Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for subcutaneously delivering a substance to a patient, said apparatus comprising:

a carrier comprising a flexible body, wherein said flexible body comprises a reservoir, and further wherein said reservoir contains the substance which is to be delivered to the patient;a nanoneedle assembly comprising: a tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end;a base plate movably mounted intermediate said distal end and said proximal end of said tubular body, said base plate comprising a distal surface and a proximal surface, with a plurality of through-holes extending between said distal surface and said proximal surface of said base plate, said proximal surface of said base plate being in fluid communication with said reservoir;a plurality of nanoneedles, wherein each of said plurality of nanoneedles comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, said proximal end of each of said plurality of nanoneedles being mounted to said base plate such that said lumen of each of said plurality of nanoneedles is in fluid communication with said through-holes of said base plate;a fixed guide plate mounted at said distal end of said tubular body, said fixed guide plate comprising a plurality of through-holes extending therethrough, said through-holes of said fixed guide plate being sized to receive said distal ends of said plurality of nanoneedles; anda moveable guide plate disposed intermediate said base plate and said fixed guide plate, said moveable guide plate comprising a plurality of through-holes extending therethrough, said through-holes of said movable guide plate being sized to receive said plurality of nanoneedles, such that said plurality of nanoneedles extend through said through-holes of said movable guide plate; andat least one spring tab for biasing said movable guide plate away from said fixed guide plate; wherein, when said base plate is moved distally, said movable guide plate moves distally, such that said movable guide plate provides lateral support to said nanoneedles, whereby to prevent buckling of said nanoneedles; andwherein when said base plate moves distally, said distal end of each of said plurality of nanoneedles passes through said through-holes of said fixed guide plate into the patient, and further wherein when said distal ends of said plurality of nanoneedles are disposed distally of said fixed guide plate, the substance within said reservoir passes through each of said lumens of said plurality of nanoneedles, whereby to deliver the substance to the patient.

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First Claim