A device for delivery of material or stimulus to targets within a body to produce a desired response, the targets being at least one of cells of interest, cell organelles of interest and cell nuclei of interest. The device includes a number of projections for penetrating a body surface, with the number of projections being selected to produce a desired response, and the number being at least 500. A spacing between projections is also at least partially determined based on an arrangement of the targets within the body.

A device for repeated intradermal injections within an organic tissue. The device comprises a support defining an internal housing for receiving a vial containing an aqueous solution, a source of pressurized air in fluid communication with the vial, a tube defining a pressurized solution path, a hollow injection needle, an injection head, a driven element with a distal end connected to the injection head, an actuator connected to the driven element, and a valve in fluid communication with the pressurized solution path for controlling a flow of the pressurized solution into the tube from the vial up to the distal end of the hollow injection needle.

A device for reducing retraction of edges of an opened fascia of a patient having an open soft-tissue defect. The device includes a holding element and an attachment element. The holding element is configured to be fixed with respect to the patient at a first distance from the patient. The attachment element has a plurality of attachment points configured for attaching tensioning means, which is configured to be connected to an edge of the fascia. The attachment element being connected to the holding element so as to be arranged at a second distance from the patient, which is less than the first distance. The attachment element is connected to the holding element via exactly one tensile force transmission element.

Exemplary embodiments of method and apparatus are provided for resurfacing of skin that includes formation of a plurality of small holes, e.g., having widths less than about 1 mm or 0.5 mm, using a mechanical apparatus, thus avoiding generation of thermal damage as occurs with conventional laser resurfacing procedures and devices. The holes formed can be well-tolerated by the skin, and can exhibit shorter healing times and less swelling than conventional resurfacing procedures. The apparatus includes one or more needles adapted to remove a small portion of tissue when inserted into and withdrawn from the skin. The fractional surface coverage of the holes can be between about 0.1 and 0.7, or between about 0.2 and 0.5. The exemplary method and apparatus can produce cosmetic effects such as increases in collagen content, epidermal thickness, and dermal/epidermal junction undulations in the skin.

A needling device may be used for needling of a subject's skin, and a drug applicator device may be used for applying a drug to a subject's skin. For example, a needling device may be applied to a subject's skin for hair growth applications, or may be used for wrinkle, scar, or tattoo removal. A drug applicator device may be used for multiple drug application purposes such as applying a hair growth compound to the skin of a subject.

A needling device may be used for needling of a subject's skin, and a drug applicator device may be used for applying a drug to a subject's skin. For example, a needling device may be applied to a subject's skin for hair growth applications, or may be used for wrinkle, scar, or tattoo removal. A drug applicator device may be used for multiple drug application purposes such as applying a hair growth compound to the skin of a subject.

The present invention relates to a microneedle system (MNS) for intradermally delivering solutions or formulations. The invention relates to a microneedle system, comprising a cover element (1), an active substance container (2), a frame (3), a microneedle array (MNA) (4) and a base plate (5), wherein the microneedle array (MNA) (4) is connected to the frame (3), and the base plate (5) has an opening for receiving the microneedle array (4), the cover element (1) and the base plate (5) are movably connected to one another, the base plate (5) is joined to a surgical tape (6), and the frame (3) and the base plate (5) can be linearly displaced with respect to one another. The MNS according to the invention is suitable for intradermally administering medicinal drugs, active substances, pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions or other substances to an individual, and preferably to a patient, over an extended period.

Exemplary embodiments of method and apparatus are provided for damaging and/or removing portions of subcutaneous fatty tissue while leaving the overlying dermal layer of the skin substantially undamaged. One or more hollow needles can be provided that include an arrangement within the lumen configured to retain or damage portions of fatty tissue that enter the lumen. Properties of the needle can be selected such that the needle can be inserted into skin and pass through the dermal layer, allowing fatty tissue to enter the distal portion of the lumen as it is advanced further, and then leaving the dermis undamaged when withdrawn. Such exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such needles, a reciprocating arrangement to mechanically advance and withdraw the one or more needles, and/or a vibrating arrangement.

A device and method for treating disease involves inserting a scope into a patient's body, the scope having a light source, a camera and a cartridge connected thereto. The cartridge has two chambers separated by membrane, a first one of the chambers containing a virus, and a second one of the chambers being connected to a plurality of microneedles configured for extending into the patient's tissue upon insertion of the scope. Cells from the patient are removed via suction from the microneedles and are deposited in the second chambers. The membrane is then broken to mix the virus with the cells to infect the cells, and the infected cells are then transported back into the patient to treat the disease.

A device and method for intravascular treatment of atherosclerotic plaque prior to balloon angioplasty which microperforates the plaque with small sharp spikes acting as serrations for forming cleavage lines or planes in the plaque. The spikes may also be used to transport medication into the plaque. The plaque preparation treatment enables subsequent angioplasty to be performed at low balloon pressures of about 4 atmospheres or less, reduces dissections, and avoids injury to the arterial wall. The subsequent angioplasty may be performed with a drug-eluting balloon (DEB) or drug-coated balloon (DCB). The pre-angioplasty perforation procedure enables more drug to be absorbed during DEB or DCB angioplasty, and makes the need for a stent less likely. Alternatively, any local incidence of plaque dissection after balloon angioplasty may be treated by applying a thin, ring-shaped tack at the dissection site only, rather than applying a stent over the overall plaque site.