WO2008007906A1

WO2008007906A1 - Transdermal delivery apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008007906A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chang-Hyun Kim; Dong-Hun Hyun; Seung-Sup Lee; Man-Hee Han
Original assignee: Honam Petrochemical Corp.; Korea Advanced Institute Of Science And Technology
Priority date: 2006-07-14
Filing date: 2007-07-12
Publication date: 2008-01-17
Also published as: KR20080007084A; KR100886633B1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a transdermal delivery apparatus capable of controlling precisely amount of substance to be delivered into a body through a skin and having an excellent delivering efficiency. The transdermal delivery apparatus according to the present invention comprises a substrate; a wall formed on a periphery region of the substrate; and a micro projection portion disposed on a surface of the substrate and placed in a space formed by the substrate and the wall. The micro projection portion is a plurality of micro projections formed on the substrate, a height of the micro projection is smaller that that of the wall. Another micro projection portion comprises a sheet attached on the substrate and a plurality of micro projections formed on a surface of the sheet, and a height of the sheet and the micro projection is smaller than that of the wall.

Description

Description TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention is related to a transdermal delivery apparatus, more particularly, to a transdermal delivery apparatus which can deliver effectively drug or skin care substance into a body through a skin and can be easily manufactured.

[2]

Background Art

[3] As a method for delivering drug or skin care substance into a body through a skin, a method in which drug or skin care substance penetrates into a skin tissue and is then delivered into the body has been know. The above transdermal delivery method has the advantages that substance can be delivered locally and continuously into the body, a patient does not feel a pain and it is possible to utilize conveniently the delivery method. However, this method is disadvantageous in that an absorbing ratio of drug or skin care substance is very low. In particular, if drug or skin care substance has the hydrophile property or high molecular weight, its absorbing ratio becomes low less and less since stratum corneum of the skin prevents substance in the body from being discharging from the body and external substance from penetrating into the body.

[4]

[5] To solve the above problems, a technology for forming channels on a skin by micro projections and delivering drug or skin care substance into a body has been introduced. In this technology, the channels through which drug or skin care substance can be delivered are formed on the stratum corneum by means of the micro projections, for example, micro needles so that the drawbacks of the aforementioned delivering method are solved.

[6]

[7] For example, U. S. Patent No. 3,964,482 discloses a micro projection device in which a puncturing projection penetrating through a skin has an opening for delivering drug to deliver drug received in a reservoir into the skin, a micro projection device having a micro projection portion receiving substance to be delivered into a body, and a micro projection device for delivering drug through an opening formed on a substrate between micro projections. However it is difficult to manufacture the micro projection device having micro projections provided with openings formed thereon or micro projections made of material in which substance to be delivered is contained, and the micro projection device in which substance is delivered through an opening between the micro projections has the problem that delivering amounts of substance is not precise and a delivering efficiency of substance is low.

[8]

[9] As another example, U. S. Patent No. 6,230,051 discloses a micro projection device being not provided with a drug reservoir as well as channel. In this micro projection device, micro projections is coated with drug in advance, or apertures are formed on a skin by means of the micro projections and the drug is then applied on an area of skin on which apertures are formed. The above device has the advantage of easy manufacturing, but has the drawbacks that it is difficult to deliver a precise amount of drug and a shape of the micro projection should be modified into a shape on which drug to be delivered can be applied.

[10]

[11] As a further another example, U. S. Patent No. 6,607,513 discloses a micro projection device coupled with another equipment to deliver drug. This device has a portion which can be coupled with a cylinder of a syringe so that the device itself is provided with a drug reservoir. However, this micro projection device also has a drawback that a micro projection on which a channel is formed is required so that it is not easy to manufacture the device.

[12]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[13] The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a transdermal delivery apparatus which can control precisely amount of substance to be delivered into a body through a skin and has an excellent delivering efficiency.

[14]

Technical Solution

[15] In order to achieve the above objects, a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the present invention comprises a substrate; a wall formed on a periphery region of the substrate; and a micro projection portion disposed on a surface of the substrate and placed in a space formed by the substrate and the wall.

[16]

[17] The micro projection portion is a plurality of micro projections formed on the substrate, a height of the micro projection is smaller that that of the wall. Another micro projection portion comprises a sheet attached on the substrate and a plurality of micro projections formed on a surface of the sheet, and a height of the sheet and the micro projection is smaller than that of the wall.

[18] [19] The wall, the substrate and the micro projection portion can be formed integrally with each other, and it is desirable that the substrate is made of flexible material that can be bent by an external force and the wall is made from elastic material.

