Abstract: A method for manufacturing microneedle structures is disclosed using soft lithography and photolithography, in which micromold structures made of a photoresist material or PDMS are created. The micromold manufacturing occurs quite quickly, using inexpensive materials and processes. Once the molds are available, using moldable materials such as polymers, microneedle arrays can be molded or embossed in relatively fast procedures. In some cases a sacrificial layer is provided between the forming micromold and its substrate layer, for ease of separation. The microneedles themselves can be solid projections, hollow “microtubes,” or shallow “microcups.” Electrodes can be formed on the microneedle arrays, including individual electrodes per hollow microtube.

Abstract: A responsive coated particle comprising at least one particle comprising an interfacial surface to which a responsive coating attaches, said responsive coating comprising (a) at least one silicone-based, substantially hydrophobic polymer and (b) at least one substantially hydrophilic polymer wherein said responsive coating particle is in a first state.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing microstructures of the type which contain a substrate and an array of protruding microelements with through-holes, which are used in penetrating layers of skin. The microelements are embossed or pressed into an initial substrate structure, which in some embodiments is formed from extruded polymeric material, and in some cases from two layers of polymer that are co-extruded. The through-holes are formed from filled through-cylinders of a second material that is removed after the embossing or pressing step; in other instances, the through-holes are left hollow during the embossing or pressing step.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing microstructures that can penetrate skin layers, in which the microelements are formed during a molding process while fluidic jets produce openings in the microelements. The structures used in the molding process are formed by tooling that creates the shapes of the microelements in a material deposition step, and also creates the sizes and shapes of the openings that will be formed by the fluidic jets.

Abstract: A durable hydrophilic coating composition is provided comprising a film forming polymer, a wetting agent and from about 0.001% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica and combinations thereof and have a particle size of from about 1 to about 750 nanometers. The weight ratio of the film forming polymer to the nanoparticles is from about 1:1 to about 1:30. A disposable absorbent article is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved microneedle arrays are provided having a sufficiently large separation distance between each of the individual microneedles to ensure penetration of the skin while having a sufficiently small separation distance to provide high transdermal transport rates. A very useful range of separation distances between microneedles is in the range of 100-300 microns, and more preferably in the range of 100-200 microns. The outer diameter and microneedle length is also very important, and in combination with the separation distance will be crucial as to whether or not the microneedles will actually penetrate the stratum corneum of skin. For circular microneedles, a useful outer diameter range is from 20-100 microns, and more preferably in the range of 20-50 microns.

Abstract: A method of assessing damage of a fibrous substrate comprises the steps of: (a) providing said fibrous substrate having a length, a root end, and a tip end; (b) providing a means for assessing substrate moisture content; (c) using said means for assessing substrate moisture content to obtain at least a first measured moisture content value for said fibrous substrate at a first position along the length of said fibrous substrate and a second measured moisture content value for said fibrous substrate at a second position along the length of said fibrous substrate; (d) comparing said measured moisture content values with each other to obtain a measured moisture content differential; and (e) correlating said measured moisture content differential to a substrate damage value for said fibrous substrate.

Abstract: An improved method is provided to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. For the microstructure used in the improved method, the dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate and retain those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In another embodiment of the improved method, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of skin cells accumulated using the improved method represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus associated with the improved method.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to deliver a composition, preferably a medical or pharmaceutical composition or active, through the stratum corneum of skin, without introducing bleeding or damage to tissue, and absent pain or other trauma. The dimensions and shapes of the microelements are controlled so as to control the penetration depth into the skin. The microelements can be “hollow” such that passageways are created therethrough to allow the composition to flow from a chamber, through the microelements, and into the skin. Alternatively, the microelements can be “solid,” and the composition is applied directly to the skin just before or just after the microelements are applied to the skin surface to create the openings in the stratum corneum.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: A microvalve (10) for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion (14) having a plurality of spaced openings (18) formed therein, a shutter (12) located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings (16) formed therein, a drive mechanism (20, 22) for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism (36, 38, 40, 42) for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having at least one opening formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion, and a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to pivot with respect to the body portion so that the shutter is brought into and out of alignment with the opening of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in a closed position and an open position, respectively.

Abstract: Improved microneedle arrays are provided having a sufficiently large separation distance between each of the individual microneedles to ensure penetration of the skin while having a sufficiently small separation distance to provide high transdermal transport rates. A very useful range of separation distances between microneedles is in the range of 100–300 microns, and more preferably in the range of 100–200 microns. The outer diameter and microneedle length is also very important, and in combination with the separation distance will be crucial as to whether or not the microneedles will actually penetrate the stratum corneum of skin. For circular microneedles, a useful outer diameter range is from 20–100 microns, and more preferably in the range of 20–50 microns.

Abstract: A microvalve (10) for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion (14) having at least one opening (18) formed therein, a shutter (12) located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion, and a drive mechanism (20, 22) for causing the shutter to pivot with resect to the body portion so that the shutter is brought into and out of alignment with the opening of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in a closed position and an open position, respectively.

Abstract: A directional coupler sensor is provided for measuring the moisture content of a substrate, such as hair. The sensor incorporates a high frequency directional coupler having a pair of generally parallel plates defining a coupling gap therebetween. A high frequency signal generator generates an electromagnetic field across the gap with the substrate placed across the coupling gap. The coupled power relates to the moisture content of the substrate. A pressure sensor is provided to ensure that the desired compactness of the substrate across the coupling gap is achieved to obtain accurate, reliable and consistent results.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. The dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In addition, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of accumulated skin cells represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus.

Abstract: A device is provided for the measurement of the moisture content of a substrate. The device utilizes a high-Q LC circuit having a resonant frequency. The LC circuit utilizes a high-Q inductor and a capacitor. The device also utilizes a high frequency signal generator, operable to couple power to the capacitor, electrically coupled to the LC circuit and a fiber matrix modification unit. The resonant frequency of the LC circuit is changeable in response to the moisture content of the substrate placed within the fiber matrix modification unit and proximate to the capacitor.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing microstructures of the type which contain a substrate and an array of protruding microelements with through-holes, which are used in penetrating layers of skin. The microelements are embossed or pressed into an initial substrate structure, which in some embodiments is formed from extruded polymeric material, and in some cases from two layers of polymer that are co-extruded. The through-holes are formed from filled through-cylinders of a second material that is removed after the embossing or pressing step; in other instances, the through-holes are left hollow during the embossing or pressing step.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having at least one opening formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion, and a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to pivot with respect to the body portion so that the shutter is brought into and out of alignment with the opening of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in a closed position and an open position, respectively.