Microneedle applicator and microneedle patch application device

Abstract

A device for inserting needles of a microneedle patch into a skin includes a housing. The housing includes a support portion for supporting a microneedle patch, a pressure-receiving portion to which the user applies a force to press the microneedle patch against the skin, and a plurality of leg portions each having at its one end a connecting portion connected to the pressure-receiving portion and having at its other end a tip portion coming into contact with the skin. The housing is designed to deform when a force is applied to the pressure-receiving portion, to cause a tension in a portion of the skin facing the support portion.

1 . An apparatus for applying a microneedle patch onto a skin, comprising:
 a housing to be placed on the skin in use, the housing comprising:
 a first deformable plate having one end and the other end, the first deformable plate having a top portion configured to receive a pressure that a user applies and a bottom portion configured to support the microneedle patch; 
 a pair of second deformable plates, the pair of second deformable plates each having a first end and a second end, the first end of one of the pair of second deformable plates being connected to the one end of the first deformable plate and the first end of the other of the pair of second deformable plates being connected to the other end of the first deformable plate with the pair of second deformable plates directed obliquely outwardly such that a distance between the second ends of the pair of second deformable plates is greater than a distance between the first ends of the pair of second deformable plates; 
 wherein the first deformable plate is configured to be more deformable than the pair of second deformable plates. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first deformable plate is curved to convex in a direction from the top surface toward the bottom surface of the first deformable plate. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the each of the pair of second deformable plates has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein each of the pair of second deformable plates is curved to convex in a direction from the inner surface toward the outer surface. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of second deformable plates have respective extremities extending outward away from each other such that, when the user applies the pressure on the top portion of the first deformable plate, increased frictional forces are generated between the extremities and the skin to spread a portion of the skin under the microneedle patch.