[20]

[21] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to the present invention further comprises a thin film attached on an end of the wall, and so a space sealed hermetically is formed by the wall, the substrate and the thin film.

[22]

[23] An adhesive layer can be formed additionally on an outer surface of the thin film or an end surface of the wall, this adhesive layer can be formed on an entire outer surface of the thin film or an entire end surface of the wall or can be formed partially on an outer surface of the thin film or an end surface of the wall. .

[24]

[25] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to the present invention further may comprise a securing band attached to a surface of the substrate and having a periphery portion extended toward an outside of the wall.

[26]

[27] Another transdermal delivery apparatus according to the present invention comprises a substrate; a wall formed at a periphery region of the substrate; a micro projection portion disposed on the substrate; an intermediate plate attached to an upper end of the wall; and a protective cover attached on the intermediate plate. A space is formed between the intermediate plate and the protective cover for receiving substance to be delivered.

[28]

[29] Here, the transdermal delivery apparatus may further comprises a protective plate attached on the intermediate plate. In this structure, it is preferable that the intermediate plate has micro openings formed thereon and corresponding to the micro projections.

[30]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[31] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[32] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing that the transdermal delivery apparatus shown in

FIG. 1 is installed;

[33] FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 are views showing that the transdermal delivery apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is in use;

[34] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing that a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is installed;

[35] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[36] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing that a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is in use;

[37] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing that a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is in use;

[38] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing that a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is in use;

[39] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

[40] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[41]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[42] Hereinafter, the transdermal delivery apparatus according to the present invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[43]

[44] On the other hand, parts which are not related to the essential scope of the present invention are not shown and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the description without departing from a spirit of the present invention and a repeat description on the structural members having the substantial same structure and function is omitted.

[45]

[46] In the drawings, in addition, some of the structural elements are schematically illustrated, and a dimension of each structural element is not limited. In the meantime, the term of "substance to be delivered in the below description comprises drug or skin care substance to be delivered into a body through a skin, and the term of "micro projection comprises a micro needle.

[47]

[48] First embodiment

[49] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing that the transdermal delivery apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is installed.

[50]

[51] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a transdermal delivery apparatus 10 according to this embodiment comprises a circular plate shaped substrate 11, a micro projection portion disposed on the substrate 11 and a wall 13 formed on a periphery region of a surface of the substrate 11 and having a certain length. Here, the micro projection portion is a plurality of micro projections 12 formed on a surface of the substrate 11.

[52]

[53] A space 14 in which substance to be delivered into the body is received is formed by the substrate 11 and the wall 13. Accordingly, a plurality of micro projections 12 are disposed in this space 14.

[54]

[55] It is preferable that the substrate 11 is made from flexible material so as to enable the micro projections 12 to be moved toward a skin 100 and penetrate into the skin when the substrate 11 is pressed by an external force in a state where an upper end of the wall 13 is contacted with the skin 100. Here, it is desirable that the substrate 11 is made from material (for example, an elastic material (rubber)) through which a needle of syringe can pass. Accordingly, the substance to be delivered can be introduced into the receiving space 14 by the syringe.

[56]

[57] On the contrary, the substrate 11 may be made from rigid material. That is, since the skin 100 has the elasticity, once the substrate 11 made from rigid material is pressed toward the skin 100, the skin 100 rises toward the substrate 11, so the micro projections 12 can penetrate into the skin.

[58]

[59] On the other hand, although FIG. 1 shows that the substrate 11 has a circular shape, a shape of the substrate 11 is not limited thereto. That is, the substrate 11 may have a polygonal shape including a tetragonal shape.

[60]

[61] The wall 13 with a certain height is formed along a peripheral of a front surface of the substrate 11. A dimension of the space 14 in which the substance to be delivered is received depends on the wall 13 as well as the substrate 11. Here, since a height of the wall 13 is higher than that of the micro projection 12 disposed on the substrate 11 and placed around the micro projections 12, it is possible to protect the micro projections 12 from an unintentional external physical contact.

[62]

[63] The micro projection 12 has a pointed front end portion, for example, a conical shape, and is moved toward the skin 100 to form micro channel on the skin 100 when the substrate 11 is pressed down.

