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:
Aug. 08, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 08, 2000
Joseph C. Trautman, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Michel J. N. Cormier, Mountain View, CA (US);
Kellee Eng, Gilroy, CA (US);
Wei-qi Lin, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Hyunok L. Kim, Walnut, CA (US);
Sara L. Sendelbeck, Palo, CA (US);
Armand P. Neukermans, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Bruce P. Edwards, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Wai-loong Lim, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Andrew I. Poutiatine, Menlo Park, CA (US);
J. Richard Gyory, North Oaks, MN (US);
Joseph C. Trautman, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Michel J. N. Cormier, Mountain View, CA (US);
Kellee Eng, Gilroy, CA (US);
Wei-Qi Lin, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Hyunok L. Kim, Walnut, CA (US);
Sara L. Sendelbeck, Palo, CA (US);
Armand P. Neukermans, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Bruce P. Edwards, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Wai-Loong Lim, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Andrew I. Poutiatine, Menlo Park, CA (US);
J. Richard Gyory, North Oaks, MN (US);
Alza Corporation, Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
A device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions involves pre-stretching the skin to enhance pathway formation when the microprotrusions are pressed into the skin. An expandable device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface so that when the device is expanded the skin is stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to 2 megapascals. The device has a plurality of microprotrusions which penetrate the skin while the skin is being stretched by the expanded device. Another stretching device employs suction for skin stretching.