds.
In one embodiment, a force required to trigger the preloaded dome is from about 5 to about 50 newtons.
In one embodiment, the preloaded dome has been loaded with a force of from about 100 to about 400 newtons.
In one embodiment, a ratio of a triggering force required to trigger the preloaded dome and a loading force used to load the preloaded dome is from about 1:50 to about 1:5.
In another broad form, the present invention seeks to provide a device for accelerating a projectile comprising an encased dome encased in a casing.
In one embodiment, the dome is encased in a casing made from the group consisting of: plastic, ceramic, aluminium metals, steel, glass, carbon fibers or combinations thereof.
In one embodiment, the casing is made of plastic.
In one embodiment, the plastic is selected from the group consisting of: 15%-50% glass reinforced nylon; and 40% glass reinforced polyphenylene sulphide.
In one embodiment, the dome is encased by a method selected from the group consisting of: by over-moulding of the dome outer rim with plastic, by over moulding a plastic vault with a pattern of stiffening ribs on the dome, by using a folded metal casing, by using a ceramic casing, or by self-encasement of the dome by folding back the dome's edges on itself, or a combination of these approaches.
In one embodiment, the dome is made of austenitic stainless steel.
In one embodiment, the steel is approximately 0.3 mm thick and approximately 31.1 mm in diameter, and wherein there is an approximately 3.0 mm diameter hole in the centre of the dome.
In one embodiment, the steel has a tensile strength of approximately 2050 MPa and a 0.2% offset yield strength of approximately 1975 MPa.
In one embodiment, the device further comprises a plastic vault.
In another broad form, the present inventions seeks to provide a method of accelerating a projectile comprising: encasing a dome in a casing; pre-loading the dome of with a loading force; triggering the pre-loaded dome with a triggering force such that the dome is triggered; and accelerating the projectile.
In one embodiment, the projectile is a microprojection array.
In one embodiment, the ratio of the triggering force and loading force is from about 1:50 to about 1:5.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array attains a velocity of greater than about 15 m/s.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array attains a velocity of greater than about 25 m/s.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array attains a velocity of from about 15 to about 50 m/s.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array attains a velocity of from about 20 to about 26 m/s.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array has from about 1000 to 20000 microprojections.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array has from about 2000 to 10000 microprojections.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array has from about 3000 to 6000 microprojections.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array has a density of from about 1000 to about 20000 microprojections per mm2.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array has a density of from about 1000 to about 20000 microprojections per mm2.
In one embodiment, the triggering force is from about 10 to about 100 newtons.
In one embodiment, the triggering force is from about 10 to about 50 newtons.
In one embodiment, the pre-loading force is from about 100 to about 400 newtons.
In one embodiment, the pre-loading force is from about 150 to about 350 newtons.
In another broad form, the present invention seeks to provide a device for applying a microprojection array to a skin surface comprising: a housing having a base defining an opening that in use is provided in contact with the skin surface; a spigot movably mounted within the housing wherein the spigot supports the microprojection array in use; a trigger; a skin contact membrane provided in the opening; and a biasing member supported by the housing and movable from a first position to a second position upon activation of the trigger, wherein the biasing member urges the microprojection array through the skin contact membrane and into engagement with the skin surface through the opening.
In one embodiment, the biasing member is an overmoulded dome.
In one embodiment, the overmoulded dome is encased in a casing.
In one embodiment, the dome is made of steel and the casing comprises a foldable metal ring wherein the foldable metal ring envelopes an edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the foldable metal ring has one or more tabs.
In one embodiment, the number of tabs is from 2 to 10.
In one embodiment, the foldable metal ring envelopes the edge of the dome by bending the tab(s) and the folding the tab(s) onto the edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the tab(s) are folded in a press tool.
In one embodiment, a force required to trigger the dome is from about 5 to about 50 newtons.
In one embodiment, the dome has been preloaded with a force of from about 100 to about 400 newtons.
In one embodiment, a ratio of a triggering force required to trigger the dome and a loading force used to preload the dome is from about 1:50 to about 1:5.
In one embodiment, an edge of the dome has been flattened in comparison to an interior of the dome.
In one embodiment, the dome has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface has an upper edge and the lower surface has a lower edge and the casing comprises a first metal ring and a second metal ring, wherein the first metal ring is secured to the upper edge of the upper surface of the dome and the second metal ring is secured to the lower edge of the lower surface of the dome.
In one embodiment, the first and second metal rings are secured to the edges of the dome by screws that connect the first metal ring and the second metal ring by penetrating the dome edge.
In one embodiment, the first and second metal rings are secured to the edges of the dome by welds.
In one embodiment, the dome is made of austenitic stainless steel.
In one embodiment, the dome is encased in a casing made from the group consisting of: plastic, ceramic, aluminium metals, steel, glass, carbon fibers or combinations thereof.
In one embodiment, the casing is made of plastic.
In one embodiment, the dome is encased by a method selected from the group consisting of: by plastic over-moulding of the dome outer rim, by over moulding a plastic vault with a pattern of stiffening ribs on the dome, by using a folded metal casing, by using a ceramic casing, or by self-encasement of the dome by folding back the dome's edges on itself, or a combination of these approaches.
In another broad form, the present invention seeks to provide a device for applying a microprojection array to a skin surface comprising: a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and having an internal face and an external face, wherein the external face has a flexible section that when collapsed actuates the device; a spigot having a proximal and distal end, wherein the proximal end interfaces with the internal face of the housing such that when the flexible section of the external face of the housing is collapsed the patch guide is forced downward; an encased dome having an opening through which the patch guide passes, and wherein the dome ring is activated by the patch guide; a microprojection array that is contacted by the encased dome when the dome is activated; a skin contact membrane; and a skin contact applicator base that attaches to the housing.
In one embodiment, the dome is made of steel and the encasement comprises a foldable metal ring, wherein the foldable metal ring envelopes an edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the foldable metal ring has one or more tabs.
In one embodiment, the number of tabs is from 2 to 10.
In one embodiment, the foldable metal ring envelopes the edge of the dome by bending the tab(s) and the folding the tab(s) onto the edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the tab(s) are folded in a press tool.
In one embodiment, a force required to trigger the dome is from about 5 to about 50 newtons.
In one embodiment, the preloaded dome has been loaded with a force of from about 100 to about 400 newtons.
In one embodiment, a ratio of a triggering force required to trigger the dome and a loading force used to load the dome is from about 1:50 to about 1:5.
In one embodiment, an edge of the dome has been flattened in comparison to an interior of the dome.
In one embodiment, the preloaded dome has an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the upper surface has an upper edge and the lower surface has a lower edge and the encasement comprises a first metal ring and a second metal ring wherein the first metal ring is secured to the upper edge of the upper surface of the dome and the second metal ring is secured to the lower edge of the lower surface of the dome.
In one embodiment, the first and second metal rings are secured to the edges of the dome by screws that connect the first metal ring and the second metal ring by penetrating the dome edge.
In one embodiment, the first and second metal rings are secured to the edges of the dome by welds.
In one embodiment, the flexible section of the housing is in the upper portion of the housing.
In one embodiment, the flexible section of the housing is in the lower portion of the housing.
In one embodiment, the flexible section is off-center.
In one embodiment, the device further comprises a membrane support which interfaces with the skin contact applicator base and holds the skin contact membrane in place.
In one embodiment, the device further comprises a cover to at least partially cover the skin contact applicator base.
In one embodiment, the cover keeps the device sterile and prevents fluids from getting in the device.
In one embodiment, the cover is a foil seal.
In one embodiment, the device further comprises a stopping mechanism to prevent the microprojection array from flying out of the device if the device is unintentionally triggered.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array remains attached to the device and can be removed from the skin when device is pulled away from the skin.
In one embodiment, the stopping mechanism is part of the patch guide.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array is a high density array.
In one embodiment, the first external housing has a finger detent for actuating the device.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array has a density of from 5000 to 20,000 projections per cm2.
In one embodiment, the dome achieves a velocity of between about 20 to about 50 meters/second when activated.
In one embodiment, the device is a single use device.
In one embodiment, the device is a disposable device.
In one embodiment, the disposal of the device reduces contaminated waste incineration by using materials that emit a minimum of toxins upon incineration and reduce volume of packaging and device.
In one embodiment, the membrane is made of a polymer film.
In one embodiment, the polymer film is from about 2 to about 20 μm thick.
In one embodiment, the polymer film includes a substance either coated onto the polymer film or within the polymer film.
In one embodiment, the substance has a therapeutic or prophylactic effect.
In one embodiment, the substance is a therapeutic agent to assist in wound healing.
In one embodiment, the substance is a desiccant.
In one embodiment, a desiccant is included inside the device.
In one embodiment, a desiccant is included in the housing and/or molded parts of the device.
In one embodiment, the device also removes the microprojection array from the skin after the microprojection array penetrates the skin.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array can be releasably detached from the device.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array has a mass from about 0.1 grams to about 0.5 grams.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array has a mass of about 0.3 grams.
In one embodiment, the internal portion of the device is sterile.
In one embodiment, the housing forms a sealed sterile barrier and once used the device can be disassembled without contaminated features contacting the user.
In another broad form, the present invention seeks to provide a device comprising a dome which has a flattened outer edge encased in a plastic encasement, wherein the outer edge of the dome is encased in the plastic encasement by ultrasound crimping of plastic ribs over the dome's outer rim.
In one embodiment, a force required to trigger the dome is from about 5 to about 50 newtons.
In one embodiment, the dome has been preloaded with a force of from about 100 to about 400 newtons.
In one embodiment, a ratio of a triggering force required to trigger the dome and a loading force used to preload the dome is from about 1:50 to about 1:5.
In another broad form, the present invention seeks to provide a device for applying a microprojection array to the skin of a mammal, the device comprising a housing and a collapsible trigger operably linked to a pre-loaded dome, wherein the pre-loaded dome is encased in the housing such that when the trigger is collapsed the dome transitions from a loaded position to an unloaded position, thereby propelling the microprojection array into the mammal's skin.
In one embodiment, the dome is encased in the housing by ultrasound crimping.
In one embodiment, the dome has a flattened outer edge
In one embodiment, the ultrasound crimping provides that the housing encases the flattened outer edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the housing that encases the flattened outer edge of the dome encompasses a portion of the flattened edge of the dome.
In one embodiment, the portion of the housing that encases the flattened outer edge of the dome comprises one or more ribs protruding from the housing.
In one embodiment, the device further comprises a microprojection array.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array is embedded in the dome.
In one embodiment, the microprojection array is not embedded in the dome.
It will be appreciated that the broad forms of the invention and their respective features can be used in conjunction, interchangeably and/or independently, and reference to separate broad forms is not intended to be limiting.
