Abstract: Microneedle devices and methods of use thereof are provided for the enhanced transport of molecules, including drugs and biological molecules, across tissue by improving the interaction of microneedles and a deformable, elastic biological barrier, such as human skin. The devices and methods act to (1) limit the elasticity, (2) adapt to the elasticity, (3) utilize alternate ways of creating the holes for the microneedles to penetrate the biological barrier, other than the simply direct pressure of the microneedle substrate to the barrier surface, or (4) any combination of these methods. In preferred embodiments for limiting the elasticity of skin, the microneedle device includes features suitable for stretching, pulling, or pinching the skin to present a more rigid, less deformable, surface in the area to which the microneedles are applied (i.e. penetrate).

Abstract: Simple microneedle devices for delivery of drugs across or into biological tissue are provided, which permit drug delivery at clinically relevant rates across or into skin or other tissue barriers, with minimal or no damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. The devices include a substrate to which a plurality of hollow microneedles are attached or integrated, and at least one reservoir, containing the drug, selectably in communication with the microneedles, wherein the volume or amount of drug to be delivered can be selectively altered. The reservoir can be formed of a deformable, preferably elastic, material. The device typically includes a means, such as a plunger, for compressing the reservoir to drive the drug from the reservoir through the microneedles. In one embodiment, the reservoir is a syringe or pump connected to the substrate.

Abstract: Simple microneedle devices for delivery of drugs across or into biological tissue are provided, which permit drug delivery at clinically relevant rates across or into skin or other tissue barriers, with minimal or no damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. The devices include a substrate to which a plurality of hollow microneedles are attached or integrated, and at least one reservoir, containing the drug, selectably in communication with the microneedles, wherein the volume or amount of drug to be delivered can be selectively altered. The reservoir can be formed of a deformable, preferably elastic, material. The device typically includes a means, such as a plunger, for compressing the reservoir to drive the drug from the reservoir through the microneedles. In one embodiment, the reservoir is a syringe or pump connected to the substrate.

Abstract: Microneedle devices for transport of therapeutic and diagnostic materials and/or energy across tissue barriers, and methods for manufacturing the devices, are provided. The microneedles are hollow and/or porous and have diameters between about 10 nm and 1 mm. The microneedle devices permit drug delivery (or removal or sensing of body fluids) at clinically relevant rates across skin or other tissue barriers, without damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. Microfabrication techniques are used to cost-effectively produce arrays of microneedles from metals, silicon, silicon dioxide, ceramic, and polymeric materials. Methods are provided for making porous or hollow microneedles.

Abstract: Microneedle devices are provided for transport of therapeutic and biological molecules across tissue barriers and for use as microflameholders. In a preferred embodiment for transport across tissue, the microneedles are formed of a biodegradable polymer. Methods of making these devices, which can include hollow and/or porous microneedles, are also provided. A preferred method for making a microneedle includes forming a micromold having sidewalls which define the outer surface of the microneedle, electroplating the sidewalls to form the hollow microneedle, and then removing the micromold from the microneedle. In a preferred method of use, the microneedle device is used to deliver fluid material into or across a biological barrier from one or more chambers in fluid connection with at least one of the microneedles. The device preferably further includes a means for controlling the flow of material through the microneedles.

Abstract: Microneedle devices and methods of manufacture are provided for transport of molecules or energy across or into biological barriers, such as skin. The device can comprise one or more microneedles formed of a first material and a second material, wherein the second material is dispersed throughout the first material or forms a portion of the microneedle. The first material preferably is a polymer. The second material can be pore forming agents, structural components, biosensor, or molecules for release, such as drug. The device also can comprise a substrate and a plurality of microneedles extending from the substrate, wherein the microneedles have a beveled or tapered tip portion, a longitudinally extending exterior channel, or both. Methods of making these devices include providing a mold having a plurality of microdepressions which define the surface of a microneedle; filling the microdepressions with a first molding material; and molding the material, thereby forming microneedles.

