nanoBioSciences, LLC is developing an innovative line of novel transdermal drug delivery systems.

CITING REFERENCES

The work of Vadim Yuzhakov is referenced in the following 578 publications:

US7491341B2

Method of making tapered capillary tips with constant inner diameters

Battelle Memorial Institute

2/17/2009

Methods of forming electrospray ionization emitter tips are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an end portion of a capillary tube can be immersed into an etchant, wherein the etchant forms a concave meniscus on the outer surface of the capillary. Variable etching rates in the meniscus can cause an external taper to form. While etching the outer surface of the capillary wall, a fluid can be flowed through the interior of the capillary tube. Etching continues until the immersed portion of the capillary tube is completely etched away.

US7491178B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

2/17/2009

A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site has a housing and a penetrating member driver at least partially within the housing. At least one disposable is within the housing. The disposable includes an analyte sensor in a sample chamber that is configured to receive body fluid from a wound in tissue created by a penetrating member. A penetrating member is associated with the sample chamber. Each penetrating member and its associated sample chamber have a combined occupied volume of no more than about 5.0 cm3.

US7489959B1

Physiological recording device

Orbital Research Inc.

2/10/2009

The present invention relates to a dry physiological recording electrode that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The dry physiological recording electrode comprising a substrate having an upper and a lower surface, and at least one penetrator(s) protruding from the upper surface of the substrate. The penetrator(s) is capable of piercing through the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin, and transmitting an electric potential from the lower layers of the epidermis through the penetrator(s) which can be measured, or detecting agents from the lower layers of the epidmermis primarily the stratum germinativum layer. At least one epidermis stop may be provided resulting in the formation of detritus troughs interposed between adjacent penetrator(s) and epidermis stops. The present invention also includes a method of sensing biopotentials in the skin.

US7488298B2

Integrated lancing test strip with capillary transfer sheet

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

2/10/2009

An integrated bodily fluid sampling device includes a lancet, a test strip attached to the lancet, and a flexible sheet extending from the test strip. The lancet and the flexible sheet form a gap sized to draw bodily fluid onto the test strip via capillary action. Further, a sampling end portion of the flexible sheet is shaped to enhance capillary action of the sheet. In one form, a removable film covers the lancet and forms a seal with the flexible sheet such that the seal surrounds a lancet tip. In another form, an insulating layer covers a portion of the lancet to prevent electrical interference between the lancet and an electrical testing system on the test strip and ensure an accurate analysis of the bodily fluid.

US7485128B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

2/3/2009

A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of cartridges, each with a distal port and a proximal port. A plurality of penetrating members are provided, each being coupled to a cartridge. Each penetrating member has a sharpened distal tip and a shaft portion slidably disposed within the cartridge. A seal is formed by a fracturable material between the penetrating member and the cartridge. The seal is positioned at one or both of a distal port or a proximal port of the cartridge. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.

US7481776B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

1/27/2009

A skin penetrating system is provided with a drive force generator and a disposable housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the disposable housing member. Each penetrating member is coupled to the drive force generator. A plurality of analyte detecting members are each associated with a penetrating member and are positioned in the disposable housing member. Each analyte detecting member is positioned in a sample chamber. The sample chambers have openings for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber. Each analyte detecting member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.

US7479118B2

Lancet protective cap

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

1/20/2009

A unique technique for maintaining the sterility and integrity of a lancet tip. One or more lancet tips are sandwiched between a first web and a second web of material to protect the sterility of the lancet tips. The first and second webs are heat fused together to form a structure that covers and encapsulates the lancet tips to protect the integrity of the lancet tips. The structure is cut to form individual protective caps to detachably cover each of the lancet tips.

US7473264B2

Integrated lance and strip for analyte measurement

Lifescan, Inc.

1/6/2009

The present invention relates, in general, to lancing elements for use in drawing bodily fluids out of a patient and, more particularly, to an improved lancing element including first and second elements positioned relative to each other such that an incision formed by the first element is held open by the second element and bodily fluids are pulled up the lancing element by surface tension on the first and second lancing elements.

US7471979B2

Method and apparatus for skin absorption enhancement and transdermal drug delivery

Mattioli Engineering Ltd.

12/30/2008

A system for enhancing absorption of a substance provided on a region of a patient's skin, includes a probe configured to provide the substance to the region of the patient's skin. The probe includes an array of electrodes provided on a head of the probe. The probe also includes a substance holding unit that temporarily holds the substance to be provided on the region of the patient's skin. The probe further includes a pulse generator that generates a sequence of bursts of electrical pulses to the array of electrodes that are disposed against the region of the patient's skin, so as to provide the bursts of electrical pulses to the region of the patient's skin. The probe also includes a substance applying unit that transfers the substance from the substance holding unit to the head of the probe. The pulse generator provides for pulses to be output in alternate polarities in each of the sequence of bursts.

WO2008150829A1

COMPACT MINIMALLY INVASIVE BIOMEDICAL MONITOR

INFOTONICS TECHNOLOGY CENTER, INC. | MIR, Jose | LEE, James, Kelly

12/11/2008

A biomedical monitor is disclosed. The biomedical monitor has an array of moveable microneedles coated with a first chemical sensing media. The biomedical monitor also has an actuator configured to move at least one microneedle in the array of microneedles from a retracted position to an engaged position whereby the at least one microneedle enters a subject's skin. The biomedical monitor further has an optical system configured to illuminate the at least one microneedle during or after entering the subject's skin and monitor the first chemical sensing media from the at least one microneedle, whereby at least one biomedical characteristic is determined based on at least one spectral property of the monitored first chemical sensing media. A method of monitoring at least one biomedical characteristic is also disclosed.

US7458982B2

Photokinetic delivery of biologically active substances using pulsed incoherent light

Photokinetix, Inc.

12/2/2008

The invention relates generally to transdermal and transmembrane delivery of biologically active substances through the skin, sub-dermal tissues, blood vessels and cellular membranes without causing damage to the cellular surface, tissue or membrane. The invention provides compositions and methods for enhanced transdermal and transmembrane delivery of biologically active substances using pulsed incoherent light. The invention further provides a device for the application of the pulsed incoherent light to cellular surfaces and membranes using those compositions and methods.

WO2008141006A1

SAMPLE PREPARATION DEVICE AND METHOD UTILIZING POLYMIDE TUBE

VARIAN, INC. | GRENZ, Robert, Lee | HUDSON, William, Christopher

11/20/2008

Polyamide sample preparation tubes with a hollow polyamide tube and an extraction medium contained within the tube are utilized in the sample preparation devices. The sample preparation tubes are substantially inert and show little tendency to dissolve or leach contaminants into nonaqueous liquids. The polyamide tubes may be used in preparing samples for analytical procedures such as GC, GC/MS, LC or LC/MS.

US7452457B2

System and method for analyte measurement using dose sufficiency electrodes

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

11/18/2008

A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

US7442029B2

Imprint lithography

ASML Netherlands B.V.

10/28/2008

An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed which has a needle, and a substrate table arranged to hold a substrate to be imprinted, wherein the needle is moveable between a first position and a second position, the first position being such that in use the needle penetrates a layer of imprintable material on the substrate, and the second position being such that in use the needle is disengaged from the imprintable material on the substrate, the substrate table and the needle arranged such that one may be scanned relative to the other.

GB2448493A

Microneedle transdermal device

Chowdhury, Dewan Fazlul Hoque

10/22/2008

The device comprises microneedles arranged on a belt mounted rotatably about a plurality of rollers. The microneedles may be in fluid communication with an associated drug reservoir mounted on the belt which is compressed when the needles and belt are brought into contact with the skin. The microneedles may be arranged on a patch which is mounted on the belt. The rollers may be slidably mounted on a glide track which is mounted on a support frame.

EP1982653A1

Pricking device and analysis device

Roche Diagnostics GmbH | F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

10/22/2008

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Stechgerдt (2) zum Erzeugen einer Einstichwunde in der Haut eines Menschen oder Tieres zum Gewinnen einer Probe einer Kцrperflьssigkeit fьr Analyse- oder Diagnosezwecke, insbesondere mit integrierten Disposables, die sowohl ein Stechelement (6) als auch eine zugehцriges Testelement umfassen. Um eine hohe Erfolgsrate bei dem Gewinnen einer Probe zu erzielen, wird vorgeschlagen, dass der Antrieb (5) derart ausgebildet ist, dass das Stechelement (6) oder das Testelement in eine Kontaktposition verfahrbar ist, in der es wдhrend einer Ausfahrdauer im Bereich der Kцrperteilanlageцffnung (13) in einer Position verbleibt, in der es von einem Benutzer des Stechgerдtes (2) durch eine manuelle Positionierung des Stechgerдtes (2) zum manuellen Aufnehmen einer Probe mit der Probenentnahmestelle in Kontakt bringbar ist wenn die bei einer Stechbewegung gewonnene Probemenge nicht zum Durchfьhren der Analyse oder Diagnose ausreicht.

US7439069B2

Blood coagulation test cartridge, system, and method

10/21/2008

A system and method for determining a coagulation time, e.g., thrombin time, PT, aPTT, and ACT, of a blood sample deposited in a test cartridge is disclosed. The test cartridge includes a blood receptacle that is open to the atmosphere into which a blood sample is to be deposited, a vacuum port that is open to atmosphere, and a spiral capillary within the test cartridge having a capillary length and cross-section area, a first capillary end of the spiral capillary open to the blood receptacle and a second capillary end of the spiral capillary open to the vacuum port, whereby the spiral capillary is closed to atmosphere. When a blood sample is deposited in the blood receptacle, a vacuum is drawn through the vacuum port and the blood is drawn through the spiral capillary until coagulation occurs. A pressure change is detected, and the coagulation time is measured.

EP1980206A1

Minimal procedure analyte test system

LifeScan, Inc.

10/15/2008

A system employing an integrated analyte test strip including a biosensor and lancet is disclosed. The integration of lancet and the sensor elements eliminates the need to align the sensor to the biologic fluid sample after a lancet and lancing device are used in combination to pierce the skin. The system preferably includes a device comprising two body portions that slide relative to each other to both cock and fire a test strip at a target site. Meter reading and test strip disposal may be accomplished by removing the device from the target site. The device preferably employs a magazine loaded with test strips, with one strip being taken from the magazine each time the device is actuated. It preferably also includes a magazine in a cap to store spent test strips for disposal. The device may be turned on an off simply by removal and return of the cap.

US7437189B2

Iontophoresis device

TTI ellebeau, Inc.

10/14/2008

An iontophoresis device includes: a first electrode; a biological interface contact member including a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, and a plurality of needles that protrude from the front surface of the substrate and can be inserted into a biological interface, the biological interface contact member allowing selective permeation of ions of a first polarity; and a drug holding part applied with an electrical potential or voltage through the first electrode and holding a drug solution containing drug ions charged in the first polarity, the drug holding part being interposed between the first electrode and the biological interface contact member.

US7429258B2

Microneedle transport device

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

9/30/2008

A transdermal transport device includes a reservoir for holding a formulation of an active principle, and an array of needles which have bores in fluid communication with the reservoir to facilitate transporting the formulation to and from the reservoir through the needles. The device also includes a first actuator which drives the array of needles into the body, and a second actuator which pumps the formulation between the reservoir and the body through the needles. The first actuator is reversible to withdraw the needles from the body.

US7426408B2

Minimally-invasive system and method for monitoring analyte levels

Becton, Dickinson and Company

9/16/2008

A minimally-invasive analyte detecting device and method for using the same. The system and method employ a device having an active electrode optionally coated with a substance, and a counter-electrode that is configured at least partially surround the active electrode. The configuration of the auxiliary electrode and active electrode improves the current flow through the device and increases the sensitivity of the device. When the device is placed against the patient's skin, the active electrode is adapted to enter through the stratum corneum of a patient to a depth less than a depth in the dermis at which nerve endings reside. An electric potential is applied to the active electrode and the analyte level is determined based on the amount of current or charge flowing through the device.

US7425204B2

Needleless injector

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

9/16/2008

An injector includes a housing having a chamber for holding a liquid formulation of an active principle to be injected into a biological body and an output port in fluid communication with the chamber through which the liquid formulation is injected. A piston is positioned within the housing, and includes an end portion with substantially the same shape as the chamber. A magnetic force draws the piston and housing together to expel the liquid formulation out of the chamber through the output port.

US7422905B2

Blood coagulation test cartridge, system, and method

Medtronic, Inc.

9/9/2008

A system and method for determining a coagulation time, e.g., TT, PT, aPTT, and ACT, of a test sample deposited in a test cartridge is disclosed. A cartridge housing having upper and lower major sides and a minor sidewall encloses a test chamber having a test chamber pivot element and is provided with a cartridge port for introducing a test sample into the test chamber. Ferromagnetic agitator vane leaflets extend from an agitator pivot element supported by the test chamber pivot element intermediate the upper and lower major sides for rotational motion. The agitator vane leaflets can be swept, in response to an external magnetic field, through the test sample in the absence of coagulation. A timer is started when the agitator movement is commenced whereupon the agitator moves freely. Resistance to agitator movement due to coagulation is detected, and the coagulation time is measured.

US7422574B2

Microseeding device for gene delivery by microneedle injection

Applied Tissue Technologies, LLC

9/9/2008

An apparatus is provided to enable the direct gene transfer of genetic material into a target cell site (“microseeding”), as a means of obtaining long term expression of native or non-native polypeptides in a host. The apparatus includes a matrix of microneedles that oscillate at a predetermined frequency and receive the genetic material from a delivery system that is integrated with the apparatus.

US7422567B2

Microabrader with controlled abrasion features

Becton, Dickinson and Company

9/9/2008

An abrader device for delivering a substance into skin via an abrasion process includes a housing adapted to be pressed against the skin at a desired delivery site, an applicator head disposed in an upper opening of the housing and movable across a lower opening of the housing to abrade the delivery site in at least one furrow, and an abrader surface attached to the applicator head whereby the housing remains firm and stationary at the delivery site and structure of the housing and the applicator head controls parameters of the abrasion process. In particular, the amount of force or pressure applied to the abrader surface, the speed at which the abrader surface moves across the skin and the number of lateral passes of the abrader surface across the skin are controlled so that the abrader device provides a furrow with a length of substantially the same depth thereby providing reproducible results, even though different technicians are applying the abrader device against a patient's skin.

US20080206880A9

BLOOD COAGULATION TEST CARTRIDGE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD

8/28/2008

A system and method for determining a coagulation time, e.g., TT, PT, aPTT, and ACT, of a test sample deposited in a test cartridge is disclosed. A cartridge housing having upper and lower major sides and a minor sidewall encloses a test chamber having a test chamber pivot element and is provided with a cartridge port for introducing a test sample into the test chamber,. Ferromagnetic agitator vane leaflets extend from an agitator pivot element supported by the test chamber pivot element intermediate the upper and lower major sides for rotational motion. The agitator vane leaflets can be swept, in response to an external magnetic field, through the test sample in the absence of coagulation. A timer is started when the agitator movement is commenced whereupon the agitator moves freely. Resistance to agitator movement due to coagulation is detected, and the coagulation time is measured.

