Patents by Inventor Michael J. Frits

Michael J. Frits 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).

  • Patent number: 11771878
    Abstract: A microneedle injection and infusion apparatus, and a method of using same. The apparatus can include a housing, a microneedle array holder for holding a microneedle array, and a shuttle that holds a cartridge (e.g., that contains an active agent). The microneedle array holder can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shuttle can be movable between a first position in which the cartridge is not in fluid communication with a fluid path and a second position in which the cartridge is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The apparatus can further include an actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The method can include moving the actuator to its second position to allow the shuttle to move toward its second position, wherein movement of the shuttle toward its second position allows the microneedle array holder to move to its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P.
    Inventors: Scott A. Burton, Chin-Yee Ng, Michael J. Frits, Richard R. Mathias
  • Patent number: 11458289
    Abstract: An applicator and method for applying a microneedle array to skin. The applicator can include a body having a first portion and a second portion defining a cavity, the second portion having a slot presented on an outside surface for insertion of the microneedle array into the cavity. The first portion and the second portion are slidable relative to one other along an axis enabling the body to be in an unprimed configuration and a primed configuration. The applicator further includes a door operable with the second portion, the door being movable from a first door position to a second door position, wherein when the device is in the unprimed configuration, the door at least partially obstructs the slot and access into the cavity. When the device is in the primed configuration, the door does not obstruct the slots and enables access into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P.
    Inventors: Craig S. Moeckly, Michael J. Frits, Steven P. Gowers, Gregory R. Ley, Richard R. Mathias, Robert G. M. Selby, Ryan Patrick Simmers, Michael B. Sivigny, Daniel G. T. Strange
  • Publication number: 20200324097
    Abstract: A microneedle injection and infusion apparatus, and a method of using same. The apparatus can include a housing, a microneedle array holder for holding a microneedle array, and a shuttle that holds a cartridge (e.g., that contains an active agent). The microneedle array holder can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shuttle can be movable between a first position in which the cartridge is not in fluid communication with a fluid path and a second position in which the cartridge is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The apparatus can further include an actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The method can include moving the actuator to its second position to allow the shuttle to move toward its second position, wherein movement of the shuttle toward its second position allows the microneedle array holder to move to its extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Scott A. BURTON, Chin-Yee NG, Michael J. FRITS, Richard R. MATHIAS
  • Publication number: 20200289808
    Abstract: An applicator and method for applying a microneedle array to skin. The applicator can include a body having a first portion and a second portion defining a cavity, the second portion having a slot presented on an outside surface for insertion of the microneedle array into the cavity. The first portion and the second portion are slidable relative to one other along an axis enabling the body to be in an unprimed configuration and a primed configuration. The applicator further includes a door operable with the second portion, the door being movable from a first door position to a second door position, wherein when the device is in the unprimed configuration, the door at least partially obstructs the slot and access into the cavity. When the device is in the primed configuration, the door does not obstruct the slots and enables access into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: KINDEVA DRUG DELIVERY L.P.
    Inventors: CRAIG S. MOECKLY, MICHAEL J. FRITS, STEVEN P. GOWERS, GREGORY R. LEY, RICHARD R. MATHIAS, ROBERT G. M. SELBY, RYAN PATRICK SIMMERS, MICHAEL B. SIVIGNY, DANIEL G.T. STRANGE
  • Patent number: 10716926
    Abstract: A microneedle injection and infusion apparatus, and a method of using same. The apparatus can include a housing, a microneedle array holder for holding a microneedle array, and a shuttle that holds a cartridge (e.g., that contains an active agent). The microneedle array holder can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shuttle can be movable between a first position in which the cartridge is not in fluid communication with a fluid path and a second position in which the cartridge is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The apparatus can further include an actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The method can include moving the actuator to its second position to allow the shuttle to move toward its second position, wherein movement of the shuttle toward its second position allows the microneedle array holder to move to its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P.