[64]

[65] That is, in a state where an end of the wall 13 is contacted with the skin 100, an external force is applied to the substrate 11, the substrate 11 is pressed down or the skin is sunk by the wall 13 due to an elasticity of the skin. Accordingly, the micro projections 12 are moved toward the skin 100 to form micro- sized channels on the skin

100. [66] [67] A height of the micro projection 12 may be adjusted according to a degree of skin penetration thereof or a height of the wall 13. In addition, a size of the micro projection

12, an arrangement of the micro projections and a gap between the micro projections may be appropriately determined depending on a use and the limit of application of the transdermal delivery apparatus. [68] [69] For example, it is preferably that the micro projections 12 are disposed on an area spaced apart from the wall 13 by a certain distance. Compared with a central portion of the substrate 11, a bending degree of a portion of the wall 11 adjacent to the wall 13 is significantly less, so the micro projections 12 adjacent to the wall 13 can not penetrate sufficiently into the skin 100. [70] [71] Here, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the wall 13, the substrate 11 and the micro projections 12 constituting the transdermal delivery apparatus 10 can be formed integrally with each other. [72] [73] Below, a process for delivering the skin penetrating solution such as drug or skin care solution into the body by means of the transdermal delivery apparatus according to the first embodiment as described above is illustrated. [74] [75] FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 are views showing that the transdermal delivery apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is in use. [76] [77] First, as shown in FIG. 3, an end of the wall 13 of the transdermal delivery apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is closely contacted with the skin 100. In this state, the closed space 14 with a certain volume is formed by the skin 100, the wall

13 and the substrate 11. [78] [79] Substance 300 to be delivered into the body is injected into the space 14 between the transdermal delivery apparatus 10 and the skin 100 through a syringe 200. After a predetermined amount of substance 300 to be delivered is injected, the syringe 200 is detached from the transdermal delivery apparatus 10. [80] [81] Subsequently, once the substrate 11 is pressed down as shown in FIG. 4, the micro projections 12 are moved toward the skin 100 to form micro channels on the skin 100. Once an external force applied to the substrate 11 is then removed, the micro projections 12 are separated from the skin 100 due to a restitution force of the substrate 11.

[82]

[83] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the substance 300 to be delivered is absorbed into the body through the micro channels 101 formed on the skin 100. In this process, on the other hand, if the substrate 11 is pressed down by an appropriate force, the substance 300 to be delivered is pressurized so that a penetration ratio of the substance 300 can be increased.

[84]

[85] On the other hand, an aperture formed on the substrate 11 by a needle of the syringe

200 is plugged due to an elasticity of material constituting the substrate 11. However, to prevent the substance 300 to be delivered from being leaked, a tape may be attached on an area of the substrate 11 on which the aperture is formed.

[86]

[87] Second embodiment

[88] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a structure of a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[89]

[90] A substrate 21 and a wall 23 constituting a transdermal delivery apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are manufactured separately as the independent members and assembled to each other for delivering substance into the body. Here, a plurality of micro projections 22 acting as a micro projection portion may be formed integrally with the substrate 21. Further, a plurality of micro projections 22 may be manufactured through a separate process and then attached to a surface of the substrate 21.

[91]

[92] The substrate 21, the wall 23 and the micro projections 22 can be made from the same material or different material. On the other hand, it is preferable that the substrate 21 is formed from elastic material, for example, rubber. In a case where the substrate 21 is made from rubber, the micro projections 22 can be sufficiently moved toward the skin 100 without applying an excess external force to form channels on the skin.

[93]

[94] In addition, an aperture formed on the substrate 21 by a needle of a syringe used for introducing the substance 300 to be delivered is effectively plugged so that it is possible to prevent perfectly the substance 300 from being leaked to the exterior.

[95] [96] On the other hand, a usage of the transdermal delivery apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment and the detailed functions of the structural members are the same as those of the transdermal delivery apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment and its structural members, and so a description thereon is omitted.

[97]

[98] Third embodiment

[99] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a structure of a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[100]

[101] A transdermal delivery apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 7 comprises a substrate 31 made from elastic material, a micro projection portion 32 attached to one surface of the substrate 31 and a wall 33 attached on a periphery of the substrate 31. The substrate 31, the micro projection portion 32 and the wall 33 are separately manufactured and assembled into the structure shown in FIG. 7 for delivering substance into the body.

[102]

[103] Unlike the transdermal delivery apparatuses 10 and 20 according to the aforementioned embodiments, in the transdermal delivery apparatus 30 according to this embodiment, the micro projection portion 32 is attached to one surface of the substrate 31. In this embodiment, the micro projection portion 32 comprises a sheet 32-1 attached to a surface of the substrate 31 and a plurality of micro projections 32-2 formed on one surface of the sheet 32-1.