WO2008099837A1

BIOSENSOR CARTRIDGE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME

8/21/2008

Provided are a biosensor cartridge capable of being easily replaced without removing a protective cap at the f0rward end of a measurement device, and a method of producing the biosensor cartridge. A holding projection (20), which is provided on a base (21), can be easily post-attached by engaging an engagement section (23) of a base (21) with an engagement cutout (12) of a chip body (11). At the same time, a piercing device can also be easily post-attached. Accordingly, even a produced biosensor cartridge (10) can be provided with the holding projection (20) by forming the engagement cutout (12), so that the user can easily attach and remove the biosensor cartridge from the measurement device (31) by holding the holding projection (20) by fingers without removing the protective cap (33) of the measurement device (31).

WO2008079812A3

DERMAL AND TRANSDERMAL CRYOGENIC MICROPROBE SYSTEMS AND METHODS

MYOSCIENCE, INC. | BURGER, Keith | WILLIAMS, Ronald | ELKINS, Lisa

8/21/2008

Medical devices, systems, and methods optionally treat dermatological and/or cosmetic defects, and/or a wide range of additional target tissues. Embodiments apply cooling with at least one small, tissue-penetrating probe, the probe often comprising a needle having a size suitable for inserting through an exposed surface of the skin of a patient without leaving a visible scar. Treatment may be applied along most or all of the insertable length of an elongate needle, optionally by introducing cryogenic cooling fluid into the needle lumen through a small, tightly-tolerated lumen of a fused silica fluid supply tube, with the supply tube lumen often metering the cooling fluid. Treatment temperature and/or time control may be enhanced using a simple pressure relief valve coupled to the needle lumen via a limited total exhaust volume space.

US7410468B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

8/12/2008

A skin penetrating system includes a housing member and a penetrating member positioned in the housing member. An analyte detecting member is coupled to a sample chamber. The analyte detecting member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber. A tip of the penetrating member is configured to extend through an opening of the sample chamber.

WO2008042404A3

ELECTROKINETIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING METHOTREXATE

TRANSPORT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | ETHEREDGE, Robert, W, III | GOLDBERG, Dennis, I. | FRIDEN, Phillip, M. | PETERSEN, John, S.

8/7/2008

The electrokinetic methotrexate delivery system includes at least one applicator having a multiplicity of non-conductive micro-needles carried on a non-conductive surface of the applicator. The opposite surface is formed of electrically conductive material for contact with an active electrode. The applicator includes a matrix containing a medicament, e.g., methotrexate, or a carrier therefor between the opposite surfaces. When the applicator is applied to the individual's skin with the micro-needles penetrating the skin, an electrical current is completed through the power source, the active electrode, methotrexate, or electrically conductive carrier therefor, the targeted treatment site, the individual's body, a ground electrode and the power supply, thereby electokinetically driving the medicament through the non-conductive micro-needles into the targeted treatment site.

US7399637B2

Blood coagulation test cartridge, system, and method

Medtronic, Inc.

7/15/2008

A system and method for determining a coagulation time, e.g., TT, PT, aPTT, and ACT, of a blood test sample deposited in a test cartridge is disclosed. A cartridge housing having upper and lower major sides and a minor sidewall encloses a test chamber having a test chamber pivot element and is provided with a cartridge port for introducing a test sample into the test chamber,. Ferromagnetic agitator vane leaflets extend from an agitator pivot element supported by the test chamber pivot element intermediate the upper and lower major sides for rotational motion. The agitator vane leaflets can be swept, in response to an external magnetic field, through the test sample in the absence of coagulation. A timer is started when the agitator movement is commenced whereupon the agitator moves freely. Resistance to agitator movement due to coagulation is detected, and the coagulation time is measured.

US7396484B2

Methods of fabricating complex blade geometries from silicon wafers and strengthening blade geometries

Becton, Dickinson and Company

7/8/2008

Ophthalmic surgical blades are manufactured from either a single crystal or poly-crystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer. The method comprises preparing the single crystal or poly-crystalline wafers by mounting them and etching trenches into the wafers using one of several processes. Methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. Other processes include wet etching (isotropic and anisotropic) and dry etching (isotropic and anisotropic, including reactive ion etching), and combinations of these etching steps. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or poly-crystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single, double or multiple bevel blades. Nearly any angle can be machined into the wafer, and the machined angle remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade e

US7396334B2

Analytical device with lancet and test element

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

7/8/2008

The invention concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body, the lancet needle being movable relative to the lancet body and the lancet body being composed, at least in the area of the tip of the lancet needle, of an elastic material in which the tip of the lancet needle is embedded, and an analytical test element which is permanently connected to the lancet body. In addition the invention concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body which is in the form of a hollow body in the area of the tip of the lancet needle and surrounds the tip of the lancet needle, the lancet needle being movable relative to the lancet body and the hollow body being composed at least partially of an elastic material, and an analytical test element which is permanently connected to the lancet body. Finally the invention concerns a process for manufacturing such an analytical device.

WO2008079812A2

DERMAL AND TRANSDERMAL CRYOGENIC MICROPROBE SYSTEMS AND METHODS

MYOSCIENCE, INC. | BURGER, Keith | WILLIAMS, Ronald | ELKINS, Lisa

7/3/2008

WO2008043565A3

TAPE TRANSPORT LANCE SAMPLER

ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH | F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG

7/3/2008

A lancet-sampler system is configured to automatically remove a protective cover (56) from a lancet (30) and automatically unpack a test pad (64) just prior to use. This minimizes the risk of injury and reduces the chance of cross-contamination between the lancet and the test pad. The lancet defines a capillary groove (36) for drawing body fluid from the incision via capillary action and a sample transfer opening (38) for collecting the fluid from the groove. A carrier tape (62) is coupled to the lancet. The carrier tape includes a test pad for analyzing the fluid. The tape is folded around the test pad to form an airtight package (66). The test pad is located at a position to align with the sample transfer opening when the tape is unfolded. The protective cover covers a portion of the lancet, and when the tape is pulled, the protective cover is automatically pulled from the lancet.

US7390318B2

Needleless microprotrusion elastoplast system

Allergan, Inc.

6/24/2008

A needleless microprotrusion system for infusion of a medicament into a patient includes a plurality of microprotrusions having a length sufficient to penetrate a stratum corneum of the patient. A chemodenervating agent is disposed for delivery by the microprotrusions and a substrate is provided for supporting the microprotrusions and conforming the microprotrusions to a patient's palm in order to enable uniform penetration of the microprotrusions into the corneum.

WO2008073806A1

ACTIVE TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V. | BUTTERFIELD, Robert, Gordon | CHARLES, Michael

6/19/2008

A transdermal drug delivery system (100) that provides a self-regulatmg closed loop system for the delivery of drugs or other therapeutic agents through a user's skin. The transdermal system includes a substrate (105), a sensing system (115) for detecting the saturation level of the therapeutic agent in an individual's blood stream, and a drug delivery system for increasing the amount of therapeutic agent delivered to the individual using the transdermal system. Using a transdermal system that has a self-contained sensing system and drug delivery system, the transdermal systems of the present invention do not require external monitors and/or power supplies, such that the resulting transdermal systems are closed-loop and self -regulating.

EP1932564A1

Cosmetic use of anisic acid to enhance exfoliation

L'Orйal

6/18/2008

La prйsente invention porte sur l'utilisation cosmйtique d'une composition contenant, dans un milieu physiologiquement acceptable, de l'acide anisique, l'un de ses sels ou l'un de ses esters d'alkyle en C1-C4, pour favoriser la desquamation de la peau et/ou stimuler le renouvellement йpidermique.L'invention porte йgalement sur l'utilisation cosmйtique de l'acide anisique, l'un de ses sels ou l'un de ses esters d'alkyle en C1-C4 dans une composition contenant un milieu physiologiquement acceptable, comme agent destinй а favoriser la desquamation de la peau et/ou stimuler le renouvellement йpidermique.L'acide anisique, l'un de ses sels ou l'un de ses esters d'alkyle en C1-C4 ou la composition le contenant est notamment destinй а amйliorer l'йclat du teint et/ou le grain de la peau et/ou lisser le microrelief cutanй, et/ou attйnuer les tвches de vieillesse.

US7387742B2

Silicon blades for surgical and non-surgical use

Becton, Dickinson and Company

6/17/2008

Ophthalmic surgical blades are manufactured from either a crystalline or polycrystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer. The method comprises preparing the crystalline or polycrystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. Methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or polycrystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single, double or multiple bevel blades. Nearly any bevel angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost. The ophthalmic surgical blades can be used for cataract and refractive surgical procedures, as well as microsurgical,

US7381736B2

Thiazole and thiadiazole inhibitors of tyrosine phosphatases

Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc.

6/3/2008

Compounds and compositions are provided for modulating the activity of protein tyrosine phosphatases. In one embodiment, the compounds and compositions are thiazoles and thiadiazoles that inhibit the activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B.

WO2008015277A3

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MARKING OBJECTS

HAMMELBACHER, Stephan

5/29/2008

The invention relates to a device and a method for marking objects. The points of several pen-shaped elements are pressed into the surface of the object (10), wherein the points of these elements penetrate into the surface of the object (10). During the penetrating, and/or after the penetrating of the points into the surface of the object (10), a dye is inserted into the object (10) at selected entry sites.

US7378097B2

Use of penetration enhancers and barrier disruption methods to enhance the immune response of antigen and adjuvant

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army

5/27/2008

A transcutaneous immunization system where the topical application of an adjuvant and an antigen or nucleic acid encoding for an antigen, to intact skin induces a systemic or mucosol antibody response. The immune response so elicited can be enhanced by physical or chemical skin penetration enhancement.

US7377904B2

Cap displacement mechanism for lancing device and multi-lancet cartridge

Facet Technologies, LLC

5/27/2008

A medical lancing device including a replaceable multi-lancet cartridge. The lancing device includes an advancing mechanism that advances lancets within the cartridge into an active position, separates a protective cap from the active lancet, and energize a drive mechanism of the lancing device. A cap displacement mechanism moves the separated cap out of the travel path of the active lancet. In a first example embodiment, the cap displacement mechanism includes a cantilevered spring arm that displaces the detached cap of the active lancet. In a second example embodiment, the cap displacement mechanism includes a spring-biased cam-driven plunger that displaces the detached cap of the active lancet. Then an activation mechanism releases the energized active lancet to traverse the unobstructed lancing stroke path to pierce the subject's skin at a desired lancing site.

US7376460B2

Method and apparatus for skin absorption enhancement and transdermal drug delivery

Mattioli Engineering Ltd.

5/20/2008

A treatment method and apparatus for providing a substance to be absorbed onto a surface of a patient's skin, includes applying the substance onto the surface of the patient's skin by way of a probe head that provides, at the same time: i) bursts of electrical pulses to the skin surface, and ii) vibrations to the skin surface. The vibrations are applied to the skin surface at substantially a same frequency rate, a first harmonic of the same frequency rate, and/or a second harmonic of the same frequency rate, as a burst rate of electrical pulses being applied to the skin surface.

US7374949B2

Diagnostic test strip for collecting and detecting an analyte in a fluid sample

Bayer HealthCare LLC

5/20/2008

A test strip for the use of the determination of an analyte in a fluid sample according to one embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The test strip comprises of a base having a top and a bottom, a collection chamber that extends between the top and the bottom of the base, a containing ring that is disposed on the bottom of the base and surrounds the collection chamber, and a capillary channel formed in top of the base that has an inlet fluidly coupled to the collection chamber and a test element disposed within the capillary channel. A lid is attached to the top of the base and covers the collection chamber, the test area, and at least a portion of the capillary channel.

US7374546B2

Integrated lancing test strip

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

5/20/2008

An integrated bodily fluid sampling device is used to sample a bodily fluid from an incision in skin. The device includes a lancet for forming the incision in the skin. A housing is coupled to the lancet. The housing defines at least in part a capillary channel with an opening. The capillary channel is sized to draw the bodily fluid from the incision via capillary action. A test strip is positioned along the capillary channel for analyzing the fluid. In one form, a flexible sheet extends from the housing proximal the opening of the capillary channel for drawing the bodily fluid into the opening of the capillary channel. In another form, the lancet is slidably received inside the channel. During lancing, the lancet extends from the housing to form the incision. Fluid from the incision is drawn into the channel and is deposited on the test strip for analysis.

US7374544B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

5/20/2008

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 mL of the fluid.

US7371247B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc

5/13/2008

A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of penetrating members each having a tip. A penetrating member driver is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. Each tip of a penetrating member is uncovered during launch of the penetrating member by the penetrating member driver. A support is provided with a plurality of openings. Each opening receives a penetrating member.

EP1632263A4

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING PAD BASE FOR TRANSDERMAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION, PAD BASE FOR TRANSDERMAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND NEEDLE

4/30/2008

US7364568B2

Microneedle transdermal transport device

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

4/29/2008

A transdermal transport device includes a reservoir for holding a formulation of an active principle, and a needle with a bore extending along the length of the needle from a first end of the needle to a second end of the needle. The second end is substantially aligned to a plane parallel to a body surface of a biological body when the device is placed on the body surface. The device also includes an actuator which pumps the formulation through the bore of the needle between a target area of the body and the reservoir.

US7361307B2

Biological fluid constituent sampling and measurement devices

LifeScan, Inc.

4/22/2008

A device for accessing biological fluid, sampling biological fluid constituents and determining the concentration of at least one target constituent within the accessed biological fluid is provided. The device has at least one micro-piercing member used to penetrate the skin to a selected depth and to access biological fluid, a constituent sampling means and a constituent measuring means. The constituent sampling means comprises a constituent transfer medium, such as a hydrophilic gel material, by which sampled constituents are transferred from the micro-piercing member to the measuring means. The measuring means includes an electrochemical cell having at least one porous electrode through which at least one sampled constituent is caused to enter into the electrochemical cell. Methods of sampling constituents within the skin and measuring the sampled constituents, as well as kits for practicing the invention are provided.

US7361182B2

Medical lancet

Lightnix, Inc.

4/22/2008

One of aspects of the present invention is to provide a medical lancet, which includes a first ascending region, a descending region, and a second ascending region subsequently and integrally formed of biodegradable material. Those regions extend from a point of the lancet in a predetermined direction, and each of the regions having triangular cross sections taken along any planes perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The first and second ascending regions have the triangular cross sections of which area monotonically increases as being away from the point. Also, the descending region has the triangular cross sections of which area monotonically decreases as being away from the point. The first and second ascending regions have the largest cross section having substantially the same size and shape to each other.

WO2008043565A2

TAPE TRANSPORT LANCE SAMPLER

ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH | F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG

4/17/2008

A lancet-sampler system is configured to automatically remove a protective cover from a lancet and automatically unpack a test pad just prior to use. This minimizes the risk of injury and reduces the chance of cross-contamination between the lancet and the test pad. The lancet defines a capillary groove for drawing body fluid from the incision via capillary action and a sample transfer opening for collecting the fluid from the groove. A carrier tape is coupled to the lancet. The carrier tape includes a test pad for analyzing the fluid. The tape is folded around the test pad to form an airtight package. The test pad is located at a position to align with the sample transfer opening when the tape is unfolded. The protective cover covers a portion of the lancet, and when the tape is pulled, the protective cover is automatically pulled from the lancet.

