WO2023120810A1 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing microneedle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for manufacturing a microneedle, and comprises: a substrate; a nozzle unit which receives and discharges to the substrate the supply of a base material as ink, the base material being a biocompatible material; a power unit which supplies power to the nozzle unit and forms a magnetic field between the substrate and the nozzle unit; and an optical unit which irradiates light onto the ink dropped on the substrate.

Description

Microneedle manufacturing device and microneedle manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a microneedle and a microneedle manufacturing method using electrohydrodynamic printing.

Drug injection into the human body has traditionally been performed by needle injection, but needle injection causes great pain. Therefore, a non-invasive drug injection method has also been developed, but there is a problem in that the amount of drug required is too large compared to the amount of injection.

Due to these problems, a lot of research has been done on a drug delivery system (DDS), which has made further progress with the development of nanotechnology.

Unlike conventional injection needles, microneedles can be characterized by painless skin penetration and no