Various examples and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: —
The present invention relates to compact stable, self-contained mechanical energy storage devices for the administration of a Medical Device such as a microprojection array. The mechanisms and applicators of the present invention provide for actuation of medical devices at high speeds (e.g. 18-24 m/s) using a micro array patch (MAP) low mass (e.g. around 450 mg) while requiring a low trigger force (e.g. 10-25 N) from the user. The devices and methods of the present invention do not cause discomfort to the patient when the applicator applies the device to the patient.
High performance asymmetric bi-stable domes which provide high speeds in the [18-24] m/s range have a loading force in the range of 200-300 Newtons and a trigger force around 100 Newtons (i.e. an approximate weight of 10 kg at standard gravity acceleration), (See
The devices and methods of the present invention provide a mechanism to lower the force when triggering the application device to a comfortable range of approximately 10-25 Newtons, while preserving or increasing the dome's velocity, such that the dome may accelerate a 450 mg projectile (such as a microprojection array) to a velocity of approximately 18-24 m/s. The domes of the present invention are induced into a partially buckled state by encasing the dome in the applicator, such as by encasing the dome in an over-moulding. The dome may be encased by forming a plastic over-moulding of the dome's outer rim, by ultrasound crimping plastic ribs over the dome's outer rim, by over moulding a plastic vault with a pattern of stiffening ribs on the dome, by using a folded metal casing, by using a ceramic casing, or by self-encasement of the dome by folding back the dome's edges on itself, or a combination of these approaches.
The devices of the present invention must have the dome correctly integrated into the device, applicator or housing so that the energy release generated by triggering the dome is funnelled toward the patch and not lost in random fluctuations. A dome without integration into the device without any encasement (continuous or tabbed metal ring or ultrasound crimping or other methods described herein) will “jump” in the device and as a consequence the acceleration of the patch will be adversely impacted. An efficient coupling of the dome to the patch results in efficient acceleration of the patch and a successful application of the patch to the skin.
In one embodiment the dome may be made from an austenitic stainless steel strip (Sandvik 11R51, 0.3 mm thick), laser cut in an approximately 31.1 mm diameter disc, with a centred, approximately 3.0 mm diameter hole. This particular type of steel has excellent spring properties, with a high tensile strength (2050 MPa), and high yield strength (0.2% offset yield strength of 1975 MPa). Other embodiments of the domes include diameters which range from about 5 to 80 mm, or from about 5 to 70 mm or from about 5 to 60 mm or from about 5 to 50 mm or from about 5 to 40 mm or from about 5 to 30 mm or from about 5 to about 20 mm or from about 10 to 80 mm, or from about 10 to 70 mm or from about 10 to 60 mm or from about 10 to 50 mm or from about 10 to 40 mm or from about 10 to 30 mm or from about 10 to about 20 mm or from about 20 to 80 mm, or from about 20 to 70 mm or from about 20 to 60 mm or from about 20 to 50 mm or from about 20 to 40 mm or from about 20 to 30 mm or from about 30 to 80 mm, or from about 30 to 70 mm or from about 30 to 60 mm or from about 30 to 50 mm or from about 30 to 40 mm or from about 40 to 80 mm, or from about 40 to 70 mm or from about 40 to 60 mm or from about 40 to 50 mm or from about 50 to 80 mm, or from about 50 to 70 mm or from about 50 to 60 mm. The thickness of the dome may be from about 0.1 to 2 mm or from about 0.1 to 1.5 mm or from about 0.1 to 1.0 mm or from about 0.1 to 0.5 mm or from about 0.25 to 2 mm or from about 0.25 to 1.5 mm or from about 0.25 to 1.0 mm or from about 0.25 to 0.5 mm or from about 0.5 to 2 mm or from about 0.5 to 1.5 mm or from about 0.5 to 1.0 mm or from about 0.75 to 2 mm or from about 0.75 to 1.5 mm or from about 0.75 to 1.0 mm or from about 1.0 to 2 mm or from about 1.0 to 1.5 mm or from about 1.5 to 2.0 mm. The hole diameter in the dome may be from about 0% to 70% of the dome or from about 0% to 60% of the dome or from about 0% to 50% of the dome or from about 0% to 40% of the dome or from about 0% to 30% of the dome or from about 0% to 20% of the dome or from about 0% to 10% of the dome or from about 10% to 70% of the dome or from about 10% to 60% of the dome or from about 10% to 50% of the dome or from about 10% to 40% of the dome or from about 10% to 30% of the dome or from about 10% to 20% of the dome or from about 20% to 70% of the dome or from about 20% to 60% of the dome or from about 20% to 50% of the dome or from about 20% to 40% of the dome or from about 20% to 30% of the dome or from about 30% to 70% of the dome or from about 30% to 60% of the dome or from about 30% to 50% of the dome or from about 30% to 40% of the dome or from about 40% to 70% of the dome or from about 40% to 60% of the dome or from about 40% to 50% of the dome or from about 50% to 70% of the dome or from about 50% to 60%. The yield strength of the dome may be from about 400 to 3500 MPa, or from about 400 to 3000 Mpa, or from about 400 to 2500 MPa or from about 400 to 2000 Mpa, or from about 400 to 1500 MPa, or from about 400 to 1000 MPa, or from about 400 to 500 Mpa, or from about 1000 to 3500 MPa or from about 1000 to 3000 Mpa, or from about 1000 to 2500 MPa or from about 1000 to 2000 Mpa, or from about 1000 to 1500 MPa or from about 1500 to 3500 Mpa, or from about 1500 to 3000 MPa, or from about 1500 to 2500 Mpa, or from about 1500 to 2000 MPa, or from about 2000 to 3500 MPa or from about 2000 to 3000 MPa or from about 2000 to 2500 or from about 2500 to about 3500 or from about 2500 to about 3000. The tensile strength of the dome may be from about 250 to 2400 MPa, or from about 250 to 2000 Mpa, or from about 250 to 1500 MPa or from about 250 to 1000 Mpa, or from about 250 to 500 MPa, or from about 500 to 2400 MPa, or from about 500 to 2000 Mpa, or from about 500 to 1500 MPa or from about 500 to 1000 Mpa, or from about 750 to 2400 MPa or from about 750 to 2000 Mpa, or from about 750 to 1500 MPa or from about 750 to 1000 Mpa, or from about 1000 to 2400 MPa, or from about 1000 to 2000 Mpa, or from about 1000 to 1500 MPa, or from about 1500 to 2400 MPa or from about 1500 to 200 MPa.
In one embodiment the dome may be plastically deformed under 1 to 5 tons of pressure using a hydraulic press, into a spherical cap, using the specific tool T6.2 (See
The central region of the dome may be “loaded” by displacing it perpendicularly to the flat of the dome's base until the concavity inverts through buckling (“snap-through”). A “loader” can be used to load the dome, for example an approximately 15.3 mm diameter plastic ring with a section of 1.3 mm is pushed against the dome convex side until loading. This loaded dome may then be placed on a test jig (See
The dome may be considered a shell structure (a three-dimensional solid whose thickness is very small compared with its other dimensions). When a compressive load is applied axially to the dome, its geometry evolves (i.e. deformation) under the increasing bending moment while accommodating the build-up of membrane and shear forces, and related stresses. This phase of deformation corresponds to the first elastic part of the force vs. displacement graph, where the resulting load on the dome increases linearly with the deformation (characterised by the apex displacement) (See
In order to trigger the dome, the user needs to bring the dome to this critical state where the buckling propagates to the full dome. The user applies a peak load which can be significantly higher than the snap-through force.
As a baseline, the embodiment of the particular asymmetric bistable dome described above, when non constrained (stand-alone dome) has a peak loading force of 195±2.85 N and speed around 11 m/s (loading speed) for a peak trigger force of 96±2.24 N, which results in an unloading speed of 20.80±1.34 m/s. This design provides a two-fold increase of the performance with a halving of the force resulting in the doubling of the speed (convention loading-triggering).
The device and methods of the present invention bring the dome close to this critically unstable state where a high ratio of the dome surface is buckling, ready to propagate to the full dome. By close it is meant that a low remaining load still needs to be applied by the user to ultimately bring the dome to the critical state. The remaining force (“the trigger force”) needs to be tailored in order to fall in a range, where the maximum corresponds to a force which is considered too high to deliver by a user and/or to be received by a patient, and the minimum corresponds to a force which is not sufficient to prevent any unintentional triggering. The critical force can vary with imperfections in the dome (stamping, grain, defects, dints etc.), with the triggering (off-centring, angle, shape and size), with the dynamic of the triggering (low speed, high impact speed, vibrations) and stress variation (temperature, humidity, dilatation of steel/plastic). Therefore, some buffering needs to be considered in choosing the ends of the trigger force range. The range of the triggering force for a encased dome may be from 5 to 100N, or from 5 to 90N or from 5 to 80N, or from 5 to 70N or from 5 to 60N, or from 5 to 50N or from 5 to 40N, or from 5 to 30N or from 5 to 20N or from 5 to 10N, or from 10 to 100N, or from 10 to 90N or from 10 to 80N, or from 10 to 70N or from 10 to 60N, or from 10 to 50N or from 10 to 40N, or from 10 to 30N or from 10 to 20N, or from 20 to 100N or from 20 to 90N or from 20 to 80N, or from 20 to 70N or from 20 to 60N, or from 20 to 50N or from 20 to 40N, or from 20 to 30N or from 30 to 100N or from 30 to 90N or from 30 to 80N, or from 30 to 70N or from 30 to 60N, or from 30 to 50N or from 30 to 40N, or from 40 to 100N or from 40 to 90N or from 40 to 80N, or from 40 to 70N or from 40 to 60N, or from 40 to 50N or from 50 to 200N, or from 50 to 90N or from 50 to 80N, or from 50 to 70N or from 50 to 60N, or from 60 to 100N or from 60 to 90N or from 60 to 80N, or from 60 to 70N or from 70 to 100N or from 70 to 90N, or from 70 to 80N or from 80 to 100N or from 80 to 90N, or from 90 to 100N. The range of the triggering force for an stand-alone dome may be from 100 to 200N, or from 100 to 190N or from 100 to 180N, or from 100 to 170N or from 100 to 160N, or from 100 to 150N or from 100 to 140N, or from 100 to 130N or from 100 to 120N, or from 100 to 110N or from 110 to 200N, or from 110 to 190N or from 110 to 180N, or from 110 to 170N or from 110 to 160N, or from 110 to 150N or from 110 to 140N, or from 110 to 130N or from 110 to 120N or from 120 to 200N, or from 120 to 190N or from 120 to 180N, or from 120 to 170N or from 120 to 160N, or from 120 to 150N or from 120 to 140N, or from 120 to 130N or from 130 to 200N, or from 130 to 190N or from 130 to 180N, or from 130 to 170N or from 130 to 160N, or from 130 to 150N or from 130 to 140N, or from 140 to 200N, or from 140 to 190N or from 140 to 180N, or from 140 to 170N or from 140 to 160N, or from 140 to 150N or from 150 to 200N, or from 150 to 190N or from 150 to 180N, or from 150 to 170N or from 150 to 160N, or from 170 to 200N or from 170 to 200N, or from 170 to 190N or from 170 to 180N, or from 180 to 200N or from 180 to 190N, or from 190 to 200N.
