Abstract: Microneedle devices have projections that are generally sharp and elongated and designed to disrupt the upper layer of the skin, cause micro-indentations, or pierce the skin. High density arrays are produced using micro-fabrication or micro-molding techniques. The assembly of individual needles does not lend itself to the production of high density arrays. A method of forming microneedle arrays is disclosed which comprises attaching a plurality of microneedles to a substrate, and building up a 2-dimensional microneedle array by wrapping layers of the substrate around a core or folding the layers repeatedly back upon themselves. The arrays are capable of needle densities with a pitch within the range of needle radius plus several micrometers to millimeters.

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 transdermal delivery device comprising a roller, at least one microneedle supported by the roller, and at least one reservoir for a liquid pharmaceutical composition; wherein movement of the roller over the skin of a patient will cause it to rotate and bring the at least one microneedle into contact with the skin of the patient and to bring the at least one microneedle into fluid communication with the at least one reservoir. A method of assembling a transdermal delivery device comprising attaching the at least one microneedle to the device and attaching the at least one reservoir to the device. A method of administering a liquid pharmaceutical composition to a patient using a transdermal delivery device.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the level of an analyte such as glucose in a subject comprises repeated steps of extracting a quantity of the analyte from the subject into a sample, for example using reverse iontophoresis, then measuring the concentration of the analyte with a method that depletes the analyte. Whereas known methods aim to deplete the analyte fully between extraction steps, the present method allows the concentration to build up with each cycle and measures successive changes in concentration. The higher concentrations present permit more reliable measurements to be made. The sample may be primed with an initial quantity of the analyte.

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: The disclosure relates to a method for monitoring the health or wellbeing of a user, comprising: receiving data associated with an output parameter resulting from a physiological response of the user to an input parameter; and enabling the data to be viewed by the user only after a period of time has elapsed such that the viewable data is not indicative of a real time value of the output parameter.

Abstract: Irregular, angular particles are produced by a manufacturing method that comprises forming a film on a substrate and then stretching the substrate along one or more axes to fracture the film into particle structures. The substrate may be moved continuously along a production line as the film is formed and may be stretched by accelerating that movement. The substrate may comprise a surface with elevated patterns to control the fracturing of the film. The particles are particularly suitable for the transdermal delivery of a biologically active substance into the body of a patient.

Abstract: Irregular, angular particles are produced by a manufacturing method that comprises forming a film on a substrate and then stretching the substrate along one or more axes to fracture the film into particle structures. The substrate may be moved continuously along a production line as the film is formed and may be stretched by accelerating that movement. The substrate may comprise a surface with elevated patterns to control the fracturing of the film. The particles are particularly suitable for the transdermal delivery of a biologically active substance into the body of a patient.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device comprises needles for piercing the skin of a patient to form pores in a predefined pattern; and carriers in the same pattern that may be loaded with a drug for delivery. The carriers are applied to the pores to deliver the drug through the pores to a location beneath the surface of the skin. The carriers may remain outside the pores, be introduced into the pores after the needles have been removed, or be inserted alongside the needles while they are still in place.

Abstract: A drug delivery device that delivers pharmacologically active substances transdermally using microneedles arranged on a belt mounted rotatably about a plurality of rollers, the microneedles having an associated drug reservoir mounted on the belt which is compressed when the needles and belt arc brought into contact with the skin.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device comprises needles (10) for piercing the skin (4) of a patient to form pores (20) in a predefined pattern; and carriers (12) in the same pattern that may be loaded with a drug (14) for delivery. The carriers (12) are applied to the pores (20) to deliver the drug (14) through the pores (20) to a location beneath the surface of the skin (4). The carriers (12) may remain outside the pores (20), be introduced into the pores (20) after the needles (10) have been removed or be inserted alongside the needles (20) while they are still in place.

Abstract: A drug delivery device that delivers pharmacologically active substances transdermally using microneedles arranged on a belt mounted rotatably about a plurality of rollers, the microneedles having an associated drug reservoir mounted on the belt which is compressed when the needles and belt are brought into contact with the skin.

Abstract: A solid dose for insertion into the skin of a patient wherein the solid dose has a hollow core. There is also provided a solid dose carrier, a device, a method of manufacturing the solid dose and a method of delivering a solid dose transdermally to a human or animal.

Abstract: Microneedle devices have projections that are generally sharp and elongated and designed to disrupt the upper layer of the skin, cause micro-indentations, or pierce the skin. High density arrays are produced using micro-fabrication or micro-molding techniques. The assembly of individual needles does not lend itself to the production of high density arrays. A method of forming microneedle arrays is disclosed which comprises attaching a plurality of microneedles to a substrate, and building up a 2-dimensional microneedle array by wrapping layers of the substrate around a core or folding the layers repeatedly back upon themselves. The arrays are capable of needle densities with a pitch within the range of needle radius plus several micrometres to millimetres.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device that uses microneedles to create pores in the skin of a subject and delivers the drug transdermally by inserting it into the pore as a solid or semi-solid mass alongside each needle. The device is sufficiently flexible to allow relative movement of the needle and the drug mass apart from one another. Preferably a chamber holding the drug mass comprises a relatively rigid wall to ensure that the drug remains aligned close to the needle, while an adjacent chamber holding the needle comprises a relatively flexible wall to allow lateral movement of the needle as the drug is inserted alongside it.

Abstract: Irregular, angular particles are produced by a manufacturing method that comprises forming a film on a substrate and then stretching the substrate along one or more axes to fracture the film into particle structures. The substrate may be moved continuously along a production line as the film is formed and may be stretched by accelerating that movement. The substrate may comprise a surface with elevated patterns to control the fracturing of the film. The particles are particularly suitable for the transdermal delivery of a biologically active substance into the body of a patient.

Abstract: A micelle formable from at least one nanotube in a process of self-assembly, the nanotube comprising an amphophilic nanotube (2, 8, 14) made from one or more species selected from the group of carbon, silicon, a noble metal, silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide. A part of the nanotube (2, 8, 14) is functionalised and a surfactant molecule or emulsifying agent is attached to the functionalised part. The nanotube (2, 8, 14) may have magnetic properties. A therapeutic agent may be incorporated in the micelle. The micelle may be coated to form a capsule (24). The capsule (24) can be introduced to the human or animal body for treatment of tumors or targeted drug delivery when a magnetic field or near-IR radiation is applied.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the level of an analyte such as glucose in a subject comprises repeated steps of extracting a quantity of the analyte from the subject into a sample, for example using reverse iontophoresis, then measuring the concentration of the analyte with a method that depletes the analyte. Whereas known methods aim to deplete the analyte fully between extraction steps, the present method allows the concentration to build up with each cycle and measures successive changes in concentration. The higher concentrations present permit more reliable measurements to be made. The sample may be primed with an initial quantity of the analyte.

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.