US 11,701,507 B2
Microneedle patch applicator and housing for same
Katsunori Kobayashi, Higashikagawa (JP); and Hidetoshi Hamamoto, Higashikagawa (JP)
Assigned to MEDRX CO., LTD., Higashikagawa (JP)
Filed by MEDRX CO., LTD., Higashikagawa (JP)
Filed on Sep. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/479,070.
Application 17/479,070 is a continuation of application No. 16/062,671, granted, now 11,167,119, previously published as PCT/JP2016/087965, filed on Dec. 20, 2016.
Claims priority of application No. PCT/JP2015/085707 (WO), filed on Dec. 21, 2015; and application No. 2016-158930 (JP), filed on Aug. 12, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0001160 A1, Jan. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. A61M 37/00 (2006.01); A61K 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 37/0015 (2013.01) [A61M 37/00 (2013.01); A61K 9/0021 (2013.01); A61M 2037/0023 (2013.01); A61M 2037/0053 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for forcing an applicator supporting a microneedle patch to apply the microneedle patch onto a skin, comprising:
a substantially inverse arch-shaped or inverse U-shaped elastic member having a pair of end portions and a central portion positioned between the pair of end portions, the central portion having a first opening extending through a top surface and a bottom surface of the central portion;
a finger hold having an upper portion onto which a user applies a pressure and a pair of leg portion extending downward from the upper portion, the finger hold being assembled with the elastic member with the pair of leg portions extending through the first opening;
a coupling member disposed below the first opening and coupled to the finger hold through the pair of leg portions,
an ascending/descending member disposed under the coupling member and coupled to the coupling member such that the ascending/descending member can move upward and downward relative to the coupling member, and
a first spring disposed between the finger hold and the coupling member to bias the elastic member such that the end portions come closer to each other.