The range of the loading force for a encased dome may be from 100 to 400N, or from 100 to 350N or from 100 to 300N, or from 100 to 250N or from 100 to 200N, or from 100 to 200N or from 100 to 150N, or from 150 to 400N or from 150 to 350N, or from 150 to 300N or from 150 to 250N or from 150 to 200N, or from 200 to 400N or from 250 to 350N, or from 200 to 300N or from 200 to 250N, or from 250 to 400N or from 250 to 350N or from 250 to 300N or from 300 to 400N, or from 300 to 350N or from 350 to 400N. The range of the loading force for an stand-alone dome may be from 100 to 200N, or from 100 to 190N or from 100 to 180N, or from 100 to 170N or from 100 to 160N, or from 100 to 150N or from 100 to 140N, or from 100 to 130N or from 100 to 120N, or from 100 to 110N or from 110 to 200N, or from 110 to 190N or from 110 to 180N, or from 110 to 170N or from 110 to 160N, or from 110 to 150N or from 110 to 140N, or from 110 to 130N or from 110 to 120N or from 120 to 200N, or from 120 to 190N or from 120 to 180N, or from 120 to 170N or from 120 to 160N, or from 120 to 150N or from 120 to 140N, or from 120 to 130N or from 130 to 200N, or from 130 to 190N or from 130 to 180N, or from 130 to 170N or from 130 to 160N, or from 130 to 150N or from 130 to 140N, or from 140 to 200N, or from 140 to 190N or from 140 to 180N, or from 140 to 170N or from 140 to 160N, or from 140 to 150N or from 150 to 200N, or from 150 to 190N or from 150 to 180N, or from 150 to 170N or from 150 to 160N, or from 170 to 200N or from 170 to 200N, or from 170 to 190N or from 170 to 180N, or from 180 to 200N or from 180 to 190N, or from 190 to 200N.
The ratio of the triggering force to the loading force may be from about 1:100 or from about 1:90 or from about 1:80 or from about 1:70 or from about 1:60 or from about 1:50 or from about 1:40 or from about 1:30 or from about 1:20 or from about 1:10 or from about 1:5. The ratio of the triggering force to the loading force may be from about 1:100 to about 1:5 or from about 1:90 to about 1:5 or from about 1:80 to about 1:5 or from about 1:70 to about 1:5 or from about 1:60 to about 1:5 or from about 1:50 to about 1:5 or from about 1:40 to about 1:5 or from about 1:30 to about 1:5 or from about 1:20 to about 1:5 or from about 1:10 to about 1:5 or from about 1:100 to about 1:10 or from about 1:90 to about 1:10 or from about 1:80 to about 1:10 or from about 1:70 to about 1:10 or from about 1:60 to about 1:10 or from about 1:50 to about 1:10 or from about 1:40 to about 1:10 or from about 1:30 to about 1:10 or from about 1:20 to about 1:10.
Attempts to force the loaded dome to achieve this critical state by compressing the dome cannot be achieved by a placing the dome in a simple casing. Once the user further deforms the pre-activated dome, the dome will disconnect from the casing and the full load (e.g. 100 N) would be transmitted to the user. The dome will either go back to the unloaded position, or snap-through to the loaded position.
The domes of the present invention are brought to a state of stable partial buckling while transitioning from the unloaded to the loaded positions. This intermediate energetic state cannot be captured for a non-encased device as the state is highly transient due to the dynamics of snapping-through which makes the dome pass through this state, and reach instead the lower energetic state of the fully inverted dome. When the equilibrium of this intermediate energy is stable, the user can apply a load from this state without having all the 100 N of load retransmitted to the user. This is achieved by encasing the unloaded dome, and by loading the dome in a casing. The casing may be designed such that the transition of the loading dome is stopped in the desired state close to critical stable intermediary energetic state. Although the casing needs to provide some load against the dome to keep it in this intermediary position and prevent the dome from transitioning to reach the lower energetic state of the fully inverted dome, most of the load is provided by the buckled partition of the dome, as demonstrated by the fact that an extra smaller load (the “trigger force”) can be applied without resuming the full load of 100 N.
When the dome is triggered from this new position, the required trigger force is lower than for the unconstrained loaded position; however, the velocity the dome achieves on release is not prejudiced. The amount of constraint can be used to reduce the trigger force on a high performance dome (high speed) without sacrificing the velocity. A comparison between constrained (encased) and unconstrained (non-encased) domes show that the velocity of the constrained dome is slightly increased from [20.80±1.34] m/s to [22.3±1.07] m/s. This may due to the fact that most of the constrained dome (the buckled partition) is ready to snap-through, whereas in the case of the unconstrained dome some dynamic is lost in fluctuating vibrations around the critical state.
One particular embodiment of the encapsulated dome is accomplished by over-moulding the outer rim of the dome in an appropriate material including but not limited to plastic, ceramic, aluminium metals, steel, glass, carbon fibers or combinations thereof prior to loading the dome (See
The dome-encasing material should have high impact strength to sustain the shock of the inverting dome while loading. Loading and maintaining the dome in its desired state can be achieved in at least two ways, stiff or flexible encasing designs (see
Reinforced plastics are particularly good candidates for stiff and low creep plastics. Plastics that can be used in the casing for the domes include but are not limited to 15%-50% glass reinforced nylon 6, 40% glass reinforced polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) and 50% GF PBT (polybutylene) or PBT/PET blends (polybutylene and polyethylene terephthalate). Other dome-encasing materials that can be used in the devices and methods of the present invention include but are not limited to ceramic, aluminium (powder metallurgy, reinforced plastic with steel, glass or carbon fibres or a combination thereof. Consideration should be given to moisture intake and other parameters (temperature, light) which may influence the mechanical properties of the plastics (tensile modulus, flexural modulus etc.) For instance, 15% glass filled nylon may not be preferred if the dome part is subject to humidity. The moisture uptake at equilibrium is about 2.2% in weight at room temperature and 50% RH. This leads to a loss of 50 to 60% in the flexural modulus, and similar reduction of 50% in the tensile strength and flexural strength of the material. In applicators for the use in projecting microprojection arrays into skin, the inner environment will be kept dry, and the device stored in ambient or refrigerated conditions, protected from light.
The over moulded portion of the device will depend in part on the diameter of the dome it encases. The diameter of the over moulding may be from about 5 to 100 mm, or from about 5 to 90 mm or from about 5 to 80 mm or from about 5 to 70 mm or from about 5 to 60 mm or from about 5 to 50 mm or from about 5 to about 40 mm or from about 5 to 30 mm or from about 5 to 20 mm or from about 5 to about 10 mm or from about 10 to 100 mm, or from about 10 to 90 mm about 10 to 80 mm, or from about 10 to 70 mm or from about 10 to 60 mm or from about 10 to 50 mm or from about 10 to 40 mm or from about 10 to 30 mm or from about 10 to about 20 mm or from about 20 to 80 mm, or from about 20 to 70 mm or from about 20 to 60 mm or from about 20 to 50 mm or from about 20 to 40 mm or from about 20 to 30 mm or from about 30 to 80 mm, or from about 30 to 70 mm or from about 30 to 60 mm or from about 30 to 50 mm or from about 30 to 40 mm or from about 40 to 80 mm, or from about 40 to 70 mm or from about 40 to 60 mm or from about 40 to 50 mm or from about 50 to 80 mm, or from about 50 to 70 mm or from about 50 to 60 mm. The thickness of the overmoulding may be from about 1 to 30 mm or from about 1 to 25 mm or from about 1 to 20 mm or from about 1 to 15 mm or from about 1 to 10 mm or from about 1 to 5 mm or from about 5 to 30 mm or from about 5 to 25 mm or from about 5 to 20 mm or from about 5 to 15 mm or from about 5 to 10 mm or from about 10 to 30 mm or from about 10 to 25 mm or from about 10 to 20 mm or from about 10 to 15 mm or from about 15 to 30 mm or from about 15 to 25 mm or from about 15 to 20 mm or from about 20 to 30 mm or from about 20 to 25 mm or from about 25 to 30 mm. The over moulding of the dome will encroached on the dome for about 1 to 30 mm or from about or from about 1 to 25 mm or from about 1 to 20 mm or from about 1 to 15 mm or from about 1 to 10 mm or from about 1 to 5 mm or from about 5 to 30 mm or from about 5 to 25 mm or from about 5 to 20 mm or from about 5 to 15 mm or from about 5 to 10 mm or from about 10 to 30 mm or from about 10 to 25 mm or from about 10 to 20 mm or from about 10 to 15 mm or from about 15 to 30 mm or from about 15 to 25 mm or from about 15 to 20 mm or from about 20 to 30 mm or from about 20 to 25 mm or from about 25 to 30 mm).
In one embodiment the primed dome is held is in place in the housing and/or applicator by using ultrasound crimping to encase the flattened edge of the dome is the housing (See
In order to increase the creep resistance, the dome can be over-moulded with a plastic vault with a pattern of ribs (See
The pattern of plastic vault and ribs enables the stiffening and holding of the dome in place and prevent creeping. The use of ribs instead of a solid body reduces the need for too much extra material. The fact that the ribs do not touch the domes leads to a simple moulding process as the exact shape of the domes need not be known and thus the ribs can vary slightly. The cavity between the dome and the ribs may be filled by a covering plastic vault. It may be useful to provide a coating to avoid adhesion of the metal dome with the plastic vault. (Coating on the dome, on the plastic, or both).
Another embodiment to encase the dome is accomplished by using a foldable metal ring which envelopes the outer edge of the dome. A metal strip of thickness 0.5 mm to 2 mm may be cut into a ring that can be folded back onto the dome, see
In some embodiment of the devices of the present invention the hardness of the steel used for the dome is from about 500 to about 650 HV (Vickers Hardness) pre-heat treatment. The hardness of the steel used for the dome may be from about 400 to about 750 HV or from about 450 to about 750 HV or from about 500 to about 750 HV or from about 550 to about 750 HV or from about 600 to about 750 HV or from about 650 to about 750 HV or from about 700 to about 750 HV or from about 400 to about 700 HV or from about 450 to about 700 HV or from about 500 to about 700 HV or from about 550 to about 700 HV or from about 600 to about 700 HV or from about 650 to about 700 HV or from about 400 to about 650 HV or from about 450 to about 650 HV or from about 500 to about 650 HV or from about 550 to about 650 HV or from about 550 to about 600 HV or from about 600 to about 750 HV or from about 600 to about 700 HV or from about 600 to about 650 HV or from about 540 to about 600 HV.
