Abstract: Self-righting articles, such as self-righting capsules for administration to a subject, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may be configured such that the article may orient itself relative to a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). The self-righting articles described herein may comprise one or more tissue engaging surfaces configured to engage (e.g., interface with, inject into, anchor) with a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). In some embodiments, the self-righting article may have a particular shape and/or distribution of density (or mass) which, for example, enables the self-righting behavior of the article. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may comprise a tissue interfacing component and/or a pharmaceutical agent (e.g., for delivery of the active pharmaceutical agent to a location internal of the subject).

Abstract: A device for extracting an interstitial fluid sample from the skin of a mammal subject is disclosed. The device comprises at least one micro-needle comprising a tip portion configured to be inserted into the skin of the mammal subject, and a passage configured to transport the interstitial fluid from the skin to a retaining material arranged in a channel of a body of the device. The retaining material is fluidically connected to the passage and configured to absorb and store the interstitial fluid sample transported by the passage. A holder configured to receive such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microneedle particle arranged to be rolled and massaged on a subject's skin to penetrate the stratum corneum is disclosed. The microparticle comprises a support body, and a plurality of microneedles protruding from the support body (20), each microneedle comprising a tip. The support body maintains the microneedles and tips in a predetermined conformation allowing the microneedle particle to be rolled on the skin. The microneedles have an average tip sharpness radius of less than 20 ?m, an average microneedle length of less than 100 ?m, and an average tip sharpness to microneedle length ratio of 1:5 to 1:200. Formulations and kits for said use are provided. A microneedle particle manufacturing method using a non-linear two-photon absorption process, a non-therapeutic cosmetic method of skin treatment, and a method of drug delivery through the skin for said microneedle particle are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microfluidic device and a method for transporting and sampling a defined volume of plasma, providing a fluid passageway from an inlet to an outlet comprising a first region with the inlet with a first high flow resistance configured to receive and collect a whole blood sample and to separate plasma; and a second region with the outlet lower flow resistance. The second region is in fluid connection with the first region and configured to meter the separated plasma by comprising a metering channel.

Abstract: A method for assembling one or more microchips into respective holes in a substrate surface of a separate receiving substrate for microchip insertion that is out-of-plane in relation to the substrate surface. The microchips are placed on the substrate surface and moved by one or more magnetic fields affecting a ferromagnetic layer of each microchip so that the microchips become out-of-plane oriented in relation to the substrate surface and are assembled into the holes.

Abstract: Self-actuating articles including, for example, self-actuating needles and/or self-actuating biopsy punches, are generally provided. Advantageously, the self-actuating articles described herein may be useful as a general platform for delivery of a wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs that are typically delivered via injection directly into tissue due to degradation in the GI tract. The self-actuating articles described herein may also be used to deliver sensors and/or take biopsies without the need for an endoscopy. In some embodiments, the article comprises a spring (e.g., a coil spring, a beam, a material having particular mechanical recovery characteristics).

Abstract: A drug delivery device for administration to a subject is provided. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device includes a reservoir containing an active pharmaceutical ingredient and a potential energy source. The drug delivery device also includes a trigger operatively associated with the potential energy source, where the trigger is configured to actuate at a predetermined location within the subject. The drug delivery device also includes a rupturable membrane disposed along a flow path extending between the reservoir and an outlet, where the membrane is configured to rupture when the trigger is actuated. Once the trigger is actuated, the potential energy from the potential energy source may be released to expel the active pharmaceutical ingredient in a jet through the outlet.

Abstract: Self-actuating articles including, for example, self-actuating needles and/or self-actuating biopsy punches, are generally provided. Advantageously, the self-actuating articles described herein may be useful as a general platform for delivery of a wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs that are typically delivered via injection directly into tissue due to degradation in the GI tract. The self-actuating articles described herein may also be used to deliver sensors and/or take biopsies without the need for an endoscopy. In some embodiments, the article comprises a spring (e.g., a coil spring, a beam, a material having particular mechanical recovery characteristics).

Abstract: A spray nozzle chip comprising: a first layer provided with a first layer orifice, and a mechanically flexible nozzle layer provided with a nozzle orifice, wherein the first layer has a valve seat arranged aligned with the nozzle orifice, wherein the spray nozzle chip has a valve functionality obtained by movement of the nozzle layer relative to the valve seat due to pressure changes, and wherein the nozzle layer is arranged at a distance from the valve seat when the nozzle layer is in a default non-pressurised state, whereby a gap with a gap length (L) is formed between the nozzle layer and the valve seat, wherein the gap length (L) is smaller than a dimension of a specific bacterial type, to thereby seal against bacterial ingrowth through the nozzle orifice of the specific bacterial type.

Abstract: A capillary driven microfluidic device with blood plasma separation means that can be used to separate, meter and transfer a blood sample. The blood separation means can be arranged as a capillary pump by the configuration of a porous membrane and the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A device and technique for detaching cells or tissue from a cavity in a subject including an elongated member arranged to be moved within a lumen of a needle or a catheter. The device further includes at least one flexible member arranged at a distal end of the elongated member. The flexible member is configured to be brought between a first, constrained configuration within the lumen of the needle or catheter, and a second, expanded configuration outside said lumen. The flexible member in the second, expanded configuration is configured to conform to an inner geometry of a cavity in which the device is inserted.