WO2008043498A1

LANCET WITH CAPILLARY CHANNEL

ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH | F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG | WERNER, Gerhard | HAAR, Hans-Peter

4/17/2008

The invention relates to a lancet of a lancet body (2) which has a lancet tip (3) for creating a puncture wound and a capillary channel (4) to convey body fluids out of the puncture wound in a direction of conveyance (F), wherein the capillary channel (4) is formed by a slot which runs though the entire lancet body (2) perpendicular to the direction of conveyance (F), and a test area (5) for optically inspecting a body fluid sample which is conveyed by the capillary channel (4). The test area (5) is constructed as a section of the slot (4) and has a transparent component (6,7,30) with a moistening surface for moistening with a body fluid sample for inspection. The invention further relates to a pricking system comprising such a lancet and a pricking device for creating a puncture wound.

EP1911394A1

Lancet with capillar channel

Roche Diagnostics GmbH | F.HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG

4/16/2008

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Lanzette einem Lanzettenkцrper (2), der eine Lanzettenspitze (3) zum Erzeugen einer Einstichwunde und einen Kapillarkanal (4) zum Fцrdern von Kцrperflьssigkeit aus einer Einstichwunde in einer Fцrderrichtung (F) aufweist, wobei der Kapfllдrkanal (4) von einem Schlitz gebildet ist, der durch den Lanzettenkцrper (2) senkrecht zu der Fцrderrichtung (F) vollstдndig hindurchgeht, und einem Testbereich (5) zum optischen Untersuchen einer mittels des Kapillarkanals (4) gefцrderten Kцrperflьssigkeitsprobe, wobei der Testbereich (5) als ein Abschnitt des Schlitzes (4) ausgebildet ist und ein transparentes Bauteil (6,7,30) umfasst, das eine Benetzungsflдche zum Benetzen mit einer zu untersuchenden Kцrperflьssigkeitsprobe aufweist.Die Erfindung betrifft ferner ein Stechsystem umfassend eine derartige Lanzette und ein Stechgerдt zum Erzeugen einer Einstichwunde.

WO2008042404A2

ELECTROKINETIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING METHOTREXATE

TRANSPORT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | ETHEREDGE, Robert, W, III | GOLDBERG, Dennis, I. | FRIDEN, Phillip, M. | PETERSEN, John, S.

4/10/2008

US7347961B2

Method and system having a flowable pressure pad for consolidating an uncured laminate sheet in a cure process

The Boeing Company

3/25/2008

A method and system (10) having a flowable pressure pad (22) for consolidating an uncured laminate sheet (14) during a cure cycle is provided. The system (10) includes an autoclave machine (12) for utilizing a pinmat (20) for to perforate and consolidate the sheet (14). This pinmat (20) has a mat portion (28) and a plurality of pins (26) extending from the mat portion (28). These pins (26) are intended to penetrate the uncured laminate sheet (14) during a perforation cycle that occurs prior to the cure cycle. During the cure cycle, the autoclave machine (12) applies a predetermined amount of and pressure heat to the pressure pad (22) for a predetermined amount of time so as to cause the pressure pad (22) to flow around the protruding pins (26). This feature allows the pressure pad (22) to transfer a substantial portion of the applied pressure to the uncured laminate sheet (14) so as to improve consolidation of the sheet (14). In this regard, less pressure is unintentionally transferred to the protruding pins

US7347835B2

Process for producing pad base for endermism, and pad base for endermism, and injection needle

Medrx Co., Ltd.

3/25/2008

The present invention provides a production process for obtaining a pad base for endermism capable of administering a drug in the skin without vibration. One side end of a thin metal wire is immersed in a solution containing a synthetic resin raw material in a lengthwise direction, the synthetic resin raw material solution adheres to a periphery of the thin metal wire, the synthetic resin raw material solution is hardened and then the thin metal wire is pulled out. The resulting minute needle is a hollow tubular body and the outer wall thereof is thickened toward the bottom. The minute needle is installed upright on the skin side of a patch base, and a drug in the hollow portion of the minute needle is injected in the skin and can be provided for endermism.

US7344894B2

Thermal regulation of fluidic samples within a diagnostic cartridge

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

3/18/2008

A method and miniature analytical device with thermal regulation of reactant using a localized heat source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation, such as light emitting diodes (“LED”s) and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (“VCSEL”s), generating internal heat, such as resistive, inductive and Peltier heaters, or external heating. The miniature analytical device comprises of array of temperature-controlled zones to restrict the volume heated and localize the heating by having the localized heat source comprise an array of emitters or heaters.

US7344507B2

Method and apparatus for lancet actuation

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

3/18/2008

A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet and a processor coupled to the drive force generator capable of changing the direction and magnitude of force exerted on the lancet during the lancing cycle. The driver further includes a human interface on the housing providing at least one output for communicating with the patient.

US7344499B1

Microneedle device for extraction and sensing of bodily fluids

Georgia Tech Research Corporation

3/18/2008

Microneedle devices are provided for controlled sampling of biological fluids in a minimally-invasive, painless, and convenient manner. The microneedle devices permit in vivo sensing or withdrawal of biological fluids from the body, particularly from or through the skin or other tissue barriers, with minimal or no damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. The microneedle device includes one or more microneedles, preferably in a three-dimensional array, a substrate to which the microneedles are connected, and at least one collection chamber and/or sensor in communication with the microneedles. Preferred embodiments further include a means for inducing biological fluid to be drawn through the microneedles and into the collection chamber for analysis. In a preferred embodiment, this induction is accomplished by use of a pressure gradient, which can be created for example by selectively increasing the interior volume of the collection chamber, which includes an elastic or movable portion engaged to a rigid base.

US20080063696A1

Use of penetration enhancers and barrier disruption methods to enhance the immune response of antigen and adjuvant

Government of the United States, as Represented by the Secretary of the Army

3/13/2008

EP1891898A1

Lancing device

Roche Diagnostics GmbH | F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

2/27/2008

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Stechgerдt zum Erzeugen einer Einstichwunde zum Gewinnen einer Probe einer Kцrperflьssigkeit, umfassend ein Andruckteil (4) zum Anpressen an ein Kцrperteil, in dem an einer Probenentnahmestelle eine Einstichwunde erzeugt werden soll, einen Prьfsensor (5) zum Messen eines Wertes eines Prьfparameters, der von einem Zustand des Kцrperteils an der Entnahmestelle und/oder der Position des Andruckteils (4) relativ zu der Entnahmestelle abhдngt, und eine Auswerteeinheit (10), um zu ermitteln, ob der mit dem Prьfsensor (5) gemessene Wert des Prьfparameters einer vorgegebenen Mindestanforderung, die eine erfolgreiche Probengewinnung erwarten lдsst, genьgt. ErfindungsgemдЯ ist vorgesehen, dass in einem Betriebsmodus der Wert des Prьfparameters, nachdem er die vorgegebene Mindestanforderung erreicht hat, wдhrend eines Wartezeitintervalls mittels des Prьfsensors (5) ьberwacht wird und die Auswerteeinheit (10) nach Ablauf der Wartezeit einen Einstich auslцst, wenn die wдhrend der Wartezeit ermit

US7335294B2

Integrated lancing and measurement device and analyte measuring methods

Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc.

2/26/2008

An integrated lancing and measurement device is provided comprising a sensor designed to determine the amount and/or concentration of analyte in a biological fluid having a volume of less than about 1 μL. A piercing member is adapted to pierce and retract from a site on the patient to cause the fluid to flow therefrom, and the sensor is positioned adjacent to the site on the patient so as to receive the fluid flowing from the site to generate an electrical signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in the fluid. The sensor is comprised of a working electrode comprising an analyte-responsive enzyme and a redox mediator, and a counter electrode. An analyte monitor is operatively connected to the sensor and adapted to measure the signal generated by the sensor. Also provided are analyte measuring methods that optionally employ the integrated lancing and measurement device.

US7331931B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

2/19/2008

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A cartridge houses the penetrating member. The cartridge has first and second seals coupled to the penetrating member to maintain a sterile environment around a portion of the penetration member prior to penetrating member actuation. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.

WO2008016331A1

ULTRASONIC ENHANCED MICRONEEDLES

AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH | ILIESCU, Ciprian | CHEN, Bangtao

2/7/2008

The invention provides an injection device for injecting a substance into a subject. The device comprises an injector and an enhancer for enhancing the rate of penetration of the substance into the subject. The injector comprises a microneedle support and at least one microneedle extending from a first surface of said support. The or each microneedle has a fluid channel extending through the microneedle and through the support. The fluid channel of the or each microneedle has an inlet aperture in a second surface of the support and an outlet aperture in the microneedle.

WO2008015277A2

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MARKING OBJECTS

HAMMELBACHER, Stephan

2/7/2008

US7322942B2

Integrated disposable for automatic or manual blood dosing

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

1/29/2008

An integrated sampling device defines a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is connected to a channel for drawing fluid automatically towards a test media upon incision by an incision portion. The second opening is positioned over the test media allowing manual sampling of fluid if the channel fails to draw a sufficient amount of fluid onto the test media.

WO2008010682A1

A HOLLOW TYPE MICRONEEDLE AND METHODS FOR PREPARING IT

INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY | JUNG, HYUNG IL | LEE, KWANG

1/24/2008

Disclosed herein are hollow microneedles and a fabrication method thereof. The microneedles are small in diameter and are long and hard enough to pass through the stratum corneum. Therefore, the hollow microneedle of the present invention can be used in blood sampling or drug injection through the skin.

EP1878386A1

Process to produce lancet; lancet, lancet band and device for pricking the skin

Roche Diagnostics GmbH | F.HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG

1/16/2008

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Lanzette, bei dem ein Lanzettenkцrper einschlieЯlich einer Lanzettenspitze mittels Laserschneiden aus einem Metallband ausgeschnitten wird sowie eine auf diese Weise hergestellte Lanzette. Die Erfindung betrifft ferner ein Lanzettenvorratsband mit mehren Lanzetten, die jeweils in Kammern (12) einer Folienverpackung (11) versiegelt sind, wobei die Kammern (12) der Folienverpackung (11) ein Band bilden. Die Erfindung betrifft ferner ein Stechgerдt zum Erzeugen einer Einstichwunde mittels einer austauschbaren Lanzette (10), umfassend einen Lanzettenantrieb (21) zum Bewegen einer in das Stechgerдt (20) eingesetzten Lanzette (10) fьr einen Einstich, wobei der Lanzettenantrieb (21) fьr einen Einstich ein Drehmoment auf eine eingesetzte Lanzette (10) ьbertrдgt, so dass die eingesetzte Lanzette (10) eine Einstichbewegung in Form einer Drehbewegung ausfьhrt.

US7316700B2

Self optimizing lancing device with adaptation means to temporal variations in cutaneous properties

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

1/8/2008

A lancing device, an embodiment of which controls the advancement and retraction of a lancet by monitoring the position of the lancet in conjunction with a lancet controller which incorporates a feedback loop for modulating the lancet driver to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile.

US7316671B2

Microprotrusion arrays and methods for using same to deliver substances into tissue

Becton, Dickinson and Company

1/8/2008

Improved microprotrusion abrasion devices having fluid retaining or directing patterns, and specific design parameters and method for delivery of substances into the skin. Various configurations of such devices are disclosed, including domed, channeled, patterned and stepped.

WO2007124393A3

MOLDED ARTICLES COMPRISING MICRONEEDLE ARRAYS

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY | FERGUSON, Dennis, E.

1/3/2008

A molded article comprising at least one chain of microneedle arrays wherein adjacent arrays in the chain are interconnected by integrally formed runners. Such a molded article may further comprise two or more chains of microneedle arrays, wherein adjacent chains are interconnected to each other by integrally formed runners. Also, methods of making molded articles and positioning them for delivery to a patient.

US7315758B2

Transdermal delivery of therapeutic agent

Lynntech, Inc.

1/1/2008

A device for the transdermal delivery of a therapeutic agent to a biological subject that includes a first electrode comprising a first array of electrically conductive microprojections for providing electrical communication through a skin portion of the subject to a second electrode comprising a second array of electrically conductive microprojections. Additionally, a reservoir for holding the therapeutic agent surrounding the first electrode and a pulse generator for providing an exponential decay pulse between the first and second electrodes may be provided. A method includes the steps of piercing a stratum corneum layer of skin with two arrays of conductive microprojections, encapsulating the therapeutic agent into biocompatible charged carriers, surrounding the conductive microprojections with the therapeutic agent, generating an exponential decay pulse between the two arrays of conductive microprojections to create a non-uniform electrical field and electrokinetically driving the therapeutic agent throu

WO2006116242A3

MICRONEEDLE WITH GLUCOSE SENSOR AND METHOD THEREOF

INFOTONICS TECHNOLOGY CENTER, INC. | ZANDER, Dennis

12/21/2007

A method for making a needle for monitoring blood, a blood monitoring system and a needle array system for monitoring blood are described. Sensors are associated with each microneedle so that each microneedle can sample blood chemistry without extraction. The sensing process is achieved while the needle is inside the patient, minimizing invasiveness and contamination.

US7310543B2

Silicon microprobe with integrated biosensor

Kumetrix, Inc.

12/18/2007

Microprobe device 10 provides an analyte signal from biosensor 12 to an external analyte meter indicating analyte presence in an analyte-containing bodily fluid of a subject (not shown).

US7309607B2

Method and device for monitoring platelet function

PlaCor Inc.

12/18/2007

The invention provides a method of monitoring platelet function in a mammal by passing blood removed from the body of the mammal through a passageway to contact an obstruction or irregularity in the passageway to generate a platelet mass in the passageway, and monitoring the flow or composition of the blood in the passageway to detect the platelet mass. The flow and composition change in response to the formation of a platelet mass in the passageway. Devices, articles, and kits for performing the methods are also disclosed.

EP1471953A4

GAS PRESSURE ACTUATED MICRONEEDLE ARRAYS, AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS RELATING TO SAME

12/12/2007

US7305896B2

Capillary fill test device

Inverness Medical Switzerland GmbH

12/11/2007

A device for receiving a sample of liquid, such as a sample of bodily liquid which is to be subjected to further analysis, may include a body having at least a major surface and a minor surface. A sample-receiving chamber may be located in the body and may have an inlet end which opens into the major and minor surfaces of the body. A conduit may be located in the body, extending from the outlet end of the chamber, and may be arranged so as to allow the liquid to pass from the outlet end into the conduit by capillary action.

WO2007035710A3

ELECTROKINETIC DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREFOR

TRANSPORT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | ETHEREDGE, Robert, W. | GOLDBERG, Dennis, I. | FRIDEN, Phillip, M. | PETERSON, John, S.

