| abstract |
Provided is a microneedle device which protects microneedles, has an easily portable shape, is free from such problems as breakage of fine needles in the step of puncturing the skin with the microneedles, and ensures appropriate skin puncture to administer a drug. By studying the relationship between the device to be pressed to the skin and the height of the elevation of the skin surface during the pressing, it is found that there is a positive correlation between the placement and interval of skin fixation members and the height of the elevation of the skin. It is furthermore found that the elevated skin surface is always parallel to the flat plate of the device. This reveals that since the microneedles installed at the device can be inserted at right angle to the skin surface, the skin can reliably be punctuated avoiding the breakage etc. of the fine needles of the microneedles. Thus, a microneedle patch which is easily portable and ensures convenient drug administration to the skin can be produced. |