[104]

[105] A usage of the transdermal delivery apparatus 30 according to this embodiment and the detailed functions of the structural members are the same as those of the transdermal delivery apparatuses 10 and 20 according to the first and second embodiments and their structural members, and so a description thereon is omitted.

[106]

[107] Fourth embodiment

[108] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing that a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is in use. A transdermal delivery apparatus 40 according to this embodiment comprises a substrate 41, a wall 43 formed on a periphery of a surface of the substrate 41 and having a certain height and a plurality of micro projections 42 disposed on an inside of the substrate 41.

[109]

[110] A space 44 for receiving substance to be delivered into the body is formed by the substrate 41 and the wall 43, a plurality of micro projections 42 are formed on a surface of the substrate 41 placed at an inside of the wall 43.

[I l l] [112] The transdermal delivery apparatus 40 according to this embodiment further comprises a thin film 45 attached to an end of the wall 43 and sealing hermitically the space 44 for receiving substance to be delivered. In a state that the transdermal delivery apparatus 40 according to this embodiment is not contacted with the skin 100, the space 44 for receiving substance to be delivered into the body is formed by the substrate 41, the wall 43 and the thin film 45.

[113]

[114] That is, unlike the transdermal delivery apparatuses 10, 20 and 30 according to the previous embodiments, the transdermal delivery apparatus 40 according to this embodiment itself has the space 44 for receiving substance. Accordingly, the user can inject substance 300 to be delivered into the space 44 in advance before contacting the transdermal delivery apparatus 40 with the skin 100.

[115]

[116] Consequently, in a state that the thin film 45 is closely contacted with the skin 400, the user can use directly the transdermal delivery apparatus 40 in which substance 300 is already introduced without supplying substance therein through the syringe.

[117]

[118] Once the user presses down the substrate 41, the micro projections 42 form apertures on the thin film 45 or rip the thin film to form the channels on the skin 100. After the micro projections 42 are separated from the skin 100, substance 300 to be delivered is introduced into the channels formed on the skin 100 through damaged portions (the apertures or ripped portions) of the thin film 45.

[119] A usage of the transdermal delivery apparatus 40 according to this embodiment and the detailed functions of the structural members are the same as those of the transdermal delivery apparatuses 10, 20 and 30 according to the first, second and third embodiments and their structural members, and so a description thereon is omitted.

[120]

[121] Fifth embodiment

[122] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing that a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is in use.

[123]

[124] A transdermal delivery apparatus 50 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 9 comprises a substrate 51, a wall 53 formed on a periphery of a surface of the substrate 51 and having a certain height and a plurality of micro projections 52 disposed on an inside of the substrate 51.

[125]

[126] A space 54 for receiving substance to be delivered into the body is formed by the substrate 51 and the wall 53, a plurality of micro projections 52 are formed on a surface of the substrate 51 placed at an inside of the wall 53.

[127]

[128] The transdermal delivery apparatus 50 according to this embodiment further comprises a thin film 55 attached to an end of the wall 53 and an adhesive layer 56 formed on an outer surface of the thin film 55. When the transdermal delivery apparatus 50 is closely contacted with the skin 100, the adhesive layer 56 is attached to the skin 100, so the transdermal delivery apparatus 50 is secured to the skin 100.

[129]

[130] In this structure, once the user presses down the substrate 51, the micro projections

52 form apertures on the thin film 55 and the adhesive layer 56 or rip the thin film and the adhesive layer to form the channels on the skin 100. After the micro projections 52 are separated from the skin 100, substance 300 to be delivered is introduced into the channels formed on the skin 100 through damaged portions (the apertures or ripped portions) of the thin film 55 and the adhesive layer 56.

[131] Due to such adhesive layer 56, when the micro projections 52 forms the channels on the skin 100 and substance 300 is delivered into the body, the transdermal delivery apparatus 50 is fixedly maintained on the skin 100 so that the channels can be formed precisely on a predetermined area of the skin 100 and substance 300 can be delivered to a predetermined area of the body.

[132]

[133] Here, the adhesive layer 56 may not be formed on an entire surface of the thin film

55, but can be formed partially on the thin film 55. Also, the adhesive layer 56 can be formed directly on an end surface of the wall 53 without attaching the thin film 55 on the wall.