The process for making the encased dome can be accomplished with a first vertical bending of the tabs in a punch tool, followed by folding the tabs down onto the dome, see
The foldable metal rings may be from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm, or from 0.3 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm, or from 0.4 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 0.5 mm, or from 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 0.6 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.6 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 0.6 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.6 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 0.6 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.6 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.6 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.6 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.6 mm to about 1 mm, or from 0.7 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.7 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 0.7 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.7 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 0.7 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.7 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.7 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.7 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.7 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 0.8 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.8 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 0.8 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.8 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 0.8 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.8 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.8 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.8 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.8 mm to about 1 mm, or from 0.9 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.9 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 0.9 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.9 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 0.9 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.9 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.9 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.9 mm to about 1.5 mm, or from about 0.9 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 4.5 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 3.5 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 1.5 mm.
The number of tabs in the foldable metal ring can be from 2 to 20 or from 2 to 19 or from 2 to 18 or from 2 to 17 or from 2 to 16 or from 2 to 15 or from 2 to 14 or from 2 to 13 or from 2 to 12 or from 2 to 11 or from 2 to 10 or from 2 to 9 or from 2 to 8 or from 2 to 7 or from 2 to 6 or from 2 to 5 or from 2 to 4 or from 2 to 3 or from 3 to 20 or from 3 to 19 or from 3 to 18 or from 3 to 17 or from 3 to 16 or from 3 to 15 or from 3 to 14 or from 3 to 13 or from 3 to 12 or from 3 to 11 or from 3 to 9 or from 3 to 8 or from 3 to 7 or from 3 to 6 or from 3 to 5 or from 3 to 4 or from 4 to 20 or from 4 to 19 or from 4 to 18 or from 4 to 17 or from 4 to 16 or from 4 to 15 or from 4 to 14 or from 4 to 13 or from 4 to 12 or from 4 to 11 or from 4 to 10 or from 4 to 9 or from 4 to 8 or from 4 to 7 or from 4 to 6 or from 4 to 5 or from 5 to 20 or from 5 to 19 or from 5 to 18 or from 5 to 17 or from 5 to 16 or from 5 to 15 or from 5 to 14 or from 5 to 13 or from 5 to 12 or from 5 to 11 or from 5 to 9 or from 5 to 8 or from 5 to 7 or from 5 to 6 or from 6 to 20 or from 6 to 19 or from 6 to 18 or from 6 to 17 or from 6 to 16 or from 6 to 15 or from 6 to 14 or from 6 to 13 or from 6 to 12 or from 6 to 11 or from 6 to 10 or from 6 to 9 or from 6 to 8 or from 6 to 7 or from 7 to 20 or from 7 to 19 or from 7 to 18 or from 7 to 17 or from 7 to 16 or from 7 to 15 or from 7 to 14 or from 7 to 13 or from 7 to 12 or from 7 to 11 or from 7 to 9 or from 7 to 8 or from 8 to 20 or from 8 to 19 or from 8 to 18 or from 8 to 17 or from 8 to 16 or from 8 to 15 or from 8 to 14 or from 8 to 13 or from 8 to 12 or from 8 to 11 or from 8 to 10 or from 8 to 9 or from 2 to 8 or from 2 to 7 or from 2 to 6 or from 2 to 5 or from 2 to 4 or from 2 to 3 or from 3 to 20 or from 3 to 19 or from 9 to 18 or from 9 to 17 or from 9 to 16 or from 9 to 15 or from 9 to 14 or from 9 to 13 or from 9 to 12 or from 9 to 11 or from 9 to 10 or from 10 to 20 or from 10 to 19 or from 10 to 18 or from 10 to 17 or from 10 to 16 or from 10 to 15 or from 10 to 14 or from 10 to 13 or from 10 to 12 or from 10 to 11. The tabs of the ring can be of any shape such as rectangular or pyramidal or square and the tabs can be flat or curved as shown in Figures
The performance of the encased dome may be improved with respect to speed, force and stability by conditioning the dome and the foldable metal ring in which it is encased. The encased domes may be treated with a heat treatment. The heat may be from about 300° C. to about 475° C. or from about 300° C. to about 450° C. or from about 300° C. to about 425° C. or from about 300° C. to about 400° C. or from about 300° C. to about 350° C. or from about 350° C. to about 500° C. or from about 350° C. to about 475° C. or from about 350° C. to about 450° C. or from about 350° C. to about 425° C. or from about 350° C. to about 400° C. or from about 375° C. to about 500° C. or from about 375° C. to about 475° C. or from about 375° C. to about 450° C. or from about 375° C. to about 425° C. or from about 400° C. to about 500° C. or from about 400° C. to about 475° C. or from about 400° C. to about 450° C. or from about 400° C. to about 425° C. The duration of the heating may be from about 1 hour to about 6 hours or from about 1 hour to about 5 hours or from about 1 hour to about 4 hours or from about 1 hour to about 3 hours or from about 1 hour to about 2 hours or from about 2 hour to about 6 hours or from about 2 hour to about 5 hours or from about 2 hour to about 4 hours or from about 2 hour to about 3 hours or from about 3 hour to about 5 hours or from about 3 hour to about 4 hours or from about 4 hour to about 6 hours or from about 4 hours to 5 hours.
In one example the dome and the foldable metal ring encasing the dome may be tempered dome at 425° C. for 4 h and then freely cooled in the furnace.
In an alternate embodiment the metal strip may be part of the dome itself. In such embodiments the outer lip of the dome can be folded over in a variety of ways to effect an over-moulded dome arrangement.
Other embodiments to encase the dome include but are not limited to by forming a plastic over-moulding of the dome outer rim, by over moulding a plastic vault with a pattern of stiffening ribs on the dome, by using a folded metal casing, by using a ceramic casing, or by self-encasement of the dome by folding back the dome's edges on itself, or a combination of these approaches.
The dome system can be a stand-alone system or a part of an applicator system such as when the system is inserted in an applicator. In a preferred embodiment of a microprojection array applicator the overmoulded dome is placed between the applicator trigger (e.g. flexible top of the applicator) and the microprojection patch held in the patch attach inner mechanism. The dome system could be part of a sub-assembly of the applicator (e.g. dome overmoulded in the top assembly or an overmoulded metal ring folded over the dome in the top assembly.
In some embodiments of the microprojection array applicators and methods of applying the microprojection arrays to the skin the parameters for delivering the microprojection array may be, but are not limited to: application momentum 6-22 g·m·s-1, application momentum per projection 1-4 mg·m·s-1, application energy 65·165 mJ; application energy per projection 10·40 μJ; dome mass 0.5-2 g; patch velocity 15-24 m·s-1. In some embodiments of the microprojection array applicators and methods of applying the microprojection arrays to the skin the parameters for the patch may include patch mass 265-1400 mg; patch number of projections 1,000-21,000; tip radius can be from 1 to 100 μm; patch size 4×4 mm to 11×11 mm (round diameter of 10 mm); length of projection 100-300 μm; base width 20-100 μm; projection spacing 70-185 μm; projection density 10-200 projections/mm2.
The speed of the microprojection array as it is projected into the skin depends at least in part upon the density of the projections in the microarray and the area of the array. The range of speeds for the microprojection array entering the skin may be from about 10 m/s to about 50 m/s or from about 10 m/s to about 40 m/s or from about 10 m/s to about 30 m/s or from about 10 m/s to about 25 m/s or from about 10 m/s to about 20 m/s or from about 20 m/s to about 50 m/s or from about 20 m/s to about 40 m/s or from about 20 m/s to about 30 m/s or from about 25 m/s to about 50 m/s or from about 25 m/s to about 40 m/s or from about 25 m/s to about 30 m/s. In preferred embodiments of the microprojection applicators of the present invention the speed of the microprojection array is at least 15 m/s or at least 20 m/s or at least 25 m/s or at least 30 m/s.
The microprojection arrays that the applicator of the present invention projects into the skin may have a variety of shapes and sizes. The microprojection array may be square, circular, rectangular or irregular depending on its use. The microprojection arrays can be varied in size depending on its use. The area of the patch will have an impact on the ability to penetrate the subject, but this must be balanced by the need to induce cell damage over a sufficiently large area to induce a response. Consequently the patch typically has an area of between 0.5×0.5 mm and 20×20 mm, between 0.5×0.5 mm and 15×15 mm and more typically between 1×1 mm and 10×10 mm.
In one embodiment the microprojection array is 10×10 mm. The microprojection arrays may have a density of projections of between 1,000 to 20,000 per cm2 or from 1,000 to 15,000 per cm2, or from 1,000 to 10,000 per cm2 for from 1,000 to 5,000 per cm2, or from 2,500 to 20,000 per cm2 or from 2,500 to 15,000 per cm2 or from 2,500 to 10,000 per cm2 or from 2,500 to 7,500 per cm2 or from 2,500 to 5,000 per cm2 or from 5,000 to 20,000 per cm2 or from 5,000 to 15,000 per cm2 or from 5,000 to 10,000 per cm2 or from 5,000 to 9,000 per cm2 or from 5,000 to 8,000 per cm2 or from 5,000 to 7,000 per cm2 or from 5,000 to 6,000 per cm2. The applicators of the present invention are often utilized to project high density microprojection arrays into the skin. Such high density arrays are microprojection arrays of sufficient size and density such that forces that can be applied manually will be insufficient to overcome the elasticity of the skin. The projections are typically separated by between 10 μm and 200 μm, between 30 μm and 150 μm, between 50 μm and 120 μm and more typically between 70 μm and 100 μm, leading to patches having between 10 and 1000 projections per mm2 and more typically between 100 and 3000 projections per mm2, and in one specific example approximately 20,000 per cm2.
