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: 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. Another alternative embodiment uses cylindrical microstructures that are rotatably applied to the skin and which penetrate through the stratum corneum; and which can dispense fluid by various different structures.

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 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. Some of the microstructures are designed with very close-packed microelements, which in some cases have flexible substrates.

Abstract: A hollow microneedle with a substantially sharp edge is provided that includes at least one longitudinal blade at the top surface or tip of the microneedle to aid in penetration of the stratum corneum of skin. In a preferred embodiment, there are two such longitudinal blades that are constructed on opposite surfaces at approximately a 180° angle along the cylindrical side wall of the microneedle. Each edged blade has a cross-section that, when viewed from above the microneedle top, has an isosceles triangle profile. The blade's edge can run the entire length of the microneedle from its very top surface to its bottom surface where it is mounted onto the substrate, or the edge can be discontinued partway down the length of the microneedle. A star-shaped solid microneedle also is provided having at least one blade with a relatively sharp edge to assist in penetrating the stratum corneum of skin.

Abstract: A strip-like microneedle device is provided that includes an array of hollow microneedles, a diaphragm pump to extract interstitial fluid from skin, and a sensor that detects the concentration of the fluid. The microneedle device can be interfaced to an external sensor to produce a reading, or can be self-contained. One version uses an attachable/detachable microneedle array as a single-use, disposable unit. The device is portable, and is used by placing one finger on the microneedle array, and actuating the diaphragm pump with another finger, thereby obtaining the fluid sample. Solid coated or transparent microneedles could instead be used as an in-situ sensor, with either electrodes or an optical sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the meaningful suppression of the growth potential of a pathogen in-vivo, the apparatus including an electromagnetic radiation source capable of providing broad-spectrum electromagnetic radiation, wherein the broad-spectrum electromagnetic radiation has wavelengths of from about 190 nm to about 1200 nm, the broad-spectrum electromagnetic radiation having an intensity sufficient to achieve meaningful suppression in the growth potential of the pathogen in-vivo and wherein at least part of the apparatus is adapted for placement proximate to the in-vivo location of the pathogen.

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. Some of the microelement shapes are purposefully designed with distal ends that exhibit sharp edges rather than sharp tips to reduce skin irritation.

Abstract: A strip-like microneedle device is provided that includes an array of hollow microneedles, a diaphragm pump to extract interstitial fluid from skin, and a sensor that detects the concentration of the fluid. The microneedle device can be interfaced to an external sensor to produce a reading, or can be self-contained. One version uses an attachable/detachable microneedle array as a single-use, disposable unit. The device is portable, and is used by placing one finger on the microneedle array, and actuating the diaphragm pump with another finger, thereby obtaining the fluid sample. Solid coated or transparent microneedles could instead be used as an in-situ sensor, with either electrodes or an optical sensor.

Abstract: An array of hollow microneedles is constructed of molded plastic, in which a micro-machining technique is used to fabricate the molds used in a plastic microforming process. The molds are detachable and can be re-used. The preferred process for making the plastic arrays of microneedles is a microinjection technique. In the microinjection method, a molten plastic substance is injected between two micro-machined molds that contain microhole and micropillar arrays. Once the desired shape of the microneedle array has been formed, the mold and the plastic material are cooled down. Next, the molds are separated and the plastic microneedle array is detached from the mold structures.

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 microneedle array is manufactured using a mold preparation procedure that begins by placing an optical mask over a layer of PMMA material, exposing the PMMA material to x-rays, then developing using a photoresist process. The remaining PMMA material is then electroplated with metal. Once the metal has reached an appropriate thickness, it is detached to become a metal mold that is used in a microembossing procedure, in which the metal mold is pressed against a heated layer of plastic material. Once the mold is pressed down to its proper distance, the plastic material is cooled until solidified, and the mold is then detached, thereby leaving behind an array of microneedles.

Abstract: A first embodiment microneedle array is constructed of silicon and silicon dioxide compounds using MEMS technology and standard microfabrication techniques to create hollow cylindrical individual microneedles. The resulting array of microneedles can penetrate with a small pressure through the stratum corneum of skin to either deliver drugs or to facilitate interstitial fluid sampling through the hollow microneedles into the epidermis. The delivery of drugs and sampling of fluids can be performed by way of passive diffusion (time release), instantaneous injection, or iontophoresis. In a second embodiment, an array of hollow (or solid) microneedles is constructed of plastic or some other type of molded or cast material. An electric field may be used to increase transdermal flow rate, and the microneedles can be effectively combined with the application of an electric field between an anode and cathode attached to the skin which causes a low-level electric current.

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: 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: One embodiment of a microneedle array is constructed of silicon and silicon dioxide compounds using MEMS technology and standard microfabrication techniques to create hollow cylindrical individual microneedles. The resulting array of microneedles is designed to penetrate the stratum corneum and epidermis layers of skin, but not into the dermis. In a second embodiment, an array of hollow (or solid) microneedles are constructed of molded plastic, in which a micro-machining technique is used to fabricate the molds used in a plastic microforming process. Such molds contain a micropillar array and/or microhole array. The manufacturing procedures for creating plastic arrays of microneedles include: “self-molding,” micromolding, microembossing, and microinjection techniques. In the “self-molding” method, a plastic (e.g.

Abstract: A microneedle array is constructed of silicon and silicon dioxide compounds using MEMS (i.e., Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) technology and standard microfabrication techniques. The microneedle array may be fabricated from a silicon die which can be etched in a microfabrication process to create hollow cylindrical individual microneedles. The resulting array of microneedles can penetrate with a small pressure through the stratum corneum of skin (including skin of animals, reptiles, or other creatures—typically skin of a living organism) to either deliver drugs or to facilitate interstitial fluid sampling through the hollow microneedles.

Abstract: A microneedle array, constructed of silicon and silicon dioxide compounds or of a molded plastic material, is provided to penetrate the stratum corneum and epidermis layers of skin, but not into the dermis. The microneedles can be used to either dispense a liquid drug, or to sample a body fluid. The delivery of drugs and sampling of fluids can be performed by way of passive diffusion (time release), instantaneous injection, or iontophoresis. A complete closed-loop system can be manufactured including active elements, such as micro-machined pumps, as well as passive elements such as sensors. A “smart patch” can thereby be fabricated that samples body fluids, performs chemistry to decide on the appropriate drug dosage, and then administers the corresponding amount of drug. An electric field may be used to increase transdermal flow rate.