The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 19, 2005
Filed:
Sep. 05, 2001
Michael D. Delmore, Grant, MN (US);
Patrick R. Fleming, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Douglas A. Huntley, Maplewood, MN (US);
Jamieson C. Keister, Lakeville, MN (US);
Cristina U. Thomas, Woodbury, MN (US);
Richard H. Ferber, Fridley, MN (US);
Michael D. Delmore, Grant, MN (US);
Patrick R. Fleming, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Douglas A. Huntley, Maplewood, MN (US);
Jamieson C. Keister, Lakeville, MN (US);
Cristina U. Thomas, Woodbury, MN (US);
Richard H. Ferber, Fridley, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Microneedle arrays, methods of manufacturing microneedles and methods of using microneedle arrays. The microneedles in the microneedle arrays may be in the form of tapered structures that include at least one channel formed in the outside surface of each microneedle. The microneedles may have bases that are elongated in one direction. The channels in microneedles with elongated bases may extend from one of the ends of the elongated bases towards the tips of the microneedles. The channels formed along the sides of the microneedles may optionally be terminated short of the tips of the microneedles. The microneedle arrays may also include conduit structures formed on the surface of the substrate on which the microneedle array is located. The channels in the microneedles may be in fluid communication with the conduit structures. One manner of using microneedle arrays of the present invention is in methods involving the penetration of skin to deliver medicaments or other substances and/or extract blood or tissue.