Patents by Inventor Hyunok L. Kim

Hyunok L. Kim has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions
    Patent number: 7087035
    Abstract: A device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions involves pre-stretching the skin to enhance pathway formation when the microprotrusions are pressed into the skin. An expandable device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface so that when the device is expanded the skin is stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to 2 megapascals. The device has a plurality of microprotrusions which penetrate the skin while the skin is being stretched by the expanded device. Another stretching device employs suction for skin stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Trautman, Michel J. N. Cormier, Kellee Eng, Wei-Qi Lin, Hyunok L. Kim, Sara L. Sendelbeck, Armand P. Neukermans, Bruce P. Edwards, Wai-Loong Lim, Andrew I. Poutiatine, J. Richard Gyory
  • Skin treatment method and apparatus for sustained transdermal drug delivery
    Publication number: 20040181203
    Abstract: An expandable skin stretching device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface on opposite sides of an area of the skin surface having micropathways therein. When the skin stretching device is expanded the skin between the opposite ends is placed under tension, i.e., stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to about 2 megapascals. The skin stretching can be unidirectional or multi-directional. Alternative embodiments of skin stretching devices use suction or normal force to stretch the skin. Stretching the skin helps keep the micropathways open for enhanced agent (e.g., drug) delivery through the micropathways. The stretching also delays micropathway closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Michel J.N. Cormier, Joseph C. Trautman, Hyunok L. Kim, Ahmad P. Samiee, Armand P. Neukermans, Bruce P. Edwards, Wai-Loong Lim, Andrew I. Poutiatine
  • Skin treatment method and apparatus for sustained transdermal drug delivery
    Publication number: 20020111600
    Abstract: An expandable skin stretching device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface on opposite sides of an area of the skin surface having micropathways therein. When the skin stretching device is expanded the skin between the opposite ends is placed under tension, i.e., stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to about 2 megapascals. The skin stretching can be uni-directional or multi-directional. Alternative embodiments of skin stretching devices use suction or normal force to stretch the skin. Stretching the skin helps keep the micropathways open for enhanced agent (e.g., drug) delivery through the micropathways. The stretching also delays micropathway closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Michel J.N. Cormier, Joseph C. Trautman, Hyunok L. Kim, Ahmad P. Samiee, Armand P. Neukermans, Bruce P. Edwards, Wai-Loong Lim, Andrew I. Poutiatine