The length of the projections may be from 100 μm to 700 μm or from 100 μm to 600 μm or from 100 μm to 500 μm or from 100 μm to 400 μm or from 100 μm to 300 μm or from 100 μm to 250 μm or from 100 μm to 200 μm or from 150 μm to 700 μm or from 150 μm to 600 μm or from 150 μm to 500 μm or from 150 μm to 400 μm or from 150 μm to 300 μm or from 150 μm to 250 μm or from 150 μm to 200 μm or from 200 μm to 700 μm or from 200 μm to 600 μm or from 200 μm to 500 μm or from 200 μm to 400 μm or from 200 μm to 300 μm or from 200 μm to 250 μm or from 225 μm to 700 μm or from 225 μm to 600 μm or from 225 μm to 500 μm or from 225 μm to 400 μm or from 225 μm to 300 μm or from 225 μm to 250 μm or from 250 μm to 700 μm or from 250 μm to 600 μm or from 250 μm to 500 μm or from 250 μm to 400 μm or from 250 μm to 300 μm. The projections may have a step shoulder between the cone and pillar of the projection. The microprojection array may be made of any suitable materials including but not limited to silicon, polymers, and plastic. In silicon embodiments the base thickness is about 60 um or silicon with a thin (1 mm) polymer backing. The overall mass of some embodiments of the microprojection array is about 0.3 gm. The microprojection array may have bevelled edges to reduce peak stresses on the edge of the array. The patch can be quartered or subdivided by other ratios to reduce the stress load on the patch and mitigate patch breakage. Polymer embodiments may have reduced mass. The microprojection array may also have an overall weakly convex shape of the patch to improve the mechanical engagement with skin and mitigate the effect of high speed rippling application: a ‘high velocity/low mass’ system. The microprojection array may have a mass of less than 1 gram, or less than 0.9 grams or less than 0.8 grams or less than 0.7 grams, or less than 0.6 grams or less than 0.5 grams or less than 0.6 grams, or less than 0.5 grams or less than 0.4 grams or less than 0.3 grams or less than 0.2 grams or less than 0.1 grams or less than 0.05 grams. The microprojection array may have a mass of about 0.05 grams to about 2 grams, or from about 0.05 grams to about 1.5 grams or from about 0.05 grams to about 1.0 grams or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.9 grams, or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.8 grams or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.7 grams, or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.6 grams or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.5 grams or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.4 grams, or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.3 grams or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.2 grams, or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.1 grams or from about 0.1 grams to about 1.0 grams or from about 0.1 grams to about 0.9 grams, or from about 0.1 grams to about 0.8 grams or from about 0.1 grams to about 0.7 grams, or from about 0.1 grams to about 0.6 grams or from about 0.1 grams to about 0.5 grams or from about 0.1 grams to about 0.4 grams, or from about 0.1 grams to about 0.3 grams or from about 0.1 grams to about 0.2 grams. In one embodiment of the applicator/microprojection system the mass of the array is about 0.3 grams, the array is projected at a velocity of about 20-26 m/s by the applicator.
In some embodiments of the microprojection array applicators and methods of applying the microprojection arrays to the skin the parameters for delivering the microprojection array may be: application momentum 6-22 g·m·s-1, application momentum per projection 1-4 mg-m·s-1, application energy 65-165 mJ; application energy per projection 10-40 μJ; dome mass 0.5-2 g; patch velocity 15-24 m·s-1. In some embodiments of the microprojection array applicators and methods of applying the microprojection arrays to the skin the parameters for the patch may include patch mass 265-1400 mg; patch number of projections 5,000-21,000; tip radius; patch size 4×4 mm to 11×11 mm (round diameter of 10 mm); length of projection 100-300 μm; base width 20-50 μm; projection spacing 70-185 μm; projection density 10-200 projections/mm2.
The present invention relates to microprojection array applicators that provide application of microprojection arrays to the skin for the delivery of substances in particular the delivery of vaccine antigens. The present invention also relates to methods of using the microprojection array applicators for applying microprojection arrays to the skin of a subject. The applicators and methods of the present invention are especially useful for the delivery of high density microprojection arrays to the skin surface. The applicators and methods of the present invention are also useful for the delivery of high density microprojection arrays at a high rate of speed to the skin surface. The present invention is designed to achieve tolerable penetration for high density, low mass microprojection arrays (>5,000/cm2) that are delivered to the skin at high velocities.
The applicators of the present invention may be comprised of a sterile housing in which an encased dome and one or more microprojection array(s) are contained. The housing may preferably be made of plastic or a metallic material such as steel or aluminium or a fibrous paper based material or a laminate including any of these materials. The bottom of the microprojection array applicator is covered with a foil sheet to protect the membrane and to keep the device sterile. The housing encompasses the inner workings of the applicator. The housing has an upper and lower section. The housing may have a collapsible section which acts as a trigger to activate the dome(s). The collapsible section or sections of the housing may be on upper section of the device or incorporated into the bottom of the housing. Preferably the flexible or collapsible section of the housing is actuated through a force applied by hand such that application of the microprojection array is comfortable to both the patient and the person activating the applicator. In one embodiment of the applicator of the present invention the force is applied to the applicator in a fashion that is substantially perpendicular to the skin to which the microprojection array is applied such that the force travels down through the encased dome. Alternatively, the activation force could be applied in a direction substantially parallel to the skin by a mechanism that may be actuated between the thumb and forefinger. The mechanism by which the applicator is activated should not cause discomfort to the patient.
The microprojection array maybe propelled from the device after the device is activated such that the microprojection array transits a distance between the applicator device and the target skin and then penetrates the skin. In essence, the microprojection array may be propelled across some distance and then penetrate the target skin. In one embodiment of the applicator where the microprojection array is discharged from the device, the microprojection array could be tethered to a mechanism that protrudes through the dome such that when the dome is activated the mechanism releases the microprojection array with sufficient force to propel the array into the skin. For example, the microprojection array could be fixed to a guide shaft (spigot) that fits through a center hole in the dome. The spigot enables guided travel of the microprojection array to ensure that the microprojection array contacts the skin in a flat manner, so that the microprojection array and the skin meet flush. In this embodiment the microprojection array and the dome are disconnected such that the large mass of the ring is not attached to the array. This should permit a high speed, low mass, pain free delivery of the microprojection array to the skin. In another embodiment the microprojection array may be attached to a low mass tether. In this embodiment the microprojection array is either not in direct contact with the dome or the only contact between the dome and the microprojection array is when the dome impacts the array sending the array toward the skin. In these cases the microprojection array can be struck at the point where the dome achieves maximum velocity and the mass of the dome does not impact the skin of the patient. In preferred embodiments of the applicator device of the present invention the microprojection array is either propelled without attachment to the device or attached to the device via a low mass connector such as a tether. In an alternative embodiment the patch insertion and flight guiding may be accomplished with springs instead of a sliding spigot (See
In an alternate embodiment the patch or microprojection array may be incorporated directly into the dome material (See
The present invention further relates to microprojection applicators in which a membrane is introduced between the microprojection array and the skin surface to which the array is applied. The membrane flattens the skin to which the microprojection array is applied and absorbs the initial impact from the microprojection applicator. The use of a membrane results in an even surface for application regardless of skin condition or thickness and provides even penetration of the microprojections across the skin surface. Microprojection application through a membrane has distinct advantages over application of a microprojection array directly into the skin. It allows the skin to be smoothed flat creating a consistent and uniform application surface. The use of a membrane over the microprojection array allows a device design whereby the microprojection array can be kept in a sterile environment until the membrane is pierced at the time of application. The membrane also allows the patch to be removed from the skin with the applicator and provides confirmation of the application of the microprojection array via the penetration pattern visible on the membrane surface. The membrane also reduces the need for external packaging to maintain sterility thereby reducing packaging waste. Preferably the membrane is non-permeable. The membrane may be made of but is not limited to polymer films, organic and organic fiber films or laminates. Preferably the membrane is from about 2 to about 20 μm or from about 5 to 20 μm or from about 10 to about 20 μm or from about 5 to 10 μm in thickness.
In an alternate embodiment of the present applicator devices of the invention the microprojections of the microprojection array may be uncoated and the membrane may be coated by a substance such as a vaccine. In this embodiment the applicator pushes the microprojections of the microprojection array through the vaccine coated membrane thereby delivering the vaccine to the skin of a patient by penetrating the membrane. Alternatively the membrane and microprojection array may be designed such that the microprojections do not penetrated the membrane but rather force the membrane into the skin where the vaccine can be delivered. In such an embodiment the tips of the microprojections may be modified so that they are not so sharp as to penetrated the membrane but still strong enough to penetrate the skin (See
The membrane may also be covered by a label or covering which serves to protect and keep sterile the membrane and the microprojection array. The label may be in the form of a foil seal or a mesh that can be removed just prior to the use of the microprojection array applicator. In embodiments where a membrane is not used the label may cover the microprojection array.
As the use of microprojection arrays to deliver vaccines to the skin may cause erythema, oedema and visual discoloration of the skin the addition of various substances could be added to the applicator, for example between the membrane and the foil seal or mesh. See
A desiccant film may be included in the microprojection array applicator to maintain the internal environment and water content of the coating. One method of incorporating a desiccant into the applicator is by incorporating the desiccant into the membrane which may be layered under the foil seal or internal to the device housing.
Performance of Non-Encased Dome
A high performance dome was tested for [11R51 0.3 mm steel-T6.2 stamping profile], standalone performance which is controlled displacement at constant speed, load recording. In
Triggering of Encased Dome
Trigger Force Versus Trigger Speed
The graph in
The normal plain untreated new dome is centred around a trigger speed of 20±2 m/s with a trigger force of 100N. When heat treated, the trigger speed increases and force trigger force decreases to 24±2 m/s and 70N respectively. Dome stability is also improved.
When the dome is encased in a metal folding ring, the speed is preserved in the 20±2 m/s range but the force can be tailored down to anywhere between 0-60N, a beneficial increase in speed may take place for lower forces. When heat treated, the folded domes also experience a decrease in trigger force to about 20-40 N and an increase in speed up to 25 to 26 m/s.
When welded with rings to increase the outer rim thickness, the speed can be increased but the force is increased too, heat treatment helps in lowering the trigger force at the 60 N mark. Combinations of 1 or 2 rings (each side of the domes), with different IDs (Ø24.5 and 27.4 mm) and thickness (0.5 and 0.8 mm) were also tested.
When overmoulded in plastic, the speed of the dome is preserved in the 20±2 m/s range but the force can be tailored down to anywhere between 0 to 60N, an increase in speed may take place for lower forces. However to achieve stability, engineering plastics are required.
Trigger Force Versus Trigger Speed
Two different trials were conducted the first in which 900 watts at 35 Hz and 400 ms hold time was performed (Trial 3). The second in which 1500 watts at 20 Hz and 400 ms hold time was performed (Trial 4).
Within this disclosure, any indication that a feature is optional is intended provide adequate support (e.g., under 35 U.S.C. 112 or Art. 83 and 84 of EPC) for claims that include closed or exclusive or negative language with reference to the optional feature. Exclusive language specifically excludes the particular recited feature from including any additional subject matter. For example, if it is indicated that A can be drug X, such language is intended to provide support for a claim that explicitly specifies that A consists of X alone, or that A does not include any other drugs besides X. “Negative” language explicitly excludes the optional feature itself from the scope of the claims. For example, if it is indicated that element A can include X, such language is intended to provide support for a claim that explicitly specifies that A does not include X. Non-limiting examples of exclusive or negative terms include “only,” “solely,” “consisting of,” “consisting essentially of,” “alone,” “without”, “in the absence of (e.g., other items of the same type, structure and/or function)” “excluding,” “not including”, “not”, “cannot,” or any combination and/or variation of such language.