[134]

[135] In addition, the adhesive layer 56 can be formed along the wall 53 and a periphery portion of the thin film 54. In such structure, it is possible to prevent the substance 300 being delivered from being leaked.

[136]

[137] A usage of the transdermal delivery apparatus 50 according to this embodiment and the detailed functions of the structural members are the same as those of the transdermal delivery apparatuses 10, 20, 30 and 40 according to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments and their structural members, and so a description thereon is omitted.

[138]

[139] Sixth embodiment

[140] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing that a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is in use. [141]

[142] An entire structure of the transdermal delivery apparatus 60 shown in FIG. 10 is similar to that of the transdermal delivery apparatus 50 according to the fifth embodiment. That is, the transdermal delivery apparatus 60 according to this embodiment comprises a substrate 61, a wall 63 formed on a periphery of a surface of the substrate 61 and having a certain height, a plurality of micro projections 62 disposed on an inside of the substrate 61, a thin film 65 attached to an end of the wall 63 and an adhesive layer 66 formed on an outer surface of the thin film 65.

[143]

[144] The transdermal delivery apparatus 60 according to this embodiment further comprises a securing band 67 for increasing a contact degree between the skin 100 and the adhesive layer 66.

[145]

[146] The securing band 67 is attached to an upper surface of the substrate 61 and has portions extended toward an outside of the substrate 61. The extended portions 67-1 of the securing band 67 are attached to the skin 100.

[147]

[148] The transdermal delivery apparatus 60 having the structure as described above is attached to the skin 100 through the adhesive layer 66 and a contact degree between the skin 100 and the adhesive layer 66 is significantly increased by the securing band 67. Consequently, the channels are precisely formed on the skin 100 by the micro projections 62 and the substance 300 received in the space 64 can be effectively delivered into the body through the channels.

[149]

[150] Here, the securing band 67 can be attached to the substrate 61 in advance or attached to the substrate 61 and the skin 100 after contacting closely the transdermal delivery apparatus 60 with the skin 100. In addition, the securing band 67 may be attached to an entire upper surface of the substrate 61 or only a portion of the substrate.

[151]

[152] A usage of the transdermal delivery apparatus 60 according to this embodiment and the detailed functions of the structural members are the same as those of the transdermal delivery apparatuses 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 according to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments and their structural members, and so a description thereon is omitted.

[153]

[154] Seventh embodiment

[155] FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is installed. [156]

[157] An entire structure of the transdermal delivery apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 11 is similar to that of the transdermal delivery apparatus 60 according to the sixth embodiment. That is, the transdermal delivery apparatus 70 according to this embodiment comprises a substrate 71, a wall 73 formed on a periphery of a surface of the substrate 71 and having a certain height, a plurality of micro projections 72 disposed on an inside of the substrate 71, a thin film 75 attached to an end of the wall 73, an adhesive layer 76 formed on an outer surface of the thin film 75 and a securing band 77 for increasing a contact degree between the adhesive layer 76 and the skin 100.

[158]

[159] The transdermal delivery apparatus 70 according to this embodiment further comprises an auxiliary wall 78 placed at an outside of the wall 73. The auxiliary wall 76 is disposed around the wall 73 to surround the wall 73 and has a first surface (an upper surface) attached to the securing band 77.

[160]

[161] Here, it is preferred that the auxiliary wall 76 is made of material having the elasticity such as rubber or sponge. Further, an adhesive layer 78-1 may be formed partially or entirely on a second surface (lower surface) of the auxiliary wall 78, that is, a surface which is contacted with the skin 100.

[162]

[163] The auxiliary wall 78 as described above seals hermetically and doubly the space 74 formed by the wall 73, the substrate 71 and the thin film 75. In addition, the auxiliary wall 78 distributes an external force exerted to the wall 73 and prevents the substance to be delivered from being leaked toward an outside.

[164]

[165] A usage of the transdermal delivery apparatus 70 according to this embodiment and the detailed functions of the structural members are the same as those of the transdermal delivery apparatuses 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments and their structural members, and so a description thereon is omitted.

[166]

[167] Eighth embodiment

[168] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a transdermal delivery apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[169]

[170] A transdermal delivery apparatus 80 shown in FIG. 12 comprises a substrate 81, a wall 83 formed on a periphery of a surface of the substrate 8, a plurality of micro projection 82 disposed on an inside of the substrate 81 and an intermediate plate 85 attached to an upper end of the wall 83.

[171]

[172] In the transdermal delivery apparatus 80 having the above structure, a certain space

84 is formed by the substrate 81, the wall 83 and the intermediate plate 85.

