US 11,771,878 B2
Microneedle injection and infusion apparatus and method of using same
Scott A. Burton, Woodbury, MN (US); Chin-Yee Ng, Oakdale, MN (US); Michael J. Frits, Lake Elmo, MN (US); and Richard R. Mathias, Brookline, MA (US)
Assigned to Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P., Woodbury, MN (US)
Filed by KINDEVA DRUG DELIVERY L.P., St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Jun. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/909,723.
Application 16/909,723 is a continuation of application No. 15/838,542, filed on Dec. 12, 2017, granted, now 10,716,926.
Application 15/838,542 is a continuation of application No. 14/892,249, filed on Nov. 19, 2015, granted, now 9,872,975.
Prior Publication US 2020/0324097 A1, Oct. 15, 2020
Int. Cl. A61M 37/00 (2006.01); A61M 5/142 (2006.01); A61M 5/32 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 37/0015 (2013.01) [A61M 5/14248 (2013.01); A61M 5/322 (2013.01); A61M 5/3297 (2013.01); A61M 2037/0023 (2013.01); A61M 2037/0061 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of using a microneedle injection apparatus, the method comprising:
providing a microneedle injection apparatus comprising:
a housing having a base and a cavity that extends through the base to define an opening in the base, wherein the base of the housing is configured to be positioned toward a skin surface;
a microneedle array holder configured to hold a microneedle array and located in the housing, the microneedle array holder movable with respect to the opening in the base of the housing between a retracted position in which the microneedle array is recessed within the housing such that the microneedle array does not contact the skin surface when the apparatus is positioned on the skin surface and the microneedle array is coupled to the microneedle array holder, and an extended position in which at least a portion of the microneedle array is positioned to contact the skin surface via the opening when the apparatus is positioned on the skin surface and the microneedle array is coupled to the microneedle array holder;
a shuttle configured to hold and carry a cartridge, the cartridge defining a reservoir configured to contain an active agent, the shuttle being movable between a first position in which the reservoir is not in fluid communication with a fluid path and a second position in which the reservoir is in fluid communication with the fluid path; and
an actuator movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the actuator includes a base and an opening formed in the base, wherein at least a portion of the microneedle array extends through the opening in the actuator and beyond the base of the actuator when the microneedle array holder is in the extended position, and wherein the base of the actuator is configured to be coupled to the skin surface;
moving the actuator to the second position to allow the shuttle to move toward the second position, wherein movement of the shuttle toward the second position allows the microneedle array holder to move to the extended position.
 
19. A method of using a microneedle injection apparatus, the method comprising:
providing a microneedle injection apparatus comprising:
a housing having a base and a cavity that extends through the base to define an opening in the base, wherein the base of the housing is configured to be positioned toward a skin surface;
a microneedle array holder configured to hold a microneedle array and located in the housing, the microneedle array holder movable with respect to the opening in the base of the housing between a retracted position in which the microneedle array is recessed within the housing such that the microneedle array does not contact the skin surface when the apparatus is positioned on the skin surface and the microneedle array is coupled to the microneedle array holder, and an extended position in which at least a portion of the microneedle array is positioned to contact the skin surface via the opening when the apparatus is positioned on the skin surface and the microneedle array is coupled to the microneedle array holder;
a shuttle configured to hold and carry a cartridge, the cartridge defining a reservoir configured to contain an active agent, the shuttle being movable between a first position in which the reservoir is not in fluid communication with a fluid path and a second position in which the reservoir is in fluid communication with the fluid path; and
an actuator movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the actuator includes a shuttle stop movable between (i) a first position in which the shuttle stop is positioned to engage at least a portion of the shuttle to hold the shuttle in the first position, and (ii) a second position in which the shuttle stop is no longer positioned to engage the shuttle to hold the shuttle in the first position, such that when the shuttle stop is in the second position, the shuttle is free to move to the second position, and further comprising a stored energy device configured to drive the shuttle toward the second position;
moving the actuator to the second position to allow the shuttle to move toward the second position, wherein movement of the shuttle toward the second position allows the microneedle array holder to move to the extended position.