Similarly, referents such as “a,” “an,” “said,” or “the,” are intended to support both single and/or plural occurrences unless the context indicates otherwise. For example “a dog” is intended to include support for one dog, no more than one dog, at least one dog, a plurality of dogs, etc. Non-limiting examples of qualifying terms that indicate singularity include “a single”, “one,” “alone”, “only one,” “not more than one”, etc. Non-limiting examples of qualifying terms that indicate (potential or actual) plurality include “at least one,” “one or more,” “more than one,” “two or more,” “a multiplicity,” “a plurality,” “any combination of,” “any permutation of,” “any one or more of,” etc. Claims or descriptions that include “or” between one or more members of a group are considered satisfied if one, more than one, or all of the group members are present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process unless indicated to the contrary or otherwise evident from the context.
Where ranges are given herein, the endpoints are included. Furthermore, it is to be understood that unless otherwise indicated or otherwise evident from the context and understanding of one of ordinary skill in the art, values that are expressed as ranges can assume any specific value or subrange within the stated ranges in different embodiments of the invention, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention.
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
Further advantages of the present immunological compositions and adjuvants of the present invention can be achieved by those skilled in the art based upon the embodiments described herein and are thus specifically within the scope of the present invention.
Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. As used herein and unless otherwise stated, the term “approximately” means±20%.
It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2018/050810 | 8/3/2018 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019/023757 | 2/7/2019 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2213830 | Anastasi | Sep 1940 | A |
| 2881500 | Furness | Apr 1959 | A |
| 4702799 | Tuot | Oct 1987 | A |
| 5017007 | Milne et al. | May 1991 | A |
| 5201992 | Marcus et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5353792 | Lubbers et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5449064 | Hogan et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
| 5457041 | Ginaven et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5461482 | Wilson et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5499474 | Knooihuizen | Mar 1996 | A |
| 5527288 | Gross et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5611806 | Jang | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5657138 | Lewis et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
| 5859937 | Nomura | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5870806 | Black, Jr. | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5922356 | Koseki et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5928207 | Pisano et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5943075 | Lee et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
| 6052652 | Lee | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6233797 | Neely et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6287556 | Portnoy et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6299621 | Fogarty et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6334856 | Allen et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6352697 | Cox et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6454755 | Godshall | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6463312 | Bergveld et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6478738 | Hirabayashi et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6503231 | Prausnitz et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
| 6533949 | Yeshurun et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6537242 | Palmer | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6537264 | Cormier et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6551849 | Kenney | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6557849 | Wyss | May 2003 | B2 |
| 6558361 | Yeshurun | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6565532 | Yuzhakov et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6589202 | Powell | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6591124 | Sherman et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
| 6610382 | Kobe et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
| 6743211 | Prausnitz et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
| 6749575 | Matriano et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6855372 | Trautman et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
| 6881203 | Delmore | Apr 2005 | B2 |
| 6908453 | Fleming et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
| 6923764 | Aceti et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| 6931277 | Yuzhakov et al. | Aug 2005 | B1 |
| 6945952 | Kwon | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 7022071 | Schaupp et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
| 7045069 | Ozeryansky | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7048723 | Frazier et al. | May 2006 | B1 |
| 7097631 | Trautman et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7169600 | Hoss et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7211062 | Kwon | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7250037 | Shermer et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| 7316665 | Laurent et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
| 7753888 | Mukerjee et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
| 8052633 | Kendall | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8062573 | Kwon | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8267889 | Cantor et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
| 8414548 | Yuzhakov | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8540672 | McAllister | Sep 2013 | B2 |
| 8734697 | Chen et al. | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8883015 | Kendall et al. | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 9199976 | Smythe et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9220678 | Kendall et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9283365 | Kendall et al. | Mar 2016 | B2 |
| 9387000 | Corrie et al. | Jul 2016 | B2 |
| 9572969 | Kendall | Feb 2017 | B2 |
| 9888932 | Kendall | Feb 2018 | B2 |
| 9943673 | Kendall et al. | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 10022322 | Kendall et al. | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 10751072 | Kendall | Aug 2020 | B2 |
| 11103259 | Crichton et al. | Aug 2021 | B2 |
| 11147954 | Junger et al. | Oct 2021 | B2 |
| 11179553 | Kendall et al. | Nov 2021 | B2 |
| 11207086 | Kendall | Dec 2021 | B2 |
| 20020008530 | Kim et al. | Jan 2002 | A1 |
| 20020016562 | Cormier et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
| 20020032415 | Trautman et al. | Mar 2002 | A1 |
| 20020128599 | Cormier et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
| 20020133129 | Arias et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
| 20020169411 | Sherman et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
| 20020177839 | Cormier et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
| 20030036710 | Matriano et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
| 20030199810 | Trautman et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
| 20030199811 | Sage | Oct 2003 | A1 |
| 20030220656 | Gartstein et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
| 20040002121 | Regan et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20040004649 | Bibi et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20040008241 | Junhua | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20040039397 | Weber et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
| 20040049150 | Dalton et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
| 20040087992 | Kobe et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20040161470 | Andrianov et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
| 20050042866 | Klapproth et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
| 20050089553 | Cormier | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050089554 | Cormier et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050126710 | Laermer et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
| 20050137531 | Prausnitz et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
| 20050143713 | Delmore et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
| 20050197308 | Dalton et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050261632 | Xu | Nov 2005 | A1 |
| 20060012780 | Nishiyama et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
| 20060015061 | Kuo et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
| 20060055724 | Krawczyk et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060074376 | Kwon | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20060195125 | Sakakine et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
| 20060202385 | Xu et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060264782 | Holmes et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
| 20070027474 | Lasner | Feb 2007 | A1 |
| 20070060867 | Xu | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070078376 | Smith | Apr 2007 | A1 |
| 20070224252 | Trautman et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| 20070264749 | Birkmeyer | Nov 2007 | A1 |
| 20070270738 | Wu | Nov 2007 | A1 |
| 20070293815 | Chan et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20070299388 | Chan et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20080009811 | Cantor | Jan 2008 | A1 |
| 20080108959 | Jung et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080114298 | Cantor | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080136874 | Tsukamura | Jun 2008 | A1 |
| 20080183144 | Trautman | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20080245764 | Pirk et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20080287858 | Duan | Nov 2008 | A1 |
| 20080312610 | Binks | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20080312669 | Vries et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20090017210 | Andrianov | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090041810 | Andrianov et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090198189 | Simons et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20090292254 | Tomono | Nov 2009 | A1 |
| 20100156998 | Matsumoto et al. | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100221314 | Matsudo et al. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20100222743 | Fredrickson et al. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20100256568 | Frederickson et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
| 20110021996 | Lee et al. | Jan 2011 | A1 |
| 20110028905 | Takada | Feb 2011 | A1 |
| 20110059150 | Kendall et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
| 20110160069 | Corrie et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110223542 | Kendall et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
| 20110245776 | Kendall et al. | Oct 2011 | A1 |
| 20110276027 | Trautman et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
| 20110288484 | Kendall et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