[173]

[174] On the other hand, the micro projection portion 82 comprises a sheet 82-2 attached to the substrate 81 and a plurality of micro projections 82-1 formed on the sheet 82-2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, a plurality of micro projections may be formed directly on a surface of the substrate 81.

[175]

[176] The transdermal delivery apparatus 80 according to this embodiment further comprises a protective cover 87 attached on the intermediate plate 85, a certain space 88 is formed by the intermediate plate 85 and the protective cover 87. Substance 300 to be delivered into the body is received in this space 88.

[177]

[178] On the other hand, a protective plate 86 can be further attached to the intermediate plate 85. In this case, it is preferable to form micro openings 85-1 on the intermediate plate 85 through which the micro projections 82-1 can pass.

[179]

[180] In the transdermal delivery apparatus 80 having the above structure, the user presses down the substrate 81 in a state where the protective cover 87 is closely contacted with the skin, and so the micro projections 82-1 penetrates through the intermediate plate 85, the protective plate 86 and the protective cover 87 to form channels on the skin. Then, once an external force exerted to the substrate 82 is removed, the micro projections 82-1 are separated from the skin and the substance 300 is delivered into the body through the micro opening formed on the protective 87 and the channels formed on the skin.

[181]

[182] In a case where the substance 300 to be delivered has a high viscosity, however, it is desirable to remove the protective cover 87 just prior to utilizing the transdermal delivery apparatus.

[183]

[184] Here, the protective plate 86 and the protective cover 87 have the thickness such that the micro projections 82-1 can pass through the protective plate and the protective cover. The protective cover 87 protects the substance 300 to be delivered from external containments, in particular, prevents the substance 300 to be delivered from being flowed on the protective plate 86 if the substance has a low viscosity. [185]

[186] A usage of the transdermal delivery apparatus 80 according to this embodiment and the detailed functions of the structural members are the same as those of the transdermal delivery apparatuses according to the previous,

[187]

[188] Although the preferred embodiments described above have been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/ or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[189]

Industrial Applicability

[190] In the transdermal delivery apparatus as described above, after the substance to be delivered is supplied into the space formed by the wall and the substrate, the channels are formed on the skin by pressing down the substrate on which the micro projections are disposed, and the substance is then delivered into the body through these channels.

[191] Accordingly, the substance can be delivered into the body through a simple process, and it is possible to prevent an excess amount of the substance from being delivered into the body by injecting an appropriate amount of the substance to be delivered into the space.

[192] In addition, the transdermal delivery apparatus according to the present invention has a simple structure. Also, there is an effect that the member being capable of preventing the device from being moved on the skin is utilized so that it is possible to deliver precisely the substance to a predetermined area of the body.

[193]

Claims

[1] A transdermal delivery apparatus, comprising a substrate; a wall formed on a periphery region of the substrate; and a micro projection portion disposed on a surface of the substrate and placed in a space formed by the substrate and the wall.

[2] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the micro projection portion is a plurality of micro projections formed on the substrate, a height of the micro projection is smaller that that of the wall.

[3] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the micro projection portion comprises a sheet attached on the substrate and a plurality of micro projections formed on a surface of the sheet, and a height of the sheet and the micro projection is smaller than that of the wall.

[4] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wall, the substrate and the micro projection portion are formed integrally with each other.

[5] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is made of flexible material that can be bent by an external force and the wall is made from elastic material.

[6] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a thin film attached on an end of the wall to form a space sealed hermetically by the wall, the substrate and the thin film.

[7] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an adhesive layer formed on an outer surface of the thin film.

[8] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a securing band attached to a surface of the substrate and having a periphery portion extended toward an outside of the wall.

[9] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an auxiliary wall placed an outside of the wall and attached to the securing band by a first surface thereof.

[10] A transdermal delivery apparatus, comprising a substrate; a wall formed at a periphery region of the substrate; a micro projection portion disposed on the substrate; an intermediate plate attached to an upper end of the wall; and a protective cover attached on the intermediate plate, wherein a space is formed between the intermediate plate and the protective cover for receiving substance to be delivered.

[11] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the micro projection portion comprises a sheet attached on the substrate and a plurality of micro projections formed on a surface of the sheet.

[12] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a protective plate attached on the intermediate plate, the intermediate plate having micro opening formed thereon and corresponding to the micro projections.

[13] The transdermal delivery apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the substrate is made of flexible material that can be bent by an external force and the wall is made of elastic material.