Abstract: A biopsy device for sampling cells or tissue in a subject, the biopsy device comprising: a tubular member defining a lumen; and an elongated member movably arranged within the lumen of the tubular member, wherein a distal portion of the elongated member comprises a tissue capture arrangement including a plurality of rigid protrusions.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for administration to a subject is provided. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device includes a reservoir containing an active pharmaceutical ingredient and a potential energy source. The drug delivery device also includes a trigger operatively associated with the potential energy source, where the trigger is configured to actuate at a predetermined location within the subject. The drug delivery device also includes a rupturable membrane disposed along a flow path extending between the reservoir and an outlet, where the membrane is configured to rupture when the trigger is actuated. Once the trigger is actuated, the potential energy from the potential energy source may be released to expel the active pharmaceutical ingredient in a jet through the outlet.

Abstract: A device for detaching cells or tissue from a cavity in a subject, the device includes: an elongated member arranged to be moved within a lumen of a needle or a catheter; and at least one flexible member arranged at a distal end of the elongated member, wherein the flexible member is configured to be brought between a first, constrained configuration within the lumen of the needle or catheter, and a second, expanded configuration outside said lumen, wherein the flexible member in the second, expanded configuration is configured to conform to an inner geometry of a cavity in which the device is inserted.

Abstract: Components with relatively high loading of active pharmaceutical ingredients (e.g., drugs), are generally provided. In some embodiments, the component (e.g., a tissue interfacing component) comprises a solid therapeutic agent (e.g., a solid API) and a supporting material (e.g., a binder such as a polymer) such that the solid therapeutic agent is present in the component in an amount of greater than or equal to 10 wt % versus the total weight of the tissue interfacing component. Such tissue-interfacing components may be useful for delivery of API doses e.g., to a subject. Advantageously, in some embodiments, the reduction of volume required to deliver the required API dose as compared to a liquid formulation permits the creation of solid needle delivery systems for a wide variety of drugs in a variety of places/tissues (e.g., tongue, GI mucosal tissue, skin) and/or reduces and/or eliminates the application of an external force in order to inject a drug solution through the small opening in the needle.

Abstract: Self-righting articles, such as self-righting capsules for administration to a subject, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may be configured such that the article may orient itself relative to a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). The self-righting articles described herein may comprise one or more tissue engaging surfaces configured to engage (e.g., interface with, inject into, anchor) with a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). In some embodiments, the self-righting article may have a particular shape and/or distribution of density (or mass) which, for example, enables the self-righting behavior of the article. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may comprise a tissue interfacing component and/or a pharmaceutical agent (e.g., for delivery of the active pharmaceutical agent to a location internal of the subject).

Abstract: A method for forming a monolithic swirl nozzle configured to aerosolize a pharmaceutical drug. The swirl nozzle comprises an inlet for receiving the pharmaceutical drug to be aerosolized; a swirl chamber connected to the inlet and configured to aerosolize the pharmaceutical drug provided by the inlet; and an outlet connected to the swirl chamber and configured to discharge the aerosolized pharmaceutical drug. The method comprises providing a photoactivatable material and forming the swirl nozzle by selectively activating voxels in the photoactivatable material.

Abstract: Self-actuating articles including, for example, self-actuating needles and/or self-actuating biopsy punches, are generally provided. Advantageously, the self-actuating articles described herein may be useful as a general platform for delivery of a wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs that are typically delivered via injection directly into tissue due to degradation in the GI tract. The self-actuating articles described herein may also be used to deliver sensors and/or take biopsies without the need for an endoscopy. In some embodiments, the article comprises a spring (e.g., a coil spring, a beam, a material having particular mechanical recovery characteristics).

Abstract: A microneedle (100) for extracting a blood sample from the skin (10) of a mammal subject is disclosed. The microneedle comprises at least one substantially flat blade (110) comprising at least one cutting edge (120a, 120b) configured to incise the skin of the mammal subject, and at least one microchannel (130) comprising an opening (132) and a passage (134). The at least one microchannel is arranged adjacent to the at least one blade and configured to be inserted into the skin of the mammal subject together with the at least one blade. The passage is configured to transport the blood sample away from the opening via capillary action. A device (200) for extracting a blood sample from a mammal subject comprising a microneedle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drug delivery device may be configured to delivery an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to a subject via the subject's oral-gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The drug delivery device may be configured to deliver a payload of an API while within the GI tract of the subject. The drug delivery device may include a reservoir, a potential energy source, a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of valves, wherein each outlet has a corresponding valve. The drug delivery device may further include a sensor configured to sense the direction of gravity, and the valves may be selectively opened based on a sensed direction of gravity. Thus, the drug delivery device may dispense a dose of API within the GI tracts of the subject based at least in part on the sensed direction of gravity.