    Inventors: Scott A. Burton, Chin-Yee Ng, Michael J. Frits, Richard R. Mathias
  • Patent number: 10398885
    Abstract: An article (100) comprising at least one microneedle (160) is provided. The article comprises a first side (112) and a second side (114) opposite the first side. The first side comprises a central cavity portion (120) and a platform portion (130), with at least one microneedle extending therefrom, wherein the platform portion is not coplanar with the central cavity portion. The platform portion substantially surrounds the central cavity portion. The at least one microneedle comprises a body comprising an outer surface (163); a base segment (166) having a base (162) and a first shape; a tip segment (168) having a tip and a second shape, wherein the second shape is distinct from the first shape; a transition plane (167) that delineates the base segment and the tip segment; and a central axis (180). Methods of using the article are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Frits, Craig S. Moeckly, Daniel H. Berg, Jerome E. Gysbers, Ryan Patrick Simmers
  • Publication number: 20180110970
    Abstract: A microneedle injection and infusion apparatus, and a method of using same. The apparatus can include a housing, a microneedle array holder for holding a microneedle array, and a shuttle that holds a cartridge (e.g., that contains an active agent). The microneedle array holder can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shuttle can be movable between a first position in which the cartridge is not in fluid communication with a fluid path and a second position in which the cartridge is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The apparatus can further include an actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The method can include moving the actuator to its second position to allow the shuttle to move toward its second position, wherein movement of the shuttle toward its second position allows the microneedle array holder to move to its extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Scott A. Burton, Chin-Yee Ng, Michael J. Frits, Richard R. Mathias
  • Patent number: 9872975
    Abstract: A microneedle injection and infusion apparatus, and a method of using same. The apparatus (100) can include a housing (102), a microneedle array holder (106) for holding a microneedle array (107), and a shuttle (125) that holds a cartridge (e.g., that contains an active agent). The microneedle array holder can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shuttle can be movable between a first position in which the cartridge is not in fluid communication with a fluid path and a second position in which the cartridge is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The apparatus can further include an actuator (104) movable between a first position and a second position. The method can include moving the actuator to its second position to allow the shuttle to move toward its second position, wherein movement of the shuttle toward its second position allows the microneedle array holder to move to its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Burton, Chin-Yee Ng, Michael J. Frits, Richard R. Mathias
  • Publication number: 20180008807
    Abstract: An article (100) comprising at least one microneedle (160) is provided. The article comprises a first side (112) and a second side (114) opposite the first side. The first side comprises a central cavity portion (120) and a platform portion (130), with at least one microneedle extending therefrom, wherein the platform portion is not coplanar with the central cavity portion. The platform portion substantially surrounds the central cavity portion. The at least one microneedle comprises a body comprising an outer surface (163); a base segment (166) having a base (162) and a first shape; a tip segment (168) having a tip and a second shape, wherein the second shape is distinct from the first shape; a transition plane (167) that delineates the base segment and the tip segment; and a central axis (180). Methods of using the article are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. FRITS, CRAIG S. MOECKLY, DANIEL H. BERG, JEROME E. GYSBERS, RYAN PATRICK SIMMERS
  • Publication number: 20160082242
    Abstract: A microneedle injection and infusion apparatus, and a method of using same. The apparatus (100) can include a housing (102), a microneedle array holder (106) for holding a microneedle array (107), and a shuttle (125) that holds a cartridge (e.g., that contains an active agent). The microneedle array holder can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shuttle can be movable between a first position in which the cartridge is not in fluid communication with a fluid path and a second position in which the cartridge is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The apparatus can further include an actuator (104) movable between a first position and a second position. The method can include moving the actuator to its second position to allow the shuttle to move toward its second position, wherein movement of the shuttle toward its second position allows the microneedle array holder to move to its extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Scott A. Burton, Chin-Yee Ng, Michael J. Frits, Richard R. Mathias