12/6/2007

The electrokinetic medicament delivery system includes at least one applicator having a multiplicity of non-conductive micro-needles carried on a non-conductive surface of the applicator. The opposite surface is formed of electrically conductive material for contact with an active electrode. The applicator includes a matrix containing a medicament or a carrier therefor between the opposite surfaces. When the applicator is applied to the individual's skin with the micro-needles penetrating the skin, an electrical current is completed through the power source, the active electrode, medicament, or electrically conductive carrier therefor, the targeted treatment site, the individual's body, a ground electrode and the power supply, thereby electrokinetically driving the medicament through the non-conductive micro-needles into the targeted treatment site.

US7297151B2

Method and apparatus for body fluid sampling with improved sensing

Elikan Technologies, Inc.

11/20/2007

A device is provided for use with a body fluid sampling device for extracting bodily fluid from an anatomical feature. The device comprises a cartridge having a plurality of cavities. The device may include a plurality of penetrating members each at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge wherein the penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from openings on the cartridge to penetrate tissue. The device may also include a plurality of analyte detecting members and a plurality of chambers. Each chamber may be associated with one of the cavities, the chambers positioned along an outer periphery of the cartridge, wherein at least one of said analyte detecting members forms a portion of one wall of one of said plurality of chambers. In one embodiment, the device may also include a fluid spreader positioned over at least a portion of said analyte detecting member to urge fluid toward one of the detecting members.

US7297122B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

PeliKan Technologies, Inc.

11/20/2007

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes a single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A flexible support member couples the penetrating members to define a linear array. The support member is movable and configured to move each of the penetrating members to a launch position associated with the force generator. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.

US7291497B2

Medical device for analyte monitoring and drug delivery

Theranos, Inc.

11/6/2007

The invention relates to an ingestible, implantable or wearable medical device comprising a microarray which comprises a bioactive agent capable of interacting with a disease marker biological analyte; a reservoir which comprises at least one therapeutic agent and is capable of releasing the therapeutic agent(s) from the medical device; and a plurality of microchips comprising a microarray scanning device capable of obtaining physical parameter data of an interaction between the disease marker biological analyte with the bioactive agent; a biometric recognition device capable of comparing the physical parameter data with an analyte interaction profile; optionally a therapeutic agent releasing device capable of controlling release of the therapeutic agent from the reservoirs; an interface device capable of facilitating communications between the microarray scanning device, biometric recognition device and the therapeutic agent releasing device; and an energy source to power the medical device. Specifically, th

US7291117B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

11/6/2007

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes a voice coil based penetrating member driver. A plurality of penetrating members are included. A transport mechanism is configured to engage the cartridges. Each of the cartridges is operatively engaged with the penetrating member driver when moved into position by the transport mechanism.

WO2007124393A2

MOLDED ARTICLES COMPRISING MICRONEEDLE ARRAYS

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY | FERGUSON, Dennis, E.

11/1/2007

WO2007123243A1

BIO SENSOR CHIP

11/1/2007

A bio sensor chip where the amount of a sample to be collected and required for measurement is decreased to reduce the labor of the user and where a sample at a puncture opening is easily collected and measured. The bio sensor chip has a chip body (11) and a slider (20). The chip body (11) has at its forward end (11a) a sample collection opening (12a) for collecting a sample (B), and the slider (20) has a piercing instrument (21) at its forward end (20a) and is slidable along the chip body (11) toward its forward end. That is, since the slider (20) having the piercing instrument (21) at the forward end (20a) is slid along the chip body (11) of the bio sensor chip (10), toward its forward end where the sample collection opening (12a) is provided, the piercing instrument (21) can be easily inserted into a subject, and in addition, the sample, such as blood (B), flowing out of the puncture opening can be reliably collected from the sample collection opening (12a). Also, the bio sensor chip does not erroneously h

WO2007123135A1

BIO SENSOR SYSTEM

11/1/2007

A bio sensor system that, when a puncture instrument and/or a bio sensor chip are driven at the same time to perform puncturing and sample collection, the bio sensor chip and a measurement device can be electrically conducted with each other by a simple structure. The bio sensor chip (20) is inserted in a terminal insertion section (32) of a drive section (31) and fixed in position. In the above, the bio sensor chip (20) is electrically connected to the measurement device (30) because the terminal insertion section (32) is electrically connected to the measurement device (30) by a conduction mechanism (12). Accordingly, puncturing and samplecollection are performed by driving both the puncture instrument (11) and the bio sensor chip (20) by a drive section (31), and information on the collected sample is transmitted from the bio sensor chip (20) to the measurement device (30) by the conduction mechanism (12). As a result, measurement can be made in a short time and simply, reducing a burden on the user.

WO2006116605A3

METHOD FOR FORMING HOLLOW OUT-OF-PLANE MICRONEEDLES AND DEVICES FORMED THEREBY

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | STOEBER, Boris | LIEPMANN, Dorian | PISANO, Albert | ZIMMERMANN, Stefan

11/1/2007

A method and apparatus for forming microneedles and other microstructures using hardenable materials and useful for substance monitoring and/or drug delivery.

US7288073B2

System for withdrawing small amounts of body fluid

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

10/30/2007

The present invention generally relates to a system for withdrawing small amounts if body fluid from an animal or human. The system comprises a holder and a disposable lancing unit attached to the holder. The lancing unit also comprises an open capillary channel for transporting the body fluid and piercing the skin.

US7286864B1

Dry physiological recording device

Orbital Research, Inc.

10/23/2007

The present invention relates to a dry physiological recording electrode that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The dry physiological recording electrode comprising a substrate having an upper and a lower surface, and at least one penetrator(s) protruding from the upper surface of the substrate. The penetrator(s) is capable of piercing through the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin, and transmitting an electric potential from the lower layers of the epidermis through the penetrator(s) which can be measured, or detecting agents from the lower layers of the epidermis primarily the stratum germinativum layer. At least one epidermis stop may be provided resulting in the formation of detritus troughs interposed between adjacent penetrator(s) and epidermis stops. The present invention also includes a method of sensing biopotentials in the skin.

US7285113B2

Systems and methods for the transport of fluids through a biological barrier and production techniques for such systems

NanoPass Technologies Ltd.

10/23/2007

A device for the transport of fluids through a biological barrier includes a number of microneedles projecting from the front face of a substrate. A conduit is associated with each of the microneedles to provide a fluid flow path for transport of fluid through a hole in the biological barrier formed by the corresponding microneedle. Each of the microneedles is configured to provide a penetrating tip, and each conduit terminates at an opening which is proximal with respect to the microneedle tip. Also described are microneedle-based devices with integrated MEMS pumping configurations for withdrawal and/or delivery of fluids, and remote healthcare systems based on such devices.

US20070235408A1

Method of making tapered capillary tips with constant inner diameters

Battelle Memorial Institute

10/11/2007

US7273474B2

Flexible substrate structure for microneedle arrays and its manufacturing method

Industrial Technology Research Institute

9/25/2007

The present invention is related to a flexible substrate structure for microneedle arrays and its manufacturing method, whose structure mainly comprising: tapered shape objects and flexible substrate. Wherein, structure of the tapered shape object is composed of a tip, sidewalls, and a base. Meanwhile, the flexible substrate winds tightly around sidewalls of tapered shape objects and is set up on, yet covers the base surface of tapered shape object which faces the tip of tapered shape object. Because the structure applies a flexible substrate along with tapered shape objects, hence, the fit-to-body capability is increased and allows thereof more appropriate for backside drug delivery, as well as sufficiently bring the characteristic of large-area manufacturing into full play.

EP1675539A4

PRETREATMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY

9/12/2007

DE102004010529B4

Analysehandgerдt

Roche Diagnostics GmbH

9/6/2007

Analysehandgerдt zum Untersuchen einer Probe, insbesondere einer biologischen Flьssigkeit, auf einen medizinisch bedeutsamen Bestandteil, umfassend einen Analysesensor (15), dem auf einem Fцrderweg ein analytisches Verbrauchsmittel zufьhrbar ist, eine Anzeigeeinrichtung (3), ein Gehдuse (4), das eine Gehдuseцffnung (10) fьr ein analytisches Verbrauchsmittel (9) aufweist, an die der Fцrderweg anschlieЯt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daЯ es eine antreibbare Fцrderwalze (16, 18) hat, mit der ein in den Fцrderweg ragendes Verbrauchsmittel (9) gegriffen und entlang des Fцrderwegs bewegt werden kann.

US7262068B2

Microneedle array module and method of fabricating the same

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

8/28/2007

A microneedle array module is disclosed comprising a multiplicity of microneedles affixed to and protruding outwardly from a front surface of a substrate to form the array, each microneedle of the array having a hollow section which extends through its center to an opening in the tip thereof. A method of fabricating the microneedle array module is also disclosed comprising the steps of: providing etch resistant mask layers to one and another opposite surfaces of a substrate to predetermined thicknesses; patterning the etch resistant mask layer of the one surface for outer dimensions of the microneedles of the array; patterning the etch resistant mask layer of the other surface for inner dimensions of the microneedles of the array; etching unmasked portions of the substrate from one and the other surfaces to first and second predetermined depths, respectively; and removing the mask layers from the one and the other surfaces. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of: providing an etch resistant mask l

EP1820441A1

Microneedle arrays with attenuated total reflection (ATR) sensor

Roche Diagnostics GmbH | F.HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG

8/22/2007

Es wird ein Sensor zur optischen Bestimmung der Konzentration eines Analyten in einer Kцrperflьssigkeit beschrieben. Dieser Sensor beinhaltet eine Nadelanordnung, die mindestens eine Hohlnadel, mit einem sich von dem distalen Ende zum proximalen Ende erstreckenden Hohlraum, aufweist, deren distales Ende zum Stechen geeignet ist. Das proximale Ende der Nadel mьndet in eine Kammer, in der Flьssigkeit gesammelt werden kann, die durch das distale Nadelende eintritt. Ein Fenster das fьr Infrarotstrahlung zumindest zum Teil durchlдssig ist, tritt in direkten Kontakt mit der Kammer.

US7258805B2

Micro needles and method of manufacture thereof

8/21/2007

A micro-needle protrudes from a support member. The needle has a needle body portion, a closed pointed tip portion, and an inner lumen extending through the support member and into the protruding needle. The needle body portion has at least one side opening communicating with the inner lumen. The method of making the needle comprises providing a mask on the front side of an etchable wafer such that the vertical projection of the mask at least partially covers the extension of a hole made in the back side. The mask is isotropically underetched to remove wafer material. An anisotropic etch forms a protruding structure. Optionally a second isotropic etch on the protruding structure exposes the blind hole. Optionally a final anisotropic etch extends the needle without forming side openings.

US7258693B2

Device and method for variable speed lancet

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

8/21/2007

A method of penetrating tissue is provided. The method comprises using a lancet driver to advance a lancet into the tissue; advancing the lancet at a first desired velocity in a first layer of tissue; advancing the lancet at a second desired velocity in a second layer of tissue; and advancing the lancet at a third desired velocity in a third layer of tissue. In one embodiment, the method may including using a processor having logic for controlling velocity of the lancet in each layer of tissue.

US7244739B2

Compounds and uses thereof in modulating amyloid beta

Torreypines Therapeutics, Inc.

7/17/2007

Novel compounds, compositions, and kits are provided. Methods of modulating Aβ levels, and methods of treating a disease associated with aberrant Aβ levels are also provided.

US7244265B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

7/17/2007

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes a drive force generator and a penetrating member operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. The drive force generator is configured to be controlled to follow a predetermined velocity trajectory into the tissue and out of the tissue. A tissue stabilizing member is associated with the device and at least partially surrounds an impact location of the penetrating member on the tissue site. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.

US7244264B2

Dual blade lancing test strip

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

7/17/2007

An integrated lancing test strip includes a pair of blade members that each have a lancing tip that are configured to lance skin. A pair of spacer members connect the blade members together such that the blade members define an internal capillary. A test strip is positioned along the internal capillary, and the test strip is configured to test analyte levels in the bodily fluid. During use, the lancing tips form one or more incisions in the skin. The fluid from the incisions is drawn via capillary action through the internal capillary and onto the test strip.

WO2007033079A3

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST STRIP

HOME DIAGNOSTICS, INC. | WEGNER, Greta | POPOVICH, Natasha | SLOMSKI, Dennis

7/12/2007

A method for manufacturing a test strip is provided. The method comprises selecting a test strip substrate material and positioning the test strip substrate material a predetermined distance from a matrix material disposed on a second substrate, wherein at least one enzyme to be deposited on the test strip substrate and having glucose as an enzymatic substrate is held within the matrix material. A laser pulse is directed towards the matrix material to release at least a portion of the at least one enzyme having glucose as an enzymatic substrate from the matrix material and deposit the enzyme on the test strip substrate.

US7241394B2

Process of fabricating polymer sustained microelectrodes

Lumera Corporation

7/10/2007

A process for fabricating a microelectrode is described that includes: a) providing a substrate comprising at least one polymer micro-ridge, where the polymer micro-ridge comprises an upper surface and two walls, and the two walls form an angle with a lower surface; b) depositing a metal thin film on the upper surface, the two walls, and the lower surface; and c) etching a predetermined amount of the deposited metal thin film on the lower surface to form the microelectrode.

WO2007075614A1

MICRONEEDLE DEVICES

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY | PEKUROVSKY, Mikhail L., | JOHNSON, Mitchell A. F.,

7/5/2007

Microneedles and microarrays comprising such microneedles are described. The microneedles comprise: a base; a shaft portion extending from the base to a second end distal from the base; a microblade structure extending from the second end; capillary spaces associated with the microblade structure; and a coating in the capillary spaces, the coating comprising an active component. The invention also provides a method for delivering an active component through mammalian skin, comprising: applying the medical device to mammalian skin so that the at least one microneedle is inserted through the stratum corneum and the active component is exposed to interstitial fluids; and allowing the at least one microneedle to remain inserted through the stratum corneum for a sufficient amount of time to dissolve the active component. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for applying an active component to a microneedle, comprising: providing a microneedle, comprising: a base, a shaft portion extending from the ba

EP1796778A1

MOLDED MICRO-NEEDLES

Bonsens AB

6/20/2007

The method relates generally to making hollow micro-projections having side walls and at least one opening in a side wall, by a molding technique. The hollow micro-projections are defined by a first, negative mold defining the exterior shape of said micro-projections and a second, positive mold defining the hollow interior shape of said micro-projections. The method comprises injecting a moldable material into the space between the two molds, in a state where they have been brought together. The positive and negative molds each have an essentially cylindrical geometry. In the process of bringing the molds together, the mold halves are laterally off-set with respect to each other, such that the distance between an inner wall of the negative mold and the positive mold in said area, ranges from zero to a finite distance. Micro-projections and arrays of micro-projections are also provided by the invention.

US7232451B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

6/19/2007

A skin penetrating system has a housing member and a plurality of penetrating members positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing device is coupled to the housing member. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.

US7229458B2

Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

6/12/2007

A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of cartridges each with a distal port and a proximal port. A plurality of penetrating members are provided, each coupled to a cartridge and having a sharpened distal tip and a shaft portion slidably disposed within the cartridge. A seal is formed by a fracturable material between the penetrating member and the cartridge. The seal is positioned at one or both of a distal port or a proximal port of the cartridge.

