A device includes a basal portion and a plurality of blade portions disposed on the basal portion. The blade portion has a thin shape, and a distal end portion of the blade portion has a convex shape.

Disclosed are nanotopography-based methods and devices for interacting with a component of the dermal connective tissue. Devices include structures fabricated on a surface to form a nanotopography. A random or non-random pattern of structures may be fabricated such as a complex pattern including structures of differing sizes and/or shapes. Microneedles may be beneficially utilized for delivery of an agent to a cell or tissue. Devices may be utilized to directly or indirectly alter cell behavior through the interaction of a fabricated nanotopography with the plasma membrane of a cell and/or with an extracellular matrix component.

The present invention concerns delivery of agents through the skin. Methods for delivering agents such as bioactive agents are contemplated by the present invention. Specifically, methods for the targeted delivery of agents to one or more areas of the epidermis and thereby, to one or more cancer tumors are described.

A device and method for delivering a high viscosity composition is described. The composition includes a bioactive agent for delivery to a subject in need thereof. The method delivers the bioactive agent at a high bioavailability and with little loss of agent to the natural defense mechanisms of the body. The device includes one or more microneedles with structures fabricated on a surface of the microneedles to form a nanotopography. A random or non-random pattern of structures may be fabricated such as a complex pattern including structures of differing sizes and/or shapes.

A microneedle includes a base having a support surface, and a projection that protrudes from the support surface, the projection having a through hole that penetrates the projection in an extending direction of the projection. The projection includes a flow path expansion section which is configured to expand a communication path that communicates between an inner space of the through hole and a space surrounding the projection in response to an increase in pressure of a fluid flowing in the through hole.

Disclosed are composite microneedles arrays including microneedles and a film overlaying the microneedles. The film includes a plurality of nano-sized structures fabricated thereon. Devices may be utilized for interacting with a component of the dermal connective tissue. A random or non-random pattern of structures may be fabricated such as a complex pattern including structures of differing sizes and/or shapes. Devices may be beneficially utilized for delivery of an agent to a cell or tissue. Devices may be utilized to directly or indirectly alter cell behavior through the interaction of a fabricated nanotopography with the plasma membrane of a cell and/or with an extracellular matrix component.

The present application provides articles (10) having a polymeric substrate (12) with a plurality of solid and/or hollow microneedles (20) extending therefrom. Each solid microneedle is formed by a molding process and the microneedle has body with first (30) and second cavities (40) extending therein. The hollow microneedles are formed by removing a portion of the polymeric material disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity. A method for determining the location of a microneedle in an article comprising solid microneedles is also provided. The method comprises directing electromagnetic radiation toward an article comprising a plurality of microneedles and imaging the article.

A high-density microneedle of the present disclosure includes: a sheet portion attached to skin; a substrate portion arranged on the sheet portion; and a plurality of insertion pieces arranged on the substrate portion, wherein the substrate portion is arranged on the sheet portion while having a plurality of layers formed therein.

A dual chambered syringe includes: an inner barrel defining a first inner chamber, the inner barrel having an apertured stopper at its distal end, the inner barrel being open at its proximal end; a shaft adapted to fit within the inner barrel, the shaft having a distal end which is engageable with the aperture of the stopper; a device for controlling engaging and disengaging of the distal end of the shaft with the aperture of the stopper; an outer barrel concentric with the inner barrel defining a second inner chamber, the outer barrel having a distal end for receiving and dispensing fluids and a proximal end into which the distal end of the inner barrel is insertable into the second inner chamber; the apertured stopper engages the second inner chamber of the outer barrel and selectively prevents or permits the passage of fluids between the outer barrel second chamber and the inner barrel first chamber; the inner barrel having an engageable surface on its outside surface; and, the outer barrel having operatively associated therewith an engaging device for selective engagement and disengagement with the engageable surface on the inner barrel.

Composite microneedle arrays including microneedles and a film overlaying the microneedles are provided. The film includes a plurality of nano-sized structures fabricated thereon. Devices may be utilized for interacting with a component of the dermal connective tissue. A random or non-random pattern of structures may be fabricated such as a complex pattern including structures of differing sizes and/or shapes. Devices may be beneficially utilized for delivery of an agent to a cell or tissue. Devices may be utilized to directly or indirectly alter cell behavior through the interaction of a fabricated nanotopography with the plasma membrane of a cell and/or with an extracellular matrix component.