Abstract: A microneedle device comprising: a substrate comprising one or more layers; and at least one microneedle which extends from the substrate; wherein the substrate comprises at least one layer which is a high surface energy material layer and which is capable of retaining the at least one microneedle.

Abstract: A preparation for the transdermal delivery of a biologically active substance into the body of a patient comprises particles of a formulation comprising the active substance. The particles are irregular in size and shape and may be produced by a low cost manufacturing method such as grinding from a thin film. The particles are angular, i.e. they have sharp edges and corners that allow them to penetrate the outer layer of the skin when subjected to pressure from a roller or an array of blunt-tipped microstructures. Sucrose may be used as an excipient with the active substance to form suitably rigid and angular particles.

Abstract: A transdermal product delivery patch comprises a reservoir containing a product for delivery to a patient; means for affixing the patch to the skin of the patient; and manually operable means for actuating an extensor mechanism to exert pressure on the reservoir and thereby expel the product towards the skin. The patch may be supplied with the extensor mechanism held in a strained configuration and the manually operable means may be a restraint such as a peelable layer that can be removed to allow the extensor mechanism to move using stored energy towards a rest configuration. The extensor mechanism may be a ring of resilient material that is pre-stretched radially inwards so that, upon release, it stretches the reservoir radially outwards. The patch may be supplied with the extensor mechanism in a rest configuration and the manually operable means may deform it in a predefined manner into a strained configuration.

Abstract: A patch for sampling one or more analytes through the skin of a patient comprises an electrode layer for positioning adjacent to the skin of a patient; and means for actuating the electrode layer to induce the withdrawal of analytes through the skin by reverse iontophoresis. A first reservoir in the patch contains an electrically conducting medium such as a liquid electrolyte, which can be controllably delivered onto a surface of the electrode layer adjacent to the skin to increase the conductivity between the electrode layer and the skin. Means are provided for transporting the analytes to a location where they are to be analysed. The patch may comprise a second reservoir containing a drug for transdermal delivery to the patient. An actuator may stretch and/or compress the reservoirs to expel their contents. The actuator may comprise a generally planar mesh formed from a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A transdermal product delivery patch comprises a reservoir containing a product for delivery to a patient; means for affixing the patch to the skin of the patient; and manually operable means for actuating an extensor mechanism to exert pressure on the reservoir and thereby expel the product towards the skin. The patch may be supplied with the extensor mechanism held in a strained configuration and the manually operable means may be a restraint such as a peelable layer that can be removed to allow the extensor mechanism to move using stored energy towards a rest configuration. The extensor mechanism may be a ring of resilient material that is pre-stretched radially inwards so that, upon release, it stretches the reservoir radially outwards. The patch may be supplied with the extensor mechanism in a rest configuration and the manually operable means may deform it in a predefined manner into a strained configuration.

Abstract: A patch for sampling one or more analytes through the skin of a patient comprises an electrode layer for positioning adjacent to the skin of a patient; and means for actuating the electrode layer to induce the withdrawal of analytes through the skin by reverse iontophoresis. A first reservoir in the patch contains an electrically conducting medium such as a liquid electrolyte, which can be controllably delivered onto a surface of the electrode layer adjacent to the skin to increase the conductivity between the electrode layer and the skin. Means are provided for transporting the analytes to a location where they are to be analysed. The patch may comprise a second reservoir containing a drug for transdermal delivery to the patient. An actuator may stretch and/or compress the reservoirs to expel their contents. The actuator may comprise a generally planar mesh formed from a shape memory alloy.