| 20120027810 | Chen et al. | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| 20120041412 | Roth | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| 20120083741 | Kendall et al. | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20120083762 | Kendall | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20120109065 | Backes | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120136312 | Terahara et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120220981 | Soo et al. | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| 20120265141 | Kalpin et al. | Oct 2012 | A1 |
| 20120277629 | Bernstein et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
| 20120330250 | Kuwahara et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20130079666 | Gonzalez-Zugasti | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130131598 | Trautman et al. | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130150822 | Ross | Jun 2013 | A1 |
| 20130158482 | Davis et al. | Jun 2013 | A1 |
| 20130190794 | Kendall et al. | Jul 2013 | A1 |
| 20130296790 | Masaoka | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130337150 | Biemans | Dec 2013 | A1 |
| 20140243747 | Tokumoto et al. | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20140257188 | Kendall et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140276366 | Bourne et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140276378 | Chen et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20150057604 | Arami et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150080844 | Donovan et al. | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20160015952 | Omachi et al. | Jan 2016 | A1 |
| 20160058697 | Kendall et al. | Mar 2016 | A1 |
| 20160220803 | Kendall et al. | Aug 2016 | A1 |
| 20160271381 | Falo, Jr. et al. | Sep 2016 | A1 |
| 20160310412 | Tanoue et al. | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20170014336 | Kuruma et al. | Jan 2017 | A1 |
| 20170056637 | Unger et al. | Mar 2017 | A1 |
| 20170065804 | Uemura | Mar 2017 | A1 |
| 20170182301 | Kendall | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170239458 | Kato et al. | Aug 2017 | A1 |
| 20170282417 | Okano et al. | Oct 2017 | A1 |
| 20170296465 | Yoshida et al. | Oct 2017 | A1 |
| 20170361082 | Okano et al. | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20170368322 | Kato et al. | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20180015271 | Junger et al. | Jan 2018 | A1 |
| 20180161050 | Kendall | Jun 2018 | A1 |
| 20180250503 | Enomoto et al. | Sep 2018 | A1 |
| 20180263641 | Crichton et al. | Sep 2018 | A1 |
| 20180264244 | Meliga et al. | Sep 2018 | A1 |
| 20180326726 | Wang et al. | Nov 2018 | A1 |
| 20190001109 | Kim et al. | Jan 2019 | A1 |
| 20190046479 | Pathak | Feb 2019 | A1 |
| 20200246450 | Junger et al. | Aug 2020 | A1 |
| 20200246545 | Langer et al. | Aug 2020 | A1 |
| 20200368511 | Lemaire | Nov 2020 | A1 |
| 20200405331 | Kendall | Dec 2020 | A1 |
| 20210170152 | Kendall et al. | Jun 2021 | A1 |
| 20210244926 | Meliga et al. | Aug 2021 | A1 |
| 20210270599 | Junger et al. | Sep 2021 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1149018 | May 1997 | CN |
| 101214395 | Jul 2008 | CN |
| 101297989 | Nov 2008 | CN |
| 0 139 286 | May 1985 | EP |
| 0 732 208 | Sep 1996 | EP |
| 1 695 734 | Jun 2008 | EP |
| 2 213 284 | Aug 2010 | EP |
| 2 327 419 | Jun 2011 | EP |
| 2 568 174 | Mar 2013 | EP |
| 2 835 147 | Feb 2015 | EP |
| 2003-127430 | May 2003 | JP |
| 2007-260889 | Nov 2007 | JP |
| 2008114561 | May 2008 | JP |
| 2010-071845 | Apr 2010 | JP |
| 2013043034 | Mar 2013 | JP |
| 2016-166769 | Sep 2016 | JP |
| 9106571 | May 1991 | WO |
| 9424281 | Oct 1994 | WO |
| 9828037 | Jul 1998 | WO |
| 9828038 | Jul 1998 | WO |
| 9902694 | Jan 1999 | WO |
| 9942564 | Aug 1999 | WO |
| 9964580 | Dec 1999 | WO |
| 0005339 | Feb 2000 | WO |
| 0042215 | Jul 2000 | WO |
| 0074763 | Dec 2000 | WO |
| 0074764 | Dec 2000 | WO |
| 0133614 | May 2001 | WO |
| 0185207 | Nov 2001 | WO |
| 02064193 | Aug 2002 | WO |
| 02074173 | Sep 2002 | WO |
| 02075794 | Sep 2002 | WO |
| 02085446 | Oct 2002 | WO |
| 02085447 | Oct 2002 | WO |
| 2002100476 | Dec 2002 | WO |
| 03020359 | Mar 2003 | WO |
| 03026732 | Apr 2003 | WO |
| 03048031 | Jun 2003 | WO |
| 03053258 | Jul 2003 | WO |
| 03078925 | Sep 2003 | WO |
| 03092785 | Nov 2003 | WO |
| 2004000389 | Dec 2003 | WO |
| 2004024224 | Mar 2004 | WO |
| 2005049108 | Jun 2005 | WO |
| 2005060621 | Jul 2005 | WO |
| 2005069736 | Aug 2005 | WO |
| 2005072630 | Aug 2005 | WO |
| 2005123173 | Dec 2005 | WO |
| 2006055795 | May 2006 | WO |
| 2006055799 | May 2006 | WO |
| 2006101459 | Sep 2006 | WO |
| 2006108185 | Oct 2006 | WO |
| 2006116281 | Nov 2006 | WO |
| 2006138719 | Dec 2006 | WO |
| 2007002123 | Jan 2007 | WO |
| 2007002521 | Jan 2007 | WO |
| 2007012114 | Feb 2007 | WO |
| 2007030477 | Mar 2007 | WO |
| 2007054090 | May 2007 | WO |
| 2007061781 | May 2007 | WO |
| 2007070004 | Jun 2007 | WO |
| 2007080427 | Jul 2007 | WO |
| 2007124411 | Nov 2007 | WO |
| 2007127976 | Nov 2007 | WO |
| 2008010681 | Jan 2008 | WO |
| 2008011625 | Jan 2008 | WO |
| 2008053481 | May 2008 | WO |
| 2008069566 | Jun 2008 | WO |
| 2008083209 | Jul 2008 | WO |
| 2008091602 | Jul 2008 | WO |
| 2009040548 | Apr 2009 | WO |
| 2009066763 | May 2009 | WO |
| WO 2009077859 | Jun 2009 | WO |
| 2009079712 | Jul 2009 | WO |
| 2009081122 | Jul 2009 | WO |
| 2009097660 | Aug 2009 | WO |
| 2009140735 | Nov 2009 | WO |
| 2010042996 | Apr 2010 | WO |
| 2010071918 | Jul 2010 | WO |
| 2010109471 | Sep 2010 | WO |
| 2011105496 | Sep 2011 | WO |
| 2011116388 | Sep 2011 | WO |
| 2012119907 | Sep 2012 | WO |
| 2012122162 | Sep 2012 | WO |
| 2013053022 | Apr 2013 | WO |
| 2013055641 | Apr 2013 | WO |
| 2014058746 | Apr 2014 | WO |
| 2015034924 | Mar 2015 | WO |
| 2016123665 | Aug 2016 | WO |
| 2016143514 | Sep 2016 | WO |
| 2017123652 | Jul 2017 | WO |
| 2018119174 | Jun 2018 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Aichele et al., “Antiviral Cytotoxic T Cell Response Induced By in Vivo Priming With a Free Synthetic Peptide,” J Exp. Med. 171:1815-1820, 1990. |
| Albert et al., “Dendritic cells acquire antigen from apoptotic cells and induce class I-restricted CTLs,” Nature 392:86-89, 1998. |
| Albert et al., “Tumor-specific killer cells in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration,” Nature Medicine 4(11):1321-1324, 1998. |
| Anderson, “Cutaneous Microdialysis: Is it Worth the Sweat?” Journal of Investigative Dermatology 126:1207-1209, 2006. |
| Athanasopoulos et al., “Gene therapy vectors based on adeno-associated virus: Characterstics and applications to acquired and inherited diseases (Review),” International Journal of Molecular Medicine 6:363-375, 2000. |
| Australian Examination Report dated Apr. 11, 2016 for Australian Application No. 2012323782, 3 pages. |
| Australian Examination Report dated Jan. 9, 2017 for Australian Application No. 2012323782, 4 pages. |
| Australian Examination Report dated Mar. 27, 2013 for Australian Application No. 2009212106, 5 pages. |
| Bachmann et al., “Dendiritic cells process exogenous viral proteins and virus-like particles for class I presentation to CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes,” Eur. J. Immunol. 26:2595-2600, 1996. |
| Boehm et al., “Inkjet printing for pharmaceutical applications,” Materials Today 17(5):247-252, 2014. |
| Camilli et al., “Listeria monocytogenes Mutants Lacking Phosphatidylinositol-specific Phospholipase C Are Avirulent,” J. Exp. Med. 173:751-754, 1991. |
| Canadian Examination Report dated Apr. 23, 2015 for Canadian Application No. 2,749,347, 4 pages. |
| Canadian Examination Report dated Feb. 17, 2015 for Canadian Application No. 2,745,339, 4 pages. |
| Chinese Office Action dated Dec. 28, 2012 for Chinese Application No. 200980104635.3, 6 pages. (w/English Translation). |
| Chinese Office Action dated Feb. 17, 2012 for Chinese Application No. 200980104635.3, 13 pages. (w/English Translation). |
| Chinese Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2012 for Chinese Application No. 200980104635.3, 9 pages. (w/English Translation). |
| Cormier et al., “Transdermal delivery of desmopressin using a coated microneedle array patch system,” Journal of Controlled Release 97:503-511, 2004. |
| Cox et al., “Adjuvants—a classification and review of their modes of action,” Vaccine 15(3):248-256, 1997. |
| Crichton et al., “The effect of strain rate on the precision of penetration of short densely-packed microprojection array patches coated with vaccine,” Biomaterials 37:4562-4572, 2010. |
| Crichton et al., “The viscoelastic, hyperelastic and scale dependent behaviour of freshly excised individual skin layers,” Biomaterials 32:4670-4681, 2011. |
| Desai et al., “Understanding release kinetics of biopolymer drug delivery microcapsules for biomedical applications,” Materials Science and Engineering B 168:127-131, 2010. |
| Dreyer, “Microneedles:Microprocessing in Medicine,” ENMA465 Project, May 10, 2004. (23 pages). |
| European Search Report dated Jul. 20, 2012 for European Application No. 09833918.7, 9 pages. |
| European Search Report dated Nov. 10, 2015 for European Application No. 12840561.0, 11 pages. |
| European Search Report dated Sep. 10, 2018, for European Application No. 16746000.5, 3 pages. |
| European Search Report dated Sep. 26, 2014 for European Application No. 09707729.1, 9 pages. |
| Feng et al., “Molecular Biomarkers for Cancer Detection in Blood and Bodily Fluids,” Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences 43(5-6):497-560, 2006. |
| Fernando et al., “Potent Immunity to Low Doses of Influenza Vaccine by Probabilistic Guided Micro-Targeted Skin Delivery in a Mouse Model,” PLoS One 5(4):e10266, 2010. (11 pages). |
| Gao et al., “Priming of Influenza Virus-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Vivo by Short Synthetic Peptides,” The Journal of Immunology 147(10):3268-3273, 1991. |
| Garafalo et al., “Histamine release and therapy of severe dermatographism,” J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 68(2):103-105, 1981. |
| Gardeniers et al., “Silicon Micromachined Hollow Microneedles for Transdermal Liquid Transport,” Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems 12(6):855-862, 2003. |
| Gill et al., “Coated microneedles for transdermal delivery,” Journal of Controlled Release 117:227-237, 2007. |
| Gill et al., “Coating Formulations for Microneedles,” Pharmaceutical Research 24(7):1369-1380, 2007. |
| Henry et al., “Microfabricated Microneedles: A Novel Approach to Transdermal Drug Delivery,” Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 87(8):922-925, 1998. |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Feb. 4, 2020 for International Application No. PCT/AU2018/050810, 9 pages. |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Jun. 29, 2010 for International Application No. PCT/AU2008/001903, 7 pages. |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Jun. 7, 2006 for International Application No. PCT/GB2005/000336, 9 pages. |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Nov. 14, 2012 for International Application No. PCT/AU2011/000890, 6 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Jul. 30, 2018, for International Application No. PCT/AU2018/050298, 6 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Sep. 13, 2018, for International Application No. PCT/AU2018/050847, 4 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Aug. 1, 2018, for International Application No. PCT/AU2018/050586, 4 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Dec. 22, 2016 for International Application No. PCT/AU2016/050907, 5 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Dec. 6, 2016 for International Application No. PCT/AU2016/050867, 12 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Feb. 20, 2009, for International Application No. PCT/AU2008/001903, 5 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Feb. 20, 2013 for International Application No. PCT/AU2012/001289, 13 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Mar. 7, 2016 for International Application No. PCT/AU2016/050056, 6 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Nov. 8, 2018, for International Application No. PCT/AU2018/050810, 8 pages. |