Abstract: A method for reversibly, or irreversibly, altering the permeability of cells, tissues or other biological barriers, to molecules to be transported into or through these materials, through the application of acoustic energy, is enhanced by applying the ultrasound in combination with means for monitoring and/or implementing feedback controls. The acoustic energy is applied directly or indirectly to the cells or tissue whose permeability is to be altered, at a frequency and intensity appropriate to alter the permeability to achieve the desired effect, such as the transport of endogenous or exogenous molecules and/or fluid, for drug delivery, measurement of analyte, removal of fluid, alteration of cell or tissue viability or alteration of structure of materials such as kidney or gall bladder stones.

Abstract: Microneedle devices are provided for transport of therapeutic and biological molecules across tissue barriers and for use as microflameholders. In a preferred embodiment for transport across tissue, the microneedles are formed of a biodegradable polymer. Methods of making these devices, which can include hollow and/or porous microneedles, are also provided. A preferred method for making a microneedle includes forming a micromold having sidewalls which define the outer surface of the microneedle, electroplating the sidewalls to form the hollow microneedle, and then removing the micromold from the microneedle. In a preferred method of use, the microneedle device is used to deliver fluid material into or across a biological barrier from one or more chambers in fluid connection with at least one of the microneedles. The device preferably further includes a means for controlling the flow of material through the microneedles.

Abstract: A method of modifying epidermis for transport of a material by electroporation includes applying to epidermis an agent that, upon entry into the epidermis, will modify the epidermis to thereby cause and altered rate of transport of a material across the epidermis. Typically, the altered rate will be an increased rate of transport. The epidermis is electroporated, whereby at least a portion of the modifying agent enters the electroporated epidermis, thereby modifying the epidermis to cause an altered rate of transport of a material across the epidermis. In another embodiment, the modifying agent can modify the epidermis to enable measurement and/or monitoring of physiological conditions or change within or beneath the epidermis. The modifying agents can also be employed to facilitate discharge of fluids from within an organism, such as by providing pathways for discharge of fluids from a tumor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating tissue in response to a stimulus generated by the tissue. In one embodiment, the method transdermally treats an organism in response to a stimulus. In this embodiment, the medication is applied to epidermis of the organism, and the epidermis is electroporated in response to a stimulus, whereby the medication passes through the epidermis at a rate sufficient to alter the stimulus, thereby transdermally treating the organism. In another embodiment, the method measures a blood component content of blood. A portion of epidermis is electroporated to cause an aqueous fluid to be directed through an electroporated epidermis to a surface of the epidermis. Thereafter, the blood component content of the aqueous fluid is measured for correlation with a known aqueous fluid blood component content associated with a known concentration of blood component in the blood. The blood component concentration of the blood can thereby be measured.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating tissue in response to a stimulus generated by the tissue. In one embodiment, the method transdermally treats an organism in response to a stimulus. In this embodiment, the medication is applied to epidermis of the organism, and the epidermis is electroporated in response to a stimulus, whereby the medication passes through the epidermis at a rate sufficient to alter the stimulus, thereby transdermally treating the organism. In another embodiment, the method measures a blood component content of blood. A portion of epidermis is electroporated to cause an aqueous fluid to be directed through an electroporated epidermis to a surface of the epidermis. Thereafter, the blood component content of the aqueous fluid is measured for correlation with a known aqueous fluid blood component content associated with a known concentration of blood component in the blood. The blood component concentration of the blood can thereby be measured.

Abstract: Silicone hairspray compositions which give hair volume and hold but with a soft feel are disclosed. These compositions comprise from about 0.05% to about 10.0% of a silicone gum; from about 0.05% to about 7.5% of a dispersing aid for the silicone gum which may be a surfactant emulsifier or a hydrophobically-modified clay suspending/anti-agglomerating agent; and a volatile carrier, such as ethanol.

Abstract: Silicone hairspray compositions which give hair volume and hold but with a soft feel are disclosed. These compositions comprise from about 0.05% to about 10.0% of a nonrigid silicone gum, said gum having dispersed therein from about 0.03% to about 8.0% of unsolubilized particulate matter which is preferably an octyl acrylamide/acrylate/butyl aminoethyl methacrylate copolymer; from about 0.05% to about 5.0% of a hydrophobically-modified clay suspending/anti-agglomerating agent; and a volatile carrier, such as ethanol.