WO2007063948A1

SENSOR/LANCET INTEGRATED DEVICE AND METHOD OF COLLECTING BODY FLUID USING THE SAME

ARKRAY, Inc. | DOI, Shigeru

6/7/2007

A sensor/lancet integrated device (1) provided with a lancet having a needle part (14) for puncturing the skin and a sensor having a reagent part (17). The lancet is integrally molded with the needle part (14). It is preferable that the device (1) further has a capillary (15) for supplying into the reagent part (17). The needle part (14) has, for example, a hollow form the inner space of which is connected with an inlet port. The needle part (14) may project from a position different from the inlet port.

US7226461B2

Method and apparatus for a multi-use body fluid sampling device with sterility barrier release

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

6/5/2007

A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.

US7226439B2

Microneedle drug delivery device

Georgia Tech Research Corporation

6/5/2007

Simple microneedle devices for delivery of drugs across or into biological tissue are provided, which permit drug delivery at clinically relevant rates across or into skin or other tissue barriers, with minimal or no damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. The devices include a substrate to which a plurality of hollow microneedles are attached or integrated, and at least one reservoir, containing the drug, selectably in communication with the microneedles, wherein the volume or amount of drug to be delivered can be selectively altered. The reservoir can be formed of a deformable, preferably elastic, material. The device typically includes a means, such as a plunger, for compressing the reservoir to drive the drug from the reservoir through the microneedles. In one embodiment, the reservoir is a syringe or pump connected to the substrate.

US7223248B2

Packaged medical device with a deployable dermal tissue penetration member

LifeScan, Inc.

5/29/2007

A packaged medical device includes upper and lower flexible sheets, a lance body and a test strip. The lance body includes upper and lower surfaces, an opening that extends between the upper and lower surfaces and a dermal tissue penetration member that projects into the lance body opening. The test strip has an opening therethrough and is attached to the lance body lower surface such that the dermal tissue penetration member is operatively aligned with the test strip opening. The upper flexible sheet is attached to the lance body upper surface and covers the lance body opening, while the lower flexible sheet is detachably attached to the test strip and covers the test strip opening. The upper flexible sheet, lance body and test strip are configured such that, when the lower flexible sheet has been detached to uncover the test strip opening, the upper flexible sheet, lance body and test strip can be bent to deploy the dermal tissue penetration member from the lance body opening. A kit includes the packaged me

WO2005113374A3

DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-VIVO SAMPLING

GIVEN IMAGING LTD. | IDDAN, Gavriel | RABINOVITZ, Elisha

5/24/2007

A device, system and method for in-vivo sampling. An in-vivo device and method for use thereof may include a sampling chamber and a gating mechanism. The sampling chamber may store a sample of a body lumen substance, and the gate may close and open an opening of the sampling chamber.

EP1787584A1

Cap with revolving body for dermal tissue lancing device

LifeScan, Inc.

5/23/2007

A cap for a dermal tissue lancing device includes a retainer and a ring-shaped cap body. The retainer has a proximal end configured for engagement with the dermal tissue lancing device, a distal end with a cap body engagement feature and an opening. The ring-shaped cap body has a distal compression surface, borders the opening and is securely and revolvingly engaged with the cap body engagement feature. When a force is exerted on the distal compression surface during use of the cap, the ring-shaped cap body revolves (e.g., inward with respect to the opening) while remaining securely engaged with the retainer.

US7214200B2

Integrated analytical test element

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

5/8/2007

A lancet integrated test element (LIT) includes an incision forming member that has a cutting end configured to form an incision in tissue. A test element is attached to the incision forming member to test fluid from the incision. The test element has a sampling end with a sample opening through which the fluid is collected. The test element is bendable from a first state where the cutting end of the incision forming member is retracted from the sampling end of the test element to a second state where at least a portion of the cutting extends past the sampling end of the test element to form the incision in the tissue.

US20070098773A1

Needleless microprotrusion elastoplast system

5/3/2007

US7211209B2

Method of making device for arraying biomolecules and for monitoring cell motility in real-time

Surface Logix, Inc.

5/1/2007

The invention relates to devices, devices for arraying biomolecules, including cells, methods for arraying biomolecules, assays for monitoring cellular movement, and systems for monitoring cellular movement. The devices include a support; a first layer configured to be placed in fluid-tight contact with the support, the first layer having an upper surface and defining a pattern of micro-orifices, each micro-orifice of the pattern of micro-orifices having walls and defining a micro-region on the support when the first layer is placed in fluid-tight contact with the support such that the walls of said each micro-orifice and the micro-region on the support together define a micro-well; and a second layer configured to be placed in fluid-tight contact with the upper surface of the first layer, the second layer defining a pattern of macro-orifices, each macro-orifice of the pattern of macro-orifices having walls and defining a macro-region when the first layer is placed in fluid-tight contact with the support and

US7211062B2

Solid solution perforator for drug delivery and other applications

TheraJect, Inc.

5/1/2007

A solid drug perforator (SSP) system and an associated drug reservoir are provided for delivering theraputic, prophylactic and/or cosmetic compounds, for nutrient delivery and for drug targeting. For drug delivery, the SSP system includes an active drug ingredient and a matrix of perforator material that biodegrades or dissolves quickly upon contact with a patient's body. The SSP system provides a skin barrier perforator and a controller for prompt initiation and cut-off of drug delivery. In a preferred method of transdermal drug delivery, an SSP system containing a selected drug penetrates into an epidermis or dermis, and the drug is promptly released from the (dissolving) SSP system perforator. An additional drug is optionally delivered from a patch reservoir through skin pores created by insertion of the perforator. Formulation and fabrication procedures for the SSP and associated reservoir are also provided. An SSP system can be fabricated with variety of shapes and dimensions.

US7207952B2

Body fluid composition measuring apparatus

Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha

4/24/2007

A body fluid component measuring apparatus capable of accurately measuring a specific component in a body fluid for a short time includes, in a main body, a measuring device for detecting the sampling of a body fluid and measuring a component of the sampled body fluid, and a pump and an electromagnetic valve which constitute an evacuating mechanism. When the sampling of blood is detected, the pump is stopped to release the evacuation state. Another apparatus according to a second aspect includes a pressure detecting means and a notifying device. A puncturing device is operated only when it is decided on the basis of a result of detection by a sensor, that the housing is in an evacuation state, and after the sampling is detected, the evacuation is released and information is notified. A further apparatus according to a third aspect includes a pressure adjusting means for fluctuating the pressure.

Pore-size dependence of AAO films on surface roughness of Al-1050 sheets controlled by electropolishing coupled with fractional factorial design. Yu, Chen-Un; Hu, Chi-Chang; Bai, Allen; Yang, Yong-Feng. Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi, Taiwan. Surface and Coatings Technology (2007), 201(16-17), 7259-7265. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: SCTEEJ ISSN: 0257-8972. Journal written in English. AN 2007:425322 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract

The influences of electropolishing variables, such as agitation rate, soln. temp., applied potential, electropolishing time, and the vol. percentage of perchloric acid in ethanol-perchloric acid solns., on the surface roughness of the industrially pure aluminum sheets (Al-1050, 99.5%) are systematically investigated using fractional factorial design (FFD). The soln. temp., applied potential, and electropolishing time are found to be the key factors affecting the surface roughness of Al-1050 sheets meanwhile the vol. percentage of perchloric acid (or ethanol) exhibits complicated interaction effects with these key factors. The av. surface roughness of aluminum sheets ranging from 3 to 30 nm (over a 5  5 m scan area) can be controlled and predicted by varying the applied potential and polishing time when electropolishing is performed at 4 C (i.e., the low level of soln. temp.). Highly uniform, self-ordered anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) can be effectively formed from these polished sheets via an anodizing program in an aq. soln. mainly consisting of sulfuric and oxalic acids. The pore size of AAO is gradually decreased from ca. 90 to 60 nm when the surface roughness of Al sheets is increased from 3 to 30 nm.

Abstract:

WO2007040938A1

FUNCTIONALIZED MICRONEEDLES TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS

TRANSCUTANEOUS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

4/12/2007

Systems, devices, and methods for transdermal delivery of one or more therapeutic active agents to a biological interface. A transdermal drug delivery system is operable for delivering of one or more therapeutic active agents to a biological interface. The system includes an active electrode assembly, a counter electrode assembly, and a plurality of functionalized microneedles.

EP1566146B1

Devices for extracting bodily fluids

LifeScan, Inc.

4/4/2007

A bodily fluid extraction device includes a penetration member configured for penetrating a target site and subsequently residing within the target site and extracting a bodily fluid sample. The penetration member includes a proximal end adapted for fluid communication with an analyte analysis system, a distal end, and a channel extending from the distal to the proximal end. The distal end includes a sharp portion for penetrating a target site, and a flexible feature adapted for promoting bodily fluid flow into the channel by protruding into the target site after the penetration member has penetrated the target site. A method for extracting bodily fluid includes providing a bodily fluid extraction device as described immediately above. Subsequently, a target site is penetrated with the distal end of the bodily fluid extraction device's penetration member and the flexible portion of the penetration member is caused to protrude into the target site and promote bodily fluid flow into the penetration member's cha

US7198606B2

Method and apparatus for a multi-use body fluid sampling device with analyte sensing

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

4/3/2007

A device for use with a penetrating member driver to penetrate tissue is provided. A plurality of penetrating members are coupled to a single cartridge and are operatively couplable to the penetrating member driver. The penetrating members are movable to extend radially outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. A plurality of analyte sensors are coupled to the single cartridge and are positioned on the cartridge to receive body fluid from a wound in the tissue created by the penetrating member.

WO2007035710A2

ELECTROKINETIC DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREFOR

TRANSPORT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

3/29/2007

WO2007033079A2

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST STRIP

HOME DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

3/22/2007

WO2007025713A1

ASSEMBLY FOR RECEIVING BODY FLUIDS, AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF

F. HOFFMANN LA ROCHE AG | ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH

3/8/2007

Disclosed is an assembly for receiving body fluids, comprising a sample taking element (10) that is provided with an area (12) for collecting body fluid obtained with the aid of a puncture. The collecting area is formed by a longitudinal slot (12) which is elongate as a capillary tube and is open on both sides via lateral holes (28,30) on the sample taking element (10).

EP1759633A1

Device for sampling bodily fluids and its fabrication method

F.HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG | Roche Diagnostics GmbH

3/7/2007

Body fluids e.g. blood, collecting arrangement, has collecting area formed by both-sided opened, capillary longitudinal slot in sampling unit, where slot includes distal receiving section and proximal venting section The arrangement has a sampling unit (10) provided with a piercing unit to pierce a body part (14). The sampling unit includes a collecting area for collecting body fluids received by piercing the body part. The collecting area is formed by a both-sided opened, capillary longitudinal slot (12) in the sampling unit. The slot has a distal receiving section (32) that extends into the skin of the body part, and a proximal venting section (34) provided outside the skin, while collecting the fluid. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a potable blood analysis device with an arrangement for collecting body fluids (2) a method for manufacturing a sampling unit for sampling body fluids.

US7186235B2

Device for manipulating a needle or abrader array and method of use

Becton, Dickinson and Company

3/6/2007

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for intradermally administering a pharmaceutical composition or other substance into and through the skin of a mammalian body in a manner that avoids or eliminates excess pain and discomfort normally caused as a result of the microabraders or microneedles entering the epithelial layers beneath the stratum corneum. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is a microdevice with an array of microabraders or microneedles with a manipulating member.

Fabrication and morphological stability of aluminum nanostructures en route to nanopatterned sapphire. Biser, Jeffrey M.; Perkins, Jason T.; Li, Hongwei; Chan, Helen M.; Vinci, Richard P. Center for Optical Technologies and Center for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA. Advances in Science and Technology (Stafa-Zuerich, Switzerland) (2006), 45(11th International Ceramics Congress, 2006), 945-950. Publisher: Trans Tech Publications Ltd., CODEN: ASETE5 Journal written in English. AN 2007:364091 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: It has recently been demonstrated that it is possible to produce a pristine surface layer on a lapped sapphire substrate by depositing a thin film of aluminum and subjecting it to an appropriate thermal treatment. This process also shows promise for the fabrication of nanopatterned sapphire by pre-patterning the aluminum metal prior to thermal conversion to sapphire. We have explored two distinct patterning processes: a dual layer photoresist e-beam lithog. technique for fabricating arbitrarily shaped aluminum structures, and a novel, non-conventional mask-liftoff method involving nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide, useful for patterning very large scale arrays of sub-micron aluminum dots or posts. Our work is focused on refining the fabrication process and investigating the morphol. stability of such metal nanostructures during conversion to sapphire.

The effect of stationary ultraviolet excitation on the optical properties of electrochemically self-assembled semiconductor nanowires. Katkar, Rajesh A.; Tait, Gregory B. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. Journal of Applied Physics (2007), 101(5), 053508/1-053508/7. Publisher: American Institute of Physics, CODEN: JAPIAU ISSN: 0021-8979. Journal written in English. CAN 146:489589 AN 2007:342746 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: The optical behavior of electrochem. self-assembled nanowire arrays excited by stationary UV light is studied. The wires are fabricated by electrodepositing CdS, ZnO, and ZnSe in anodic porous alumina templates with 50, 25, and 10 nm diam. pores. The authors have developed a theor. model to calc. nanowire permittivity, refractive index, and absorption coeff. under such stationary excitation. This model is incorporated in an electromagnetic wave simulation to obtain the optical response of the array of wires. The behavior is also studied exptl. using a pump-probe excitation scheme in an optical interferometer. The authors report a strong nonmonotonic optical activity as a function of wire diam. in the nanowire arrays. This result implies a sharp increase in the optically pumped change in refractive index and permittivity in narrower nanowires.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nonlinear Nanopores in Alumina Films. Zakeri, Rashid; Watts, Clay; Wang, Haibo; Kohli, Punit. Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics, and Electrical Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA. Chemistry of Materials (2007), 19(8), 1954-1963. Publisher: American Chemical Society, CODEN: CMATEX ISSN: 0897-4756. Journal written in English. CAN 146:505631 AN 2007:334543 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: Controlled and convenient synthetic approaches for more complex-shaped nanotubes and nanowires of different materials are needed to further advance the field of nanoscience and nanotechnol. In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of nonlinear nanopores (such as curved and dendritic nanopores) contg. alumina films. We show that control over the orientation of nanopores can be accomplished by controlling the geometric shape of aluminum substrates on which nanoporous alumina is grown. The anodically grown alumina on square and rectangular aluminum substrates showed cracks at the sharp edges of the substrates but no cracks were obsd. in nanoporous alumina films grown on cylindrical substrates. Our electrostatic calcns. suggest that the elec. field intensity at sharp edges of the rectangular/square substrates is significantly larger than that at the flat faces of the substrates. This leads to a faster alumina growth rate and hence increased stresses at these edges. We also propose a simple model that predicts the shape and orientation of nonlinear nanopores grown on different geometric shaped substrates. Through the use of proposed nanoporous films as template, one can easily synthesize highly complex-shaped nanotubes and nanowires of different materials.

Nanoscale surface features formed on aluminum by dissolution processes. Houser, Jerrod; Hebert, Kurt R. Department of Chemical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. Proceedings - Electrochemical Society (2006), 2004-19(Pits and Pores III: Formation, Properties, and Significance for Advanced Materials), 23-33. Publisher: Electrochemical Society, CODEN: PESODO ISSN: 0161-6374. Journal written in English. AN 2007:288435 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: Submicron-scale cellular surface patterns are common to several aluminum dissoln. processes. The cells, which together form a mosaic covering the surface, consist of scalloped depressions bordered by ridges. The goal of this work was to understand the mechanism of pattern formation. A math. model was developed for steady-state dissoln. based on descriptions of ionic conduction in the oxide film and the kinetics of ion transfer processes at the film-soln. interface. The model geometry represents the oxide film on an individual cell. The model results were used to search parameter space for regions consistent with stable patterns. The present modeling results suggested a wider range of stable cell sizes for given dissoln. conditions, than that indicated by exptl. patterns. Also, it is shown that there must be an inhibition mechanism which suppresses rapid field-enhanced interface motion on nanoscale ridges.

Highly ordered nanoscale patterns on anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) surface. Sun, Z. H.; Xu, C. L.; Zhang, H. L. State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Peop. Rep. China. Diffusion and Defect Data--Solid State Data, Pt. B: Solid State Phenomena (2007), 121-123(Pt. 1, Nanoscience and Technology, Part 1), 445-448. Publisher: Trans Tech Publications Ltd., CODEN: DDBPE8 ISSN: 1012-0394. Journal written in English. AN 2007:268778 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: The surface morphol. of the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) prepd. with different surface coating has been studied by AFM and SEM. Under optimized condition, highly ordered stripe patterns have been obtained. These regular patterns, including random stripes and regular stripes, show strong dependence on the crystal orientation of the aluminum substrate. This method can be developed into a novel nanoscale fabrication technique.

WO2007023167A1

TRANSCORNEAL SYSTEM FOR DELIVERY OF A PHARMACEUTICAL AGENT

BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH | BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM PHARMA GMBH & CO. KG

3/1/2007

The invention relates to a transcorneal system for delivery of a pharmaceutical agent, made from a matrix material forming a baseplate (1), said baseplate (1) being connected to a number of projections (4) for penetration of the Stratum corneum of the skin, said projections (4) being made from the matrix material and comprising the agent.

WO2004101023A3

A METHOD FOR ALTERING INSULIN PHARMACOKINETICS

BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANY

3/1/2007

The present invention relates to methods for administration of insulin into the intradermal compartment of subject's skin, preferably to the dermal vasculature of the intradermal compartment. The methods of the present invention enhance the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of insulin delivery and effectively result in a superior clinical efficacy in the treatment and/or prevention of diabetes mellitus. The methods of the instant invention provide an improved glycemic control of both non-fasting (i.e., post-prandial) and fasting blood glucose levels and thus have an enhanced therapeutic efficacy in treatment, prevention and/or management of diabetes relative to traditional methods of insulin delivery, including subcutaneous insulin delivery.

US7182747B2

Solid solution perforator for drug delivery and other applications

TheraJect, Inc.

2/27/2007

A solid drug solution perforator (SSP) system and an associated drug reservoir are provided for delivering therapeutic, prophylactic and/or cosmetic compounds, for nutrient delivery and for drug targeting. For drug delivery, the SSP system includes an active drug ingredient and a matrix of perforator material that biodegrades or dissolves quickly upon contact with a patient's body. The SSP system provides a skin barrier perforator and a controller for prompt initiation and cut-off of drug delivery. In a preferred method of transdermal drug delivery, an SSP system containing a selected drug penetrates into an epidermis or dermis, and the drug is promptly released from the (dissolving) SSP system perforator. An additional drug is optionally delivered from a patch reservoir through skin pores created by insertion of the perforator. Formulation and fabrication procedures for the SSP and associated reservoir are also provided. An SSP system can be fabricated with variety of shapes and dimensions.

US7169251B2

Method of forming nanofluidic channels

The Regents of the University of Michigan

1/30/2007

A method of forming nanofluidic enclosed channels includes providing a first substrate having a layer of a first material disposed thereon. A plurality of nanoscale slots is formed along a second substrate using nanolithography, etching, or other disclosed techniques. The first substrate is then bonded to the second substrate such that the layer of the first material on the first substrate is adjacent the plurality of slots on the second substrate to define a plurality of enclosed nanofluidic channels therethrough.

US7169117B2

Integrated lance and strip for analyte measurement

Lifescan, Inc.

1/30/2007

US7166086B2

Substance delivery via a rotating microabrading surface

Becton, Dickinson and Company

1/23/2007

A method and device for the delivery of a substance into skin via the rotational movement of a microabrader device reduces the effects of operator variability. The method includes applying a substance to an area of a patient's skin through the rotational movement of microprotrusions which may be imparted by a spring device present in the microabrader device or the motion of the operator through the handle of the microabrader device. The device may further include system and methods for monitoring pressure of the device against the skin and thereby promote consistency between applications and control of penetration depth. The delivered substance may be placed on the microprotrusions and a reconstituting liquid included in the microabrader device.

WO2007001003A1

BIOSENSOR

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1/4/2007

A (needle integrating) biosensor of high precision that ensures easy assembly, excelling in the reproducibility of (needle integrating) biosensor produced. There is provided a biosensor produced by providing two insulating substrates linked to each other through a junction and, superimposed on one or both thereof, an electrode and a spacer and folding back the two insulating substrates along the junction so as to position the electrode and spacer (and a puncture needle for puncturing the skin of a test subject to sample the body fluid) between the insulating substrates. This (needle integrating) biosensor, as it is easily produced by folding back the two insulating substrates linked to each other through a junction, realizes easy production avoiding cumbersome steps, such as accurately superimposing of individual biosensor members. Moreover, the produced (needle integrating) biosensor attains advantageous effects inclusive of high precision and high reproducibility.

DE10305831B4

Diagnosegerдt

Siemens AG

1/4/2007

Diagnosegerдt mit • einem Mikronadelfeld (3), • einer dieses tragenden Haltevorrichtung (2), • einer mit dem Mikronadelfeld (3) verbundenen Datenaufnahmevorrichtung (6), • einer mit dieser verbundenen Datenauswertevorrichtung (7), • einer mit dieser verbundenen Anzeigevorrichtung (8) an der Haltevorrichtung (2), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass als Haltevorrichtung (2) ein Handschuh vorgesehen ist.

WO2006137549A1

BIOSENSOR

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.

12/28/2006

An excellent biosensor capable of supplying sample liquid accurately and easily. The biosensor has a capillary (7) capable of collecting the sample liquid and measures a specific substance in the sample liquid. The biosensor has, other than an air hole (9), at least two supply openings that are a test substance supply opening (13) and an auxiliary test substance supply opening (14). This enables a test substance to be supplied from either supply opening. When the test substance supply opening (13) is closed by a finger tip to stop the supply of the sample liquid, the test substance can be quickly supplied from the other opening, which is the auxiliary test substance supply opening (14).

WO2006132791A1

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A DISPOSABLE DIAGNOSTIC METER

HOME DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

12/14/2006

A method for manufacturing a diagnostic testing system is provided. Various methods are described for calibrating the test system to work with selected test media compatible with the calibration to provide accurate results. The methods eliminate the need for any kind of user-coding. Packaging only compatible selected diagnostic test media with the calibrated meter can include at least one container for enclosing the diagnostic test media, wherein the container can be physically coupled to the diagnostic meter.

WO2006132602A1

POLYMERIC MICRONEEDLE ARRAY AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OF THE SAME

NANYANG POLYTECHNIC

12/14/2006

The present invention provides a polymeric microneedle array (51), and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the polymeric microneedle array (51). The apparatus comprises a forming mould (10) having a surrounding wall (11) so as to forming a cavity and a bottom integrated with one end of the surrounding wall (11), wherein the bottom has an array of openings; a top mould (20) having an array of apertures that are aligned with the openings in the forming mould; and a holding plate (30) having and an array of micro pins (32) that are integrated onto the plate (30) so that the micro pins (32) can be moved up or down with the plate (30). The method comprises the steps of providing polymeric materials to the bottom of the cavity of the forming mould; closing the top mould (20) and the forming mould; moving down the micro pins (32); curing the molten polymeric materials; withdrawing the top mould (20); retracting the pins (32); and obtaining the polymeric microneedle array (51). The present invention further pro

JP2006334420A

MEDICAL NEEDLE AND MEDICAL DEVICE

LIGHTNIX INC

12/14/2006

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical needle capable of minimizing pain to a patient and minimizing damage to the pierced portion of the patient, and to provide a medical device.SOLUTION: A medical needle extending in a specified direction, wherein the cross sectional area of a vertical cross section cut by a plane perpendicular to the specified direction is regularly increased or decreased depending on a distance from the tip part thereof, has a plurality of maximum points where the cross sectional area of the vertical cross section is maximized and a plurality of minimum points where the cross sectional area of the vertical cross section is minimized, and the cross sectional area has a trapezoidal shape in a part between the maximum point nearest the tip part and the maximum point nearest the rear end.COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPITCOPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

EP1360934B1

Devices and methods for accessing and analyzing physiological fluid

LifeScan, Inc.

12/6/2006

Systems, devices and methods for determining the concentration of physiological fluid analytes are provided. The subject systems have a plurality of biosensor devices present on a disposable cartridge. Each biosensor device includes a biosensor and a skin penetration means. In practicing the subject methods, a movement means of the device is used to move each biosensor device in a first direction that provides for penetration of the skin-piercing means into a skin layer followed by movement of the biosensor in a second direction that provides for removal of the skin-piercing means from the skin layer, where this movement profile provides for physiological fluid access and analyte concentration determination by the analyte sensor means. The subject systems, devices and methods for using the same find use in determining the concentration of a variety of different physiological fluid analytes, and are particularly suited for use in detection of physiological fluid glucose concentration.

Ionic Gradients at an Electrode above the Equilibrium Limit Current. 2. Transition to Convection. Van Tassel, Jonathan J.; Randall, Clive A. Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA. Journal of Physical Chemistry C (2007), 111(8), 3349-3357. Publisher: American Chemical Society, CODEN: JPCCCK ISSN: 1932-7447. Journal written in English. CAN 146:369596 AN 2007:150168 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: When one member of a simple binary electrolyte is consumed at an electrode, an ion depleted layer will form at that electrode. Under const. current conditions this layer will have a net electrostatic charge opposite that of the electrode. This leads to an attractive electrostatic body force between the soln. in the depletion layer and the electrode which increases with proximity to the electrode. There are three primary processes that can occur in this soln.: elec. field relaxation, convective motion, and ionic diffusion/migration. By ranking these processes according to the speed with which their effects propagate through the soln., we show that this depletion layer is highly unstable and will transition to convective motion on the micrometer scale, generally before any voltage artifact is generated. A Rayleigh no. for elec. forced convection is calcd. and shown to rise by 3 orders of magnitude at precisely the time convection must begin. In this type of system, elec. driven convection will begin at the depletion electrode and grow out into the bulk of the soln. following a moving ion depletion gradient layer. This is demonstrated by DC conduction in an ethanol soln. contg. added HCl.

An environment-friendly electrochemical detachment method for porous anodic alumina. Chen, Wei; Wu, Jian-Shuang; Yuan, Jin-Hua; Xia, Xing-Hua; Lin, Xin-Hua. Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Peop. Rep. China. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry (2007), 600(2), 257-264. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: JECHES Journal written in English. CAN 146:367505 AN 2007:97527 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: This paper describes an improved 1-step voltage pulse detachment method by using HClO4 and EtOH mixt. as detaching soln. for the prepn. of through-hole porous anodic alumina (PAA) membranes. The detachment of PAA from Al substrate and the dissoln. of the barrier layer can be completed simultaneously in the detachment soln. by applying a pulse voltage in situ after the anodization process. The influence of voltage pulse height and nature of the detachment soln. on the efficiency of detachment were systematically studied. The present procedure is more environmental friendly and efficient as compared to the conventional electrochem. detachment methods and is promising for the prepn. of freestanding PAA films with through-hole morphol. which are important for nanomaterials synthesis and nanoscale sepn.

Normal and inverse spin-valve effect in organic semiconductor nanowires and the background monotonic magnetoresistance. Pramanik, Sandipan; Bandyopadhyay, Supriyo; Garre, Kalyan; Cahay, Marc. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (2006), 74(23), 235329/1-235329/7. Publisher: American Physical Society, CODEN: PRBMDO ISSN: 1098-0121. Journal written in English. CAN 146:263242 AN 2007:84995 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: We have obsd. both peaks and troughs in the magnetoresistance of org. nanowires consisting of three layers: Co, 8-hydroxy-quinolinolato Al (Alq3), and Ni. They always occur between the coercive fields of the ferromagnetic layers, and we attribute them to the normal and inverse spin-valve effect. The latter is caused by resonant tunneling through localized impurity states in the org. material. Peaks are always found to be accompanied by a pos. monotonic background magnetoresistance, while troughs are accompanied by a neg. monotonic background magnetoresistance. This curious correlation suggests that the background magnetoresistance, whose origin has hitherto remained unexplained, is probably caused by the recently proposed phenomenon of magnetic-field-induced enhancement of spin-flip scattering in the presence of spin-orbit interaction [Cahay and Bandyopadhyay (2004)].

Nanopore formation dynamics during aluminum anodization. Sheintuch, Moshe; Smagina, Yelena. Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion, Haifa, Israel. Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (2007), 226(1), 95-105. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: PDNPDT ISSN: 0167-2789. Journal written in English. AN 2007:46577 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: This paper predicts the evolution of nanopores during anodic oxidn. of aluminum. The theory is based on approx. nonlinear evolution equations of the interfaces, which reproduce all the obsd. patterns, and using them for stability anal. The pore structure in the early stages is described by the Damped Kuramoto-Sivashinsky (DKS) equation, which predicts hexagonal patterns with points and line defects, in agreement with exptl. observations of the evolving pores. This is the first work to follow pore dynamics. Comparison with asymptotic const.-thickness and -curvature solns. is conducted.

Raman scattering studies of the low-frequency vibrational modes of bacteriophage M13 in water-observation of an axial torsion mode. Tsen, K. T.; Dykeman, Eric C.; Sankey, Otto F.; Tsen, Shaw-Wei D.; Lin, Nien-Tsung; Kiang, Juliann G. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA. Nanotechnology (2006), 17(21), 5474-5479. Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing, CODEN: NNOTER ISSN: 0957-4484. Journal written in English. CAN 146:353937 AN 2007:25971 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: Low-wavenumber (20 cm-1) acoustic vibrations of the M13 phage have been studied using Raman spectroscopy. The dominant acoustic vibrational mode has been found to be at 8.5 cm-1. The exptl. results are compared with theor. calcns. based on an elastic continuum model and appropriate Raman selection rules derived from a bond polarizability model. The obsd. Raman mode has been shown to belong to one of the Raman-active axial torsion modes of the M13 phage protein coat. It is expected that the detection and characterization of this low-frequency vibrational mode can be used for applications in nanotechnol. such as for monitoring the process of virus functionalization and self-assembly.

A Study of Anodization Process during Pore Formation in Nanoporous Alumina Templates. Wu, Z.; Richter, C.; Menon, L. Dep. Phys., Northeastern Univ., Boston, MA, USA. Journal of the Electrochemical Society (2007), 154(1), E8-E12. Publisher: Electrochemical Society, CODEN: JESOAN ISSN: 0013-4651. Journal written in English. CAN 146:260557 AN 2007:12800 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: The authors have carried out a systematic study of the anodization procedure to det. the exact chem. mechanism of the dissoln. process responsible for pore formation in nanoporous alumina templates. The authors measured the anodization current as a function of time and compared it with the thickness of porous Al oxide layer obtained from cross-section SEM images. From this, the authors calcd. the no. of moles of electrons generated per mol of porous alumina grown. This anal. is consistent with a reaction mechanism in which Al is converted to Al oxide in addn. with the direct transfer of Al ions across the thin barrier Al oxide into the electrolyte. Hence, exptl. evidence is reported that indicate that the dissoln. process obsd. is that of Al3+ ions migrating across the barrier layer and dissolving into the soln. Contrary to the suggestion of some authors, these expts. indicate that at most a negligible amt. of oxide dissolves during the anodization of Al.

Non-lithographic nano-arrays fabricated using porous alumina. Menon, Latika. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA. Editor(s): Balandin, Alexander A.; Wang, Kang L. Handbook of Semiconductor Nanostructures and Nanodevices (2006), 2 437-455. Publisher: American Scientific Publishers, Stevenson Ranch, Calif CODEN: 69ISSD Conference; General Review written in English. CAN 147:106022 AN 2006:1336255 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: A review, with 66 refs., discussing several new methods based on pore pattern transfer method that have been developed which are very useful in prepg. novel semiconductor nanostructures for applications in high performance nano and optoelectronic devices.

WO2006124639A1

PERMEABILIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES

CORIUM INTERNATIONAL, INC.

11/23/2006

In one embodiment of the invention, electrodes are brought into the vicinity of a biological membrane such as human skin. Through those electrodes, a current is driven. As a result of that current, at one electrode there occurs a reaction in which the pH of the water or other fluid in a small area of the membrane is lowered or raised. The lowered or raised pH causes substances present in the membrane to denature or decompose, resulting in the formation of a channel in the membrane. In another embodiment of the invention, a high volatility fluid is applied to a membrane from the outside. A small area of the membrane is heated. The high volatility fluid expands and then vaporizes. As a result of the expansion and vaporization of the fluid, a channel is created in the membrane.

US20060264806A1

Method and apparatus for skin absorption enhancement and transdermal drug delivery

MATTIOLI ENGINEERING LTD.

11/23/2006

WO2005101994A3

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SENSOR GUARD FOR DATA MONITORING AND DETECTION SYSTEMS

THERASENSE, INC.

11/16/2006

Method and apparatus for providing sensor guard for data monitoring and detection system having a sensor for detecting one or more glucose levels, the sensor including a work electrode disposed on a base material, a reference electrode disposed on the base material, and a guard electrode disposed on the base material, where the guard electrode is maintained substantially at equipotential to the work electrode, and a transmitter operatively coupled to the work electrode and the reference electrode of the sensor for receiving said detected glucose levels, where the transmitter is further configured to transmit a respective signal corresponding to each of the detected glucose levels using a data transmission protocol including wireless data transmission protocols, to a receiver which is configured to receive the transmitted signals corresponding to said detected glucose levels is provided. The method and apparatus may also include insulin administration unit such as an insulin pump configured to be in data commu

US20060254446A1

Imprint lithography

ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.

11/16/2006

US7132054B1

Method to fabricate hollow microneedle arrays

Sandia Corporation

11/7/2006

An inexpensive and rapid method for fabricating arrays of hollow microneedles uses a photoetchable glass. Furthermore, the glass hollow microneedle array can be used to form a negative mold for replicating microneedles in biocompatible polymers or metals. These microneedle arrays can be used to extract fluids from plants or animals. Glucose transport through these hollow microneedles arrays has been found to be orders of magnitude more rapid than natural diffusion.

US7131987B2

Microstructures and method for treating and conditioning skin which cause less irritation during exfoliation

Corium International, Inc.

11/7/2006

An improved method is provided to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. For the microstructure used in the improved method, the dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate and retain those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In another embodiment of the improved method, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of skin cells accumulated using the improved method represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus associated with the improved method. Some of the microelement shapes are purposefully designed with distal ends that exhibit sharp edges rather than shar

WO2006116605A2

METHOD FOR FORMING HOLLOW OUT-OF-PLANE MICRONEEDLES AND DEVICES FORMED THEREBY

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

11/2/2006

A method and apparatus for forming microneedles and other microstructures using hardenable materials and useful for substance monitoring and/or drug delivery.

WO2006116242A2

MICRONEEDLE WITH GLUCOSE SENSOR AND METHOD THEREOF

INFOTONICS TECHNOLOGY CENTER, INC.

11/2/2006

US7130696B2

Percutaneous electrode array

Biowave Corporation

10/31/2006

A method of producing percutaneous electrode array is disclosed for applying therapeutic electrical energy to a treatment site in the body of a patient. The array comprises a plurality of electrode microstructures which are inserted into the epidermis, thereby overcoming the inherent electrical impedance of the outer skin layers and obviating the need to prepare the skin surface prior to an electro-therapy treatment. The array preferably includes an adhesion layer to help keep the electrode microstructures inserted into the epidermis during the duration of the therapeutic treatment, and temperature and condition monitoring devices to ensure proper treatment and enhance patient safety.

US7127284B2

Electroporation microneedle and methods for its use

Mercator MedSystems, Inc.

10/24/2006

Electroporation of cells in target tissues is performed using microneedles having integral electrode structures. In a first embodiment, a pair of electrode structures are disposed on opposite sides of a substance delivery opening on a needle or other tissue-penetrating shaft. In a second embodiment, a first electrode structure is disposed on the needle and a second electrode structure is disposed on an attached base. The electrode structures are spaced closely together and relatively low voltages are applied to achieve electroporation-enhanced substance delivery.

WO2006105968A1

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE EXTRACTION OF A BODY FLUID

F. HOFFMANN LA ROCHE AG | ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH

10/12/2006

The invention relates to a method and a device for the extraction of a body fluid, whereby a piercing element (10) is inserted, by way of an advance movement (54), through the skin into a body part (14) and the body fluid is received via a capillary structure (18) of the piercing element (10). The invention is characterized by detecting any contact of the piercing element (10) with body fluid after the advance movement (54) and during a collection phase (62) inside the body part (14).

EP1709906A1

Method and device for blood sampling

F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG | Roche Diagnostics GmbH

10/11/2006

Blood sampling comprises pricking a pricking element in forward movements through the skin in body part, receiving the blood over the capillary structure of the element and detecting the blood contact of the element during collecting phase The pricking element (10): is withdrawn with uniform speed after the forward movement in a back pulling movement from the deepest pricking position into a back pulling position by smaller pricking depth; is withdrawn in the area of stratum corneums; and is moved backward during the collecting phase around 2-0.1 mm. The reception of the blood is controlled over the detection of the blood fluid contact, and a given collecting duration is awaited for the reception of the blood during the detection of the blood contact. The blood fluid contact is detected: at a renewed pricking in the point of reversal for the back pulling movement; in the back pulling position; in the area of the stratum corneums; by capacitive or inductive or resistive measuring parameters, capillary structur

WO2006065705A3

SELF-CONTAINED TEST SENSOR

BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC

10/5/2006

A test strip to assist in determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a base, at least one tab and a break line. The base includes a capillary channel and a test element. The capillary channel is in fluid communication with the test element. The test element is adapted to receive the fluid sample. The at least one tab is removably attached to the base. The capillary channel extends from the base into a portion of the tab. The break line intersects the capillary channel in which an inlet to the capillary channel is exposed along the break line when the tab is separated from the base.

US7115108B2

Method and device for intradermally delivering a substance

Becton, Dickinson and Company

10/3/2006

A device for delivering a substance into the skin of a patient includes a body and a skin penetrating device having at least one skin penetrating member, such as a microneedle. The body includes an internal cavity and a device for indicating the delivery of a sufficient amount of the substance to the patient and for producing a dispensing pressure to dispense and deliver the substance from the cavity. The indicating device is visible from the exterior of the delivery device. In some embodiments, the indicating device is an elastic expandable diaphragm which, when the cavity is filled with a substance, creates the dispensing pressure.

WO2006062974A3

METHOD OF MOLDING A MICRONEEDLE

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

9/28/2006

A method of molding a microneedle using a mold apparatus that comprises a mold insert (210) having the negative image of at least one microneedle (12), a compression core (240), and a mold housing configured to allow a reciprocal motion between the mold insert and the compression core. The mold apparatus has an open position and a closed position. The mold apparatus is placed in the closed position and polymeric material is injected into the closed mold apparatus. The injected polymeric material is compressed between the mold insert and the compression core by a reciprocal motion between the compression core and the mold insert. Also, molding methods wherein the mold apparatus has sidewalls having an injection gate (270). Also, molding methods comprising a heated mold insert. Also, molding methods comprising the application of high frequency acoustic energy, such as ultrasonic energy, to the mold apparatus.

US20060217654A1

Iontophoresis device

Transcutaneous Technologies Inc.

9/28/2006

US7108681B2

Microstructures for delivering a composition cutaneously to skin

Corium International, Inc.

9/19/2006

An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to deliver a composition, preferably a medical or pharmaceutical composition or active, through the stratum corneum of skin, without introducing bleeding or damage to tissue, and absent pain or other trauma. The dimensions and shapes of the microelements are controlled so as to control the penetration depth into the skin. The microelements can be hollow" such that passageways are created therethrough to allow the composition to flow from a chamber

through the microelements

and into the skin. Alternatively

the microelements can be "solid

and the composition is applied directly to the skin just before or just after the microelements are applied to the skin surface to create the openings in the stratum corneum.

US7105103B2

System and method for the manufacture of surgical blades

Becton, Dickinson and Company

9/12/2006

A method for manufacturing surgical blades from either a crystalline or poly-crystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer, is disclosed. The method includes preparing the crystalline or poly-crystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. The methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, and a hot forge press. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or poly-crystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single or double bevel blades. Nearly any angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

US20060194768A1

Thiazole and thiadiazole inhibitors of tyrosine phosphatases

8/31/2006

EP1266608B1

Biological fluid sampling and analyte measurement device

LifeScan, Inc.

8/23/2006

A device for sampling a biological fluid and measuring a target analyte within the biological fluid is provided. The device has at least one micro-piercing member used to penetrate the skin to a selected depth and access biological fluid, a sampling means and a measuring means. The sampling means comprises a fluid transfer medium, such as a hydrophilic porous material, by which sampled biological fluid is transferred from the micro-piercing member to the measuring means. The measuring means includes an electrochemical cell having at least one porous electrode and, typically, a reagent material, where the electrochemical cell is configured so as to make an electrochemical measurement of a target analyte in accessed biological fluid present therein. Methods of sampling biological fluids within the skin and measuring the sampled fluids are also provided, as well as kits comprising one or more of the inventive devices.

WO2006021361A3

MICROFLUID SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF

F. HOFFMANN LA ROCHE AG | ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH

8/17/2006

The invention relates to a microfluid system, comprising a support body (12), provided with a puncture device (14) and a semi-open microchannel (16), arranged thereon, for the capillary transport of a sample fluid from a taking position to a target position (22,24). According to the invention, a higher aspect ratio may be achieved, whereby the support body (12) is coated with an applied layer (18) which laterally defines the microchannel (16), at least in the upper region.

US20060174592A1

Lancet protective cap

8/10/2006

US7083580B2

Method and apparatus for skin absorption enhancement and transdermal drug delivery

Mattioli Engineering Ltd.

8/1/2006

US20060163215A1

Process for producing pad based for transdermal drug administration, pad base for transdermal drug administration and needle

7/27/2006

According to a conventional MicroPatch method, a drug is administrated by stinging the skin with a solid-core needle, and broadening a gap between the needle and the skin by vibration with a vibrator. Consequently, the object of the present invention is to provide a pad base for endermism capable of administrating a drug in the skin without vibration, and to provide a production process capable of easily obtaining the pad base. One side end of the thin metal wire is immersed in a solution containing a synthetic resin raw material in a lengthwise direction, the synthetic resin raw material solution adheres to a periphery of the thin metal wire, the synthetic resin raw material solution is hardened and then the thin metal wire is pulled out. There is obtained the minute needle 1 which is installed upright on the skin side of a patch base 2, wherein the minute needle is a hollow tubular body and the outer wall thereof is thickened toward the bottom. A drug in the hollow portion 3 of the minute needle 1 is inject

EP1675539A2

PRETREATMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY

ALZA Corporation

7/5/2006

A drug delivery system for delivering a biologically active agent through the skin of a patient comprises (i) a pretreatment patch adapted to be placed on the patient's skin, the pretreatment patch having a backing membrane and a microprojection array, the microprojection array being adhered to the backing membrane, the microprojection array including a plurality of microprojections adapted to pierce the stratum corneum of the patient, the pretreatment patch including a skin template that remains on the patient's skin after the pretreatment patch is applied to and removed from the patient's skin, and (ii) a gel patch having a top and bottom surface, the gel patch including a reservoir containing a hydrogel formulation, the gel patch having a skin contact area in the range of approximately 0.5 -30 CM2.

US7066922B2

Transdermal transport device with suction

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

6/27/2006

A transdermal transport device includes a reservoir for holding a formulation of an active principle, and one or more needles. Each needle has a bore through which the formulation is transported between the reservoir and a biological body, and has an end portion that is substantially aligned in a plane parallel to a surface of the biological body when the device is placed on the surface. The device also includes a vacuum generator which creates a suction to draw a portion of the surface beyond the plane of the end portions to enable the end portions to penetrate the portion of the surface as the needles are translated along an axis that is substantially parallel to the plane.

WO2006065705A2

SELF-CONTAINED TEST SENSOR

BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC

6/22/2006

EP1671613A1

Transunguale Vorrichtung

L'ORЙAL

6/21/2006

Transungual composition, useful to e.g. strengthen the nails, comprises active agent of non-fructifying extract, non-photosynthetic filamentous bacterium and a dialkylsulfone Transungual composition (A) comprises an active agent of an extract of non-fructifying, non-photosynthetic filamentous bacterium and/or a dialkylsulfone.

WO2006062974A2

METHOD OF MOLDING A MICRONEEDLE

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

6/15/2006

A method of molding a microneedle using a mold apparatus that comprises a mold insert having the negative image of at least one microneedle, a compression core, and a mold housing configured to allow a reciprocal motion between the mold insert and the compression core. The mold apparatus has an open position and a closed position. The mold apparatus is placed in the closed position and polymeric material is injected into the closed mold apparatus. The injected polymeric material is compressed between the mold insert and the compression core by a reciprocal motion between the compression core and the mold insert. Also, molding methods wherein the mold apparatus has sidewalls having an injection gate. Also, molding methods comprising a heated mold insert. Also, molding methods comprising the application of high frequency acoustic energy, such as ultrasonic energy, to the mold apparatus.

Low-voltage organic transistors on a polymer substrate with an aluminum foil gate fabricated by a laminating and electropolishing process. Yang, Chanwoo; Shin, Kwonwoo; Yang, Sang Yoon; Jeon, Hayoung; Choi, Danbi; Chung, Dae Sung; Park, Chan Eon. Polymer Research Institute, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, S. Korea. Applied Physics Letters (2006), 89(15), 153508/1-153508/3. Publisher: American Institute of Physics, CODEN: APPLAB ISSN: 0003-6951. Journal written in English. CAN 146:53061 AN 2006:1110336 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: The authors report flexible and low-voltage pentacene org. field-effect transistors (OFETs) constructed with an Al foil gate electrode, which was fabricated by the simple and low-cost roll-to-roll lamination process. Electropolishing the surface of laminated Al foil and spin coating it with an addnl. thin polymer film resulted in a gate dielec. surface with a root-mean-square roughness of about 0.85 nm. These pentacene OFETs with a poly(-methylstyrene)/anodized Al2O3 dual-layered gate dielec. exhibit a mobility of 0.52 cm2/V s, an on-off ratio of 105, a subthreshold swing of 317 mV/decade, and little hysteresis when operating at -5 V.

Observation of the low frequency vibrational modes of bacteriophage M13 in water by Raman spectroscopy. Tsen, K. T.; Dykeman, Eric C.; Sankey, Otto F.; Lin, Nien-Tsung; Tsen, Shaw-Wei D.; Kiang, Juliann G. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA. Virology Journal (2006), 3 No pp. given. Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd., CODEN: VJIOA4 ISSN: 1743-422X. http://www.virologyj.com/content/pdf/1743-422X-3-79.pdf Journal; Online Computer File written in English. CAN 146:61156 AN 2006:1091726 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: Recently, a technique which departs radically from conventional approaches has been proposed. This novel technique utilizes biol. objects such as viruses as nano-templates for the fabrication of nanostructure elements. For example, rod-shaped viruses such as the M13 phage and tobacco mosaic virus have been successfully used as biol. templates for the synthesis of semiconductor and metallic nanowires. Low wave no. ( 20cm-1) acoustic vibrations of the M13 phage have been studied using Raman spectroscopy. The exptl. results are compared with theor. calcns. based on an elastic continuum model and appropriate Raman selection rules derived from a bond polarizability model. The obsd. Raman mode has been shown to belong to one of the Raman-active axial torsion modes of the M13 phage protein coat. It is expected that the detection and characterization of this low frequency vibrational mode can be used for applications in nanotechnol. such as for monitoring the process of virus functionalization and self-assembly. For example, the differences in Raman spectra can be used to monitor the coating of virus with some other materials and nano-assembly process, such as attaching a carbon nanotube or quantum dots.

Surface Morphologies of Electrochemically Prepared Materials Simulated by Reaction-diffusion Models. Boscheto, Emerson Paulinho; Lopes, Mauro Chierici. Departamento de Quimica, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, Guarapuava, Brazil. Journal of Computer-Aided Materials Design (2006), 12(2-3), 131-139. Publisher: Springer, CODEN: JCODES ISSN: 0928-1045. Journal written in English. CAN 146:130292 AN 2006:906004 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: The emergence of spatial patterns in electrochem. formed materials opens the possibility to exploit nonlinear behavior to devise a technique for electrochem. prepn. of materials with unique properties arising from their spatial organization. The authors discuss the mechanism of Turing pattern formation on the electrode surface. The authors propose a modification of the Brusselator model, which includes an inhomogeneous influx of the autocatalytic specie. Several kinds of patterns were simulated.

Formation of self-organized nanoscale porous structures in anodic aluminum oxide. Singh, G. K.; Golovin, A. A.; Aranson, I. S. Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA. Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (2006), 73(20), 205422/1-205422/12. Publisher: American Physical Society, CODEN: PRBMDO ISSN: 1098-0121. Journal written in English. CAN 145:218683 AN 2006:583010 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2007 ACS on SciFinder (R))

Abstract: A theory of the spontaneous formation of nanoscale porous structures in Al oxide films growing during Al anodization is presented. The main elements of this theory are the Butler-Volmer relation describing the exponential dependence of the current on the overpotential and the dependence of the activation energies of the oxide-electrolyte interfacial reactions on the Laplace pressure and the elastic stress in the oxide layer. Two cases are considered, distinguished by whether the elastic stress dependence is significant or not. In the case when the effect of elastic stress is negligible, a linear stability anal. predicts a long-wave instability resulting from the field-assisted dissoln. reaction; its competition with the stabilizing effect of the Laplace pressure due to the surface energy provides the wavelength selection mechanism. A weakly nonlinear anal. near the instability threshold reveals that the nonlinear dynamics of the interface perturbations is governed by the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation. The spatiotemporally chaotic solns. of this equation can explain the formation of spatially irregular pore arrays that are obsd. in expts. In the case when the effect of elastic stress in the oxide layer is significant the instability can transform from the long-wave type to the short-wave type. A weakly nonlinear anal. of the short-wave instability shows that it leads to the growth of spatially regular, hexagonally ordered pore arrays, as obsd. exptl.

WO2006062848A1

MEDICAL DEVICE

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

6/15/2006

A medical device (20) is provided that is suitable for use in the delivery of active component into or through the skin. The medical device comprises: an extension member (22) having a first major surface (24) and a second major surface (26), the first major surface comprising a first portion and a second portion; an array retaining member (28) extending from the first portion of the first major surface of the extension member, the array retaining member comprising an array surface (30) having at least one microneedle (32) extending from the array surface; and pressure sensitive adhesive (34) disposed on the second portion of the first major surface of the extension member to facilitate the adhesive attachment of the device to mammalian skin when the at least one microneedle is inserted through the stratum corneum.

WO2006060106A1

TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE

HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY L.P.

6/8/2006

A transdermal drug delivery device (100, 100’) includes a cassette (104) and a lid (106) that is attachable to the cassette (104). The cassette (104) includes a first reservoir (110) for containing a drug (102) and microneedles (116). At least one of the microneedles (116) is in fluid communication with the first reservoir (110). The lid (104) includes a power source (114, 144) and an electronic device (138) configured to receive electrical energy generated from the power source (114, 144). The drug delivery device (100, 100’) also includes a logic device (136) configured to selectively control delivery of the electrical energy to the electronic device (138), whereby delivery of the electrical energy causes the electronic device (138) to deliver the drug (102) contained in the first reservoir (110).

US7053210B2

Efficient synthesis of pyropheophorbide a and its derivatives

Health Research, Inc.

5/30/2006

A process for the preparation of pyropheophorbide a and its derivatives, including 3-devinyl-3-(1'-hexyloxy)ethyl-pyropheophorbide-a, otherwise known as HPPH, is provided. The process involves treating chlorin e6, in the form of its trimethyl ester, with a base, followed by heating to give pyropheophorbide a, which is converted to HPPH by treatment with acid, followed by hexyl alcohol under basic conditions.

US7052268B2

Method and apparatus for manufacturing a device

Becton, Dickinson and Company

5/30/2006

A device, preferably a micro-device, is molded from a plastic material by injection molding, compression molding or embossing. A microabrader can be molded having microneedles for abrading the stratum corneum of the skin to form an abraded site in the tissue for enhancing drug delivery. The micro-device is molded using a mold assembly having a silicon molding surface. The silicon molding surface can include a recess corresponding to the desired shape and length of the microneedles. The silicon molding surface enables micron and submicron size features to be molded from polymeric materials without the polymeric material adhering to the mold surface. Micro-devices having molded features having micron and submicron dimensions can be rapidly produced without the use of a release agent.

US7051495B2

Method of packaging integrated biosensors

Lifescan Scotland Limited

5/30/2006

A method of loading medical devices into medical device packages utilizing an apparatus including a pusher plate, a retaining member, a transfer member and a package support member, the retaining member and the transfer member each includes a plurality of grooves for receiving and retaining the medical devices and the package support member includes a plurality of recesses for receiving and retaining the medical device packages, wherein the medical device packages are loaded into the package support member recesses, the medical devices are loaded into the retaining member grooves, every other medical devices are transferred from the retaining member to the transfer member by the pusher plate, the transfer member is urged into alignment with the package support member, the pusher plate inserts the medical devices in the transfer member into the packages in the package support member and the packages are removed from the apparatus for further processing.

US7051426B2

Method making a cutting disk into of a substrate

Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P.

5/30/2006

The described embodiments relate to methods and systems of forming slots in a substrate. One exemplary embodiment forms a feature into a substrate having a first substrate surface and a second substrate surface, and moves a sand drill nozzle along the substrate to remove substrate material sufficient to form, in combination with said forming, a slot through the substrate.

US7048723B1

Surface micromachined microneedles

The University of Utah Research Foundation

5/23/2006

Surface micro-machined micro-needles (32) are formed as single needles (32) or in two-dimensional or three-dimensional micro-needle arrays (30). The micro-needles (32) are fabricated on a substrate (12) which can remain attached to the micro-needles (32) or can be subsequently removed. The two-dimensional or three-dimensional micro-needle arrays (30) can have cross-coupling flow channels (36) which allow for pressure equalization, and balance of fluid flow within the micro-needle arrays (30). Each of the micro-needles (32) has a micro-channel (36) therethrough that provides communication between at least one input port (37) at a proximal end of the micro-needles (32), and at least on output port (39) at an opposite distal end.

WO2006050810A1

SAMPLING SYSTEM FOR LIQUID SAMPLES

F. HOFFMANN LA ROCHE AG | ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH

5/18/2006

The invention relates to a sampling system for liquid samples, comprising a support (12), a puncture element (14), arranged on the above and a semi-open channel (16), for the capillary transport of the liquid sample from the puncture element (14) to a collection point (18) on the support (12). According to the invention, a housing structure (20), for excess liquid sample escaping laterally from the channel (16), is provided.

EP1413923A3

Nano-imprinting stamp

Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P.

5/17/2006

A micro-casted silicon carbide nano-imprinting stamp 10 and method of making a micro-casted silicon carbide nano-imprinting stamp 10 are disclosed. A micro-casting technique is used to form a foundation layer 11 and a plurality of nano-sized features 12 connected with the foundation layer 11. The foundation layer 11 and the nano-sized features 12 are unitary whole that is made entirely from a material comprising silicon carbide (SiC) which is harder than silicon (Si) alone. As a result, the micro-casted silicon carbide nano-imprinting stamp 10 has a longer service lifetime because it can endure several imprinting cycles without wearing out or breaking. The longer service lifetime makes the micro-casted silicon carbide nano-imprinting stamp 10 economically feasible to manufacture as the manufacturing cost can be recouped over the service lifetime.

US7047070B2

Valved intradermal delivery device and method of intradermally delivering a substance to a patient

Becton, Dickinson and Company

5/16/2006

An intradermal delivery device for delivery a substance into the skin of a patient has a fluid chamber for containing the substance, at least one micro skin penetrating member, and a valve controlling the flow of the substance from the fluid chamber to the micro skin penetrating member. An adhesive releasably attaches the device to the skin of the patient, the fluid chamber can be sized to hold a unit dose of the substance, and, in some embodiments, the fluid chamber can be releasably coupled to a housing of the device.

US7045069B2

Microfabrication method based on metal matrix composite technology

5/16/2006

A method of fabricating microstructural components, microparts assemblies and microparts is disclosed. The method includes fabricating a unidirectional metal matrix composite made of materials selected to allow precise etching of different structural elements of the given composite without damage to each other. Cutting a composite to form slices or sections. Etching a matrix entirely out will produce wide assortment of microparts. Partial removal of matrix will form an array of microprotrusions protruding from a substrate. Etching out the microprotrusions cores will form hollow microprotrusions. The method of invention is suitable for fabricating of variety of microcomponents. For example: microneedles--a medical microdevice component having micron features, arrays of high strength micropins and micropunches, and precisely controlled unique microstructural surfaces.

US20060100543A1

Integrated Analytical Test Element

5/11/2006

EP1654985A1

Sampling device for sample liquid

F. HOFFMANN LA ROCHE AG | Roche Diagnostics GmbH

5/10/2006

Sampling system for liquid samples e.g. micro sampler for blood comprises carrier, puncture element, and semi-open channel whereby a housing structure is provided for excess liquid sample escaping laterally from the channel The sampling system comprises a carrier (12), a puncture element (14) arranged on the carrier and a semi-open channel (16). A housing structure (20) is provided for excess liquid sample escaping laterally from the channel. The housing structure is effective as capillary in a channel-lateral entry area for the sample liquid.-An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for the blood analyzer.

US7041254B2

Kit for measuring analytes

Lifescan, Inc.

5/9/2006

Devices, systems, methods and kits are provided for use in determining the concentration of chemical and biochemical components in aqueous fluids. The subject devices include test strips which define a longitudinal axis and include a distal edge configured for insertion into a measurement instrument and having an alignment notch formed in the distal edge for engagement with an alignment member of the measurement instrument. The alignment notch has opposing edges wherein at least a portion of the opposing edges is in substantially parallel relation to the longitudinal axis. In using the subject devices, the devices are inserted into a measurement instrument having an alignment pin. When operatively engaged with the alignment pin, the notch serves to maintain the device in a substantially motionless position. The invention is useful in a variety of applications, particularly in the determination of blood glucose concentrations.

US7041068B2

Sampling module device and method

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

5/9/2006

A tissue penetration device and method of using same that may include a lancet module or sampling module. The sampling module may optionally be in a cartridge configuration and include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated.

US7037499B1

Adjuvant for transcutaneous immunization

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army

5/2/2006

A transcutaneous immunization system delivers antigen to immune cells without perforation of the skin, and induces an immune response in an animal or human. The system uses an adjuvant, preferably an ADP-ribosylating exotoxin, to induce an antigen-specific immune response (e.g., humoral and/or cellular effectors) after transcutaneous application of a formulation containing antigen and adjuvant to intact skin of the animal or human. The efficiency of immunization may be enhanced by adding hydrating agents (e.g., liposomes), penetration enhancers, or occlusive dressings to the transcutaneous delivery system. This system may allow activation of Langerhans cells in the skin, migration of the Langerhans cells to lymph nodes, and antigen presentation.

US7032302B1

Dry physiological recording device

Orbital Research Inc.

4/25/2006

US7032301B1

Dry physiological recording electrode

Orbital Research Inc

4/25/2006

US20060079810A1

Integrated lancing test strip with capillary transfer sheet

4/13/2006

US7025774B2

Tissue penetration device

Pelikan Technologies, Inc.

4/11/2006

A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retr