| International Search Report dated Oct. 25, 2011 for International Application No. PCT/AU2011/000890, 4 pages. |
| Ito et al., “Evaluation of self-dissolving needles containing low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in rats,” International Journal of Pharmaceutics 349:124-129, 2008. |
| Ito et al., “Feasibility of microneedles for percutaneous absorption of insulin,” European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 29:82-88, 2006. |
| Ito et al., “Self-dissolving microneedles for the percutaneous absorption of EPO in mice,” Journal of Drug Targeting 14(5):255-261, 2006. |
| Jondal et al., “MHC Class I-Restricted CTL Responses to Exogenous Antigens,” Immunity 5:295-302, 1996. |
| Kay et al., “Viral vectors for gene therapy: the art of turning infectious agents into vehicles of therapeutics,” Nature Medicine 7(1):33-40, 2001. |
| Kendall et al., “The mechanical properties of the skin epidermis in relation to targeted gene and drug delivery,” Biomaterials 28:4968-4977, 2007. |
| Kuzu et al., “In vivo priming effect during various stages of ontogeny of an influenza A virus nucleoprotein peptide,” Eur. J. Immunol. 23:1397-1400, 1993. |
| Kwon, “Acne Treatment by a Dissolvable Micro-Needle Patch,” TheraJect Inc., 2006. (2 pages). |
| Kwon, “In Vitro Evaluation of Transdermal Drug Delivery by a Micro-needle Patch,” Controlled Release Society 31st Annual Meeting Transactions #115, 2006. (2 pages). |
| Kwon, “In Vitro Modeling of Transdermal PTH Delivery by Dissovling Micro-needle Patch,” TherJect Inc., 2007. (2 pages). |
| Kwon, “Rapid Intradermal Drug Delivery by a Dissovable Micro-Needle Patch,” Controlled Release Society 32nd Annual Meeting & Exposition Transactions #306, 2005. (2 pages). |
| Lee et al., “Dissolving microneedles for transdermal drug delivery,” Biomaterials 29:2113-2124, 2008. |
| Lin et al., “Silicon-Processed Microneedles,” IEEE Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems 8(1):78-84, 1999. |
| Ma et al., “Coating solid dispersions on microneedles via a molten dip coating method: development and in vitro evaluation for transdermal delivery of a water insoluble drug,” J Pharm Sci 103(11):3621-3630, 2014. (21 pages). |
| Ma et al., “A PZT Insulin Pump Integrated with a Silicon Micro Needle Array for Transdermal Drug Delivery,” IEEE 56th Electronic Components & Technology Conference, 2006. (5 pages). |
| Matriano et al., “Macroflux R Microprojection Array Patch Technology: A New and Efficient Approach for Intracutaneous Immunization,” Pharmaceutical Research 19(1):63-70, 2002. |
| McAllister et al., “Microfabricated needles for transdermal delivery of macromolecules and nanoparticles: Fabrication methods and transport studies,” PNAS 100(24):13755-13760, 2003. |
| Meléndez et al., “Thermal Inkjet Application in the Preparation of Oral Dosage Forms: Dispensing of Prednisolone Solutions and Polymorphic Characterization by Solid-State Spectroscopic Techniques,” Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 97(7):2619-2636, 2008. |
| Mengaud et al., “Expression in Escherichia coli and Sequence Analysis of the Listeriolysin O Determinant of Listeria monocytogenes,” Infection and Immunity 56(4):766-772, 1988. |
| Miyano et al., “Sugar Micro Needles as Transdermic Drug Delivery System,” Biomedical Microdevices 7(3):185-188, 2005. |
| Miyano et al., Hydrolytic Microneedles as Transdermal Drug Delivery System, IEEE the 14th International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsyystems, Lyon, France, pp. 355-358, Jun. 10-14, 2007. |
| Moore et al., “Introduction of Soluble Protein into the Class I Pathway of Antigen Processing and Presentation,” Cell 54:777-785, 1988. |
| Mukerjee et al., “Microneedle array for transdermal biological fluid extraction and in situ analysis,” Sensors and Actuators A 114:267-275, 2004. |
| Oh et al., “Demonstration of Dose-controlled Delivery by Dissolvable Micro-needle Arrays,” 34th Annual Presented at CRS conference, Jun. 2007. (2 pages). |
| Oh et al., “Intradermal influenza vaccine delivery using skin-penetrating dissolveable vaccine microneedles,” AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition, 2006. (1 page). |
| Palmer et al., “Streptolysin O: A Proposed Model of Allosteric Interaction between a Pore-Forming Protein and Its Target Lipid Bilayer,” Biochemistry 37:2378-2383, 1998. |
| Park et al., “Biodegradable polymer microneedles: Fabrication, mechanics and transdermal drug delivery,” Journal of Controlled Release 104:51-66, 2005. |
| Park et al., “Polymer Microneedles for Controlled-Release Drug Delivery,” Pharmaceutical Research 23(5):1008-1019, 2006. |
| Park et al., “Towards the silicon nanowire-based sensor for intracellular biochemical detection,” Biosensors and Bioelectronics 22:2065-2070, 2007. |
| Portnoy et al., “Capacity of Listeriolysin O, Streptolysin O, and Perfringolysin O to Mediate Growth of Bacillus subtilis within Mammalian Cells,” Infection & Immunity 60(7):2710-2717, 1992. |
| Radulescu et al., “Uniform Paclitaxel-Loaded Biodegradable Microspheres Manufactured by Ink-Jet Technology,” Proc., the Winter Symposium and 11th International Symposium on Recent Advantages in Drug-Delivery Systems, Controlled Release Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2003, 5 pages. |
| Rossjohn et al., “Structure of a Cholestrol-Binding, Thiol-Activated Cytolysin and a Model of Its Membrane Form,” Cell 89:685-692, 1997. |
| Sandler et al., “Inkjet Printing of Drug Substances and Use of Porous Substrates-Towards Individualized Dosing,” Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 100(8):3386-3395, 2011. |
| Schulz et al., “Peptide-induced antiviral protection by cytotoxic T cells,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:991-993, 1991. |
| Scoutaris et al., “ToF-SIMS analysis of chemical heterogenities in inkjet micro-array printed drug/polymer formulations,” J Mater Sci: Mater Med 23:385-391, 2012. |
| Silver et al., “Viscoelastic Properties of Young and Old Human Dermis: A Proposed Molecular Mechanism for Elastic Energy Storage in Collagen and Elastin,” Journal of Applied Polymer Science 86:1978-1985, 2002. |
| Stoeber et al., “Arrays of Hollow Out-of-Plane Microneedles for Drug Delivery,” Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems 14(3):472-479, 2005. |
| Sullivan et al., “Minimally Invasive Protein Delivery with Rapidly Dissolving Polymer Microneedles,” Adv. Mater. 20:933-938, 2008. |
| Tao et al., “A systematic study of dry etch process for profile control of silicon tips,” Microelectronic Engineering 78-79:147-151, 2005. |
| Tarcha et al., “The Application of Ink-Jet Technology for the Coating and Loading of Drug-Eluting Stents,” Annals of Biomedical Engineering 35(10):1791-1799, 2007. |
| Tsuchiya et al., “Development of Blood Extraction System for Health Monitoring System,” Biomedcal Microdevices 7(4):347-353, 2005. |
| Tyagi et al., “Molecular Beacons: Probes that Fluoresce upon Hybridization,” Nature Biotechnology 14:303-308, 1996. |
| Vigna et al., “Lentiviral vectors: excellent tools for experimental gene transfer and promising candidates for gene therapy,” The Journal of Gene Medicine, 2:308-316, 2000. |
| Walther et al., “Viral Vectors for Gene Transfer,” Drugs 60(2):249-271, 2000. |
| Wang et al., “Label-free hybridization detection of a single nucleotide mismatch by immobilization of molecular beacons on an agarose film,” Nucleic Acids Research 30(12):e61, 2002. (9 pages). |
| Widera et al., “Effect of delivery parameters on immunization to ovalbumin following intracutaneous administration by a coated microneedle array patch system,” Vaccine 24:1653-1664, 2006. |
| Wu et al., “Production of viral vectors for gene therapy applications,” Current Opinion in Biotechnology 11:205-208, 2000. |
| Wu et al., “Solid free-form fabrication of drug delivery devices,” Journal of Controlled Release 40:77-87, 1996. |
| Yuan et al., “Measuring microelastic properties of stratum corneum,” Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 48:6-12, 2006. |
| Zheng et al., “Multiplexed electrical detection of cancer markers with nanowire sensor Arrays,” Nature Biotechnology 23(10):1294-1301, 2005. |
| Zhou et al., “Liposome-Mediated Cytoplasmic Delivery of Proteins: An Effective Means of Accessing the MHC Class I-Restricted Antigen Presentation Pathway,” Immunomethods 4:229-235, 1994. |
| Australian Examination Report No. 1 dated Oct. 9, 2020 for Australian Application No. 2016333148, 5 pages. |
| Chinese Office Action dated Jan. 11, 2021 for Chinese Application No. 201880036675.8, 31 pages. (w/ machine translation). |
| Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC, dated Jan. 19, 2021, for European Application No. 16 746 000.5, 4 pages. |
| Extended European Search Report dated Nov. 30, 2020 for European Application No. 18 77 6793, 10 pages. |
| Extended European Search Report dated Feb. 15, 2021 for European Application No. 18 81 6698, 8 pages. |
| Fernando et al., “Safety, tolerability, acceptability and immunogenicity of an influenza vaccine delivered to human skin by a novel high-density microprojection array patch (Nanopatch™),” Vaccine 36:3779-3788, 2018. |
| Fernando et al., “Influenza nucleoprotein DNA vaccination by a skin targeted, dry coated, densely packed microprojection array (Nanopatch) induces potent antibody and CD8+ T cell responses,” Journal of Controlled Release 237:35-41, 2016. |
| International Search Report dated May 25, 2020 for International Application No. PCT/AU2020/050296, 6 pages. |
| Muller et al., “High-density microprojection array delivery to rat skin of low doses of trivalent inactivated poliovirus vaccine elicits potent neutralising antibody responses,” Scientific Reports 7:12644, 2017. (10 pages). |
| Ng et al., “Potent response of QS-21 as a vaccine adjuvant in the skin when delivered with the Nanopatch, resulted in adjuvant dose sparing,” Scientific Reports 6:29368, 2016. (12 pages). |
| Scoutaris et al., “Current Trends on Medical and Pharmaceutical Applications of Inkjet Printing Technology,” Pharm Res. 33:1799-1816, 2016. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/351,499, filed Apr. 11, 2014, Delivery Device. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/401,950, filed Jan. 9, 2017, Delivery Device. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/849,134, filed Dec. 20, 2017, Method of Delivering Material or Stimulus to a Biological Subject. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/488,065, filed Aug. 1, 2017, Microprojection Array Applicator and Method. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/760,869, filed Mar. 16, 2018, Microprojection Arrays With Microprojections Having Large Surface Area Profiles. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/762,913, filed Mar. 23, 2018, Microprojection Arrays With Enhanced Skin Penetrating Properties and Methods Thereof. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/942,895, filed Apr. 2, 2018, Device and Method for Coating Surfaces. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/622,092, filed Dec. 12, 2019, Quality Control of Substrate Coatings. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/638,072, filed Feb. 10, 2020, Differential Coating of Microprojections and Microneedles on Arrays. |
| Chinese Office Action dated Feb. 14, 2022 for Chinese Application No. 201880036675.8, 12 pages. |
| Japanese Office Action dated Feb. 8, 2022 for Japanese Application No. 2019-554394, 6 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200368511 A1 | Nov 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62605205 | Aug 2017 | US |
