Microneedle cartridge assembly and method of applying

Abstract

A microneedle array cartridge includes a web of material having a top face and an opposite bottom face. An adhesive and a microneedle array are disposed on the bottom face of the web of material. A container is disposed relative to the bottom face of the web of material, and has a perimeter portion and a central portion for covering at least part of the microneedle array. At least part of the perimeter portion of the container contacts the adhesive, and the central portion of the container does not contact the adhesive. The perimeter portion and the central portion of the container are integrally formed.

1 . A microneedle array cartridge comprising:
 a web of material having a top face and an opposite bottom face;   an adhesive disposed on the bottom face of the web of material;   a microneedle array disposed relative to the bottom face of the web of material; and   a container disposed relative to the bottom face of the web of material having a perimeter portion and a central portion for covering at least part of the microneedle array, wherein at least part of the perimeter portion contacts the adhesive and the central portion does not contact the adhesive, and wherein the perimeter portion and the central portion are integrally formed.   
     
     
         2 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein a first region of the perimeter portion contacts the adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein a second region of the perimeter portion does not contact the adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one stiffener disposed along the web of material. 
     
     
         5 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 4 , wherein a pair of stiffeners are provided. 
     
     
         6 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one stiffener has an elongate shape. 
     
     
         7 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one stiffener has a length at least as long as a width or diameter of the central portion of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the web of material defines a web perimeter, and wherein at least a portion of the perimeter portion of the container generally extends at least to the web perimeter. 
     
     
         9 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter portion of the container defines a pair of cutout regions where the perimeter portion does not extend as far as the web perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein a seal is formed between the web of material and the perimeter portion of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 10 , and further comprising a gasket disposed between the web of material and the perimeter portion of the container for forming the seal. 
     
     
         12 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 10 , and further comprising a heat seal between the web of material and the perimeter portion of the container for forming the seal. 
     
     
         13 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 12 , wherein the seal is hermetic. 
     
     
         14 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion of the container has a base and at least one sidewall, and wherein the at least one sidewall has a low profile relative to the microneedle array. 
     
     
         15 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein the base of the central portion of the cartridge is spaced from the microneedle array. 
     
     
         16 . The microneedle array cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the array and web of material are integrally formed. 
     
     
         17 . A microneedle array package comprising:
 a plurality of adhesive patches separably attached to each other, each of the adhesive patches carrying a microneedle array.   
     
     
         18 . The microneedle array package of  claim 17 , wherein the package is in the form of a roll. 
     
     
         19 . The microneedle array package of  claim 17 , wherein the package is in the form of a sheet. 
     
     
         20 . A microneedle array cartridge comprising:
 a web of material disposed substantially in a first plane, the web of material having a top face and an opposite bottom face;   an adhesive disposed on the bottom face of the web of material;   a microneedle array disposed relative to the bottom face of the web of material; and   a container disposed relative to the bottom face of the web of material having a perimeter portion and a central portion for covering at least part of the microneedle array, wherein a first region of the perimeter portion is disposed substantially in a second plane that is generally parallel to the first plane, and wherein a second region of the perimeter portion is generally not disposed in the second plane.   
     
     
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