Patent US6924087B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6924087B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymer microneedles
Assignee: NANO PASS TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
•
Filing: 2003-03-27
•
Granted: 2005-08-02
•
Expires: 2023-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing microneedles. The method including disposing a first layer of a radiation sensitive polymer on to a working surface and selectively irradiating the first layer such that the first layer has at least one irradiated region and at least one non-irradiated region. The method also including developing the first layer so as to selectively remove one of the at least one irradiated region and the at least one non-irradiated region such that, at least part of at least one remaining region at least partially defines a form of at least part of a microneedle structure. A microneedle structure including a plurality of microneedles at least partially formed from a radiation sensitive polymer.
Inventors
- 👤 Yehoshua Yeshurun
- 👤 Meir Hefetz
- 👤 Erwin Berenschot
- 👤 Meint de Boer
- 👤 Dominique Maria Altpeter
- 👤 Garrit Boom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M37/00; A61M37/0015; G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/0035; A61M2037/003; A61M2037/0053; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for producing microneedles, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a working surface; and (b) forming a polymer microneedle structure by performing a set of steps in order, a plurality of times, said set of steps including the steps of: (i) disposing a layer of a radiation sensitive polymer on to said working surface; then (ii) selectively irradiating said layer such that said layer has at least one irradiated region and at least one non-irradiated region; and then (iii) developing said layer so as to selectively remove one of said at least one irradiated region and said at least one non-irradiated region such that, at least part of at least one remaining region of said polymer forms a part of a microneedle structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for producing microneedles, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a working surface; and (b) forming a polymer microneedle structure by performing a set of steps in order, a plurality of times, said set of steps including the steps of: (i) disposing a layer of a radiation sensitive polymer on to said working surface; then (ii) selectively irradiating said layer such that said layer has at least one irradiated region and at least one non-irradiated region; and then (iii) developing said layer so as to selectively remove one of said at least one irradiated region and said at least one non-irradiated region such that, at least part of at least one remaining region of said polymer forms a part of a microneedle structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least part of said microneedle structure includes a plurality of at least partially formed microneedles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein each of at least two of said at least partially formed microneedles have a channel therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein each of at least two of said at least partially formed microneedles have an oblique end surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein at least two of said at least partially formed microneedles are different heights.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least part of said microneedle structure includes an at least partially formed microneedle having a channel therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least part of said microneedle structure includes an at least partially formed microneedle having an oblique end surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising, after said step of developing, the steps of: (a) disposing a filler at least partially around said at least one remaining region; (b) disposing a second layer of a radiation sensitive polymer on to: (i) at least part of said at least one remaining region; and (ii) at least part of said filler; (c) irradiating said second layer; and (d) developing said second layer such that, said second layer forms a base for at least part of said microneedle structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said base has at least one channel therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said step of irradiating said second layer is performed by selectively irradiating said second layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming at least one groove in said working surface, such that said at least part of said microneedle structure is formed within said at least one groove, said at least one groove defining at least one oblique end surface of said microneedle structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of irradiating is performed using a light source producing visible light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of irradiating is performed using ultraviolet light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of irradiating is performed using a x-ray radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising disposing a radiation source, which is used in said step of irradiating, and said working surface such that, the relative positioning of said radiation source and said working surface at least partially defining at least one oblique end surface of said microneedle structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A microneedle structure, comprising a plurality of microneedles, each of said microneedles being at least partially formed from a radiation sensitive polymer, wherein at least two of said microneedles are different heights.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A microneedle structure, comprising a plurality of microneedles, each of said microneedles being at least partially formed from a radiation sensitive polymer, wherein at least two of said microneedles are different heights.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure of claim 16 , wherein a majority of each of said microneedles is formed from said radiation sensitive material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure of claim 16 , further comprising a substructure configured to form a base for said microneedles, said substructure being at least partially formed from a radiation sensitive polymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure of claim 18 , wherein said substructure has at least one channel therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 16 , wherein each of at least two of said microneedles have a channel therein.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 16 , wherein each of at least two of said microneedles have an oblique end surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microneedle structure, comprising a microneedle, said microneedle being at least partially formed from a radiation sensitive polymer, said microneedle having a channel therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microneedle structure, comprising a microneedle, said microneedle being at least partially formed from a radiation sensitive polymer, said microneedle having a channel therein.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microneedle structure of claim 22 , wherein a majority of said microneedle is formed from said radiation sensitive material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A microneedle structure, comprising a microneedle, said microneedle being at least partially formed from a radiation sensitive polymer, said microneedle having an oblique end surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A microneedle structure, comprising a microneedle, said microneedle being at least partially formed from a radiation sensitive polymer, said microneedle having an oblique end surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microneedle structure of claim 24 , wherein a majority of said microneedles is formed from said radiation sensitive material.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for producing microneedles, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a working surface; and (b) forming a polymer microneedle structure by performing a set of steps in order, a plurality of times, said set of steps including the steps of: (i) disposing a layer of a material on to a working surface; and then (ii) processing said layer so as to selectively remove one of at least one irradiated region and at least one non-irradiated region of said layer, such that, at least part of at least one remaining region of said material at least partially forms a part of a microneedle structure, wherein said processing includes a sub-step of selectively acting upon said layer with radiation so as to effect at least one of a physical and a chemical change selectively in said material of said layer.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for producing microneedles, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a working surface; and (b) forming a polymer microneedle structure by performing a set of steps in order, a plurality of times, said set of steps including the steps of: (i) disposing a layer of a material on to a working surface; and then (ii) processing said layer so as to selectively remove one of at least one irradiated region and at least one non-irradiated region of said layer, such that, at least part of at least one remaining region of said material at least partially forms a part of a microneedle structure, wherein said processing includes a sub-step of selectively acting upon said layer with radiation so as to effect at least one of a physical and a chemical change selectively in said material of said layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-08-01 | 2009-01-31 | 2009-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-08-01 | 2013-01-31 | 2013-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-08-01 | 2017-01-31 | 2017-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |