Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of a carbon nanotube structure which has substantially aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and to a temperature-controlled flow-through reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter comprising a self-supporting body of non-woven carbon nanotubes useful in the sequestration of an airborne virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming apparatus and devices including an anode including at least one metallic lithium layer and at least one backing layer, at least one cathode/counter electrode, at least one separator disposed between the anode and the at least one cathode/counter electrode and an electrolyte, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a lithium utilization efficiency of at least 80% and wherein the at least one backing layer weighs less than 30% of a copper backing layer of the same dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic waveguide comprising an electromagnetic interference shielding gasket which includes a self-supporting body of non-woven carbon nanotubes adapted to incorporate one or more apertures and to the electromagnetic interference shielding gasket per se.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming apparatus and devices including an anode including at least one metallic lithium layer and at least one backing layer, at least one cathode/counter electrode, at least one separator disposed between the anode and the at least one cathode/counter electrode and an electrolyte, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a lithium utilization efficiency of at least 80% and wherein the at least one backing layer weighs less than 30% of a copper backing layer of the same dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides carbon-nanotube (CNT)-polymer-metal composite substrate products, each product including a first current collector including at least one carbon nanotube (CNT) mat and a high conducting metallic element in electrical connection with a first tab, the high conducting metallic element bound to the at least one carbon nanotube mat, and optionally including a second current collector including a metallic conducting element in electrical connection with a second tab, a separator material separating between the first and second current collectors, an electrolyte solution disposed between the first collector and the second collector and a housing configured to house the first collector, second collector, separator material electrolyte solution and active material.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles (12) inserted into the biological barrier (14) is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles (12) project from a relief surface (16) which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region (18, 26) of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region (18, 26) is brought into contact with the biological barrier (14) and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary (20) between a stretched portion (22) and a non-stretched portion (24) of the barrier.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles inserted into the biological barrier is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles project from a relief surface which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region is brought into contact with the biological barrier and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary between a stretched portion and a non-stretched portion of the barrier.

Abstract: A method for processing a wafer to form a plurality of hollow microneedles projecting from a substrate includes forming, by use of a dry etching process, a number of groups of recessed features, each including at least one slot deployed to form an open shape having an included area and at least one hole located within the included area. The internal surfaces of the holes and the slots are then coated with a protective layer. An anisotropic wet etching process is then performed in such a manner as to remove material from outside the included areas while leaving a projecting feature within each of the included areas. The protective layer is then removed to reveal the microneedles.

Abstract: A method for processing a wafer to form a plurality of hollow microneedles projecting from a substrate includes forming, by use of a dry etching process, a number of groups of recessed features, each including at least one slot deployed to form an open shape having an included area and at least one hole located within the included area. The internal surfaces of the holes and the slots are then coated with a protective layer. An anisotropic wet etching process is then performed in such a manner as to remove material from outside the included areas while leaving a projecting feature within each of the included areas. The protective layer is then removed to reveal the microneedles.

Abstract: An adapter for achieving intradermal dosed delivery of a liquid by use of a dosed drug delivery device including a reservoir having a pierceable septum, the adapter having a connector including an attachment configuration for attachment to the dosed drug delivery device and a hollow needle deployed for piercing the septum. A liquid delivery interface, linked to the connector, includes a straight skin contact edge and one or more hollow microneedle adjacent thereto. The microneedle projects away from the skin contact edge. A flow path arrangement interconnects the needle and the at least one hollow microneedle.

Abstract: A device (10) and method for transporting fluids across biological barriers enhances penetration of a biological barrier by the use of directional insertion, preferably with asymmetric microneedles (18) and/or microneedles (18) with sharp edges. Additionally, or alternatively, adhesion followed by alteration of contact geometry is employed to stretch the biological barrier across the microneedles (18), thereby also enhancing penetration. Also disclosed is a device (10) and method which combine shallow penetration by hollow microneedles (18) with jet injection via the microneedles (18) to achieve a total liquid penetration depth greater than the mechanical penetration depth of the microneedles (18).

Abstract: A device (100, 200) for superficial abrasive treatment of the skin includes a skin interface element (102, 202) with a number of protrusions (106, 206) projecting to a height above a substrate (104, 204) of no greater than 200 microns. A vibration generating mechanism (108, 208) is mechanically linked to the skin interface element (102, 202) so as to generate vibratory motion of the skin interface element (102, 202).

Abstract: A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles (12) inserted into the biological barrier (14) is generally sideways projecting from. the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles (12) project from a relief surface (16) which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region (18, 26) of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region (18, 26) is brought into contact with the biological barrier (14) and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary (20) between a stretched portion (22) and a non-stretched portion (24) of the barrier.

Abstract: A microneedle device for transporting fluid through a surface of a biological barrier, the device including a fluid transport configuration, an abutment member and a displacement device. The fluid transport configuration includes a substrate having a substantially planar surface having a plurality of microneedles projecting therefrom. The abutment member has an abutment surface for abutting the biological barrier. The displacement device is configured for generating a relative lateral sliding movement between the surface of the biological barrier and the fluid transport configuration in a sliding direction of the microneedles The microneedles are arranged so that a leading microneedle defines an effective area which is effective void of another microneedle. The effective area is defined as an area marked out by translating the base area of the leading microneedle, by the height of the leading microneedle, in a direction opposite to the sliding direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for intradermally delivering one or more biologically active agents such as vaccines and therapeutic agents into the dermis layer of the skin of a subject to obtain systemic delivery or an immune response using a microneedle drug delivery device containing the agent to be delivered. The methods employ a microneedle device with a row of hollow microneedles. The microneedles penetrate the skin of the subject and assume an anchored state in which the microneedles are anchored in the skin and project laterally from the device. A pivotal motion is then performed with the device so that the skin in which the microneedles are engaged is lifted above the initial plane of the surface of the skin while the biologically active agent is delivered. The methods of the invention elicit increased humoral and/or cellular response as compared to conventional vaccine delivery routes, facilitating dose sparing.

Abstract: A microneedle device for delivery or sampling of fluids to or from intradermal layers of the skin of a mammalian subject includes a skin contact configuration defining an orientation of the device and a number of microneedles The microneedles are deployed relative to the skin contact configuration so that, when deployed against the skin, a first region of a peripheral surface of the microneedle is deployed roughly parallel to the initial plane of the skin. A fluid flow bore intersects the first region of the peripheral surface.

Abstract: A microstructure for transferring a substance through the surface of the skin, comprising a substrate having a first and a second side and at least one microstructure projecting from the second side of the substrate. The micrstructure has at least one hollow. The hollow is isolated from the fluid connection with the first side of the substrate. The hollow is configured such that, when the microstructure is inserted through the surface of the skin, at least part of the substance is transferred through the surface of the skin in the hollow.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles inserted into the biological barrier is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles project from a relief surface which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region is brought into contact with the biological barrier and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary between a stretched portion and a non-stretched portion of the barrier.

Abstract: A method for producing microneedles. The method including disposing a first layer of a radiation sensitive polymer on to a working surface and selectively irradiating the first layer such that the first layer has at least one irradiated region and at least one non-irradiated region. The method also including developing the first layer so as to selectively remove one of the at least one irradiated region and the at least one non-irradiated region such that, at least part of at least one remaining region at least partially defines a form of at least part of a microneedle structure. A microneedle structure including a plurality of microneedles at least partially formed from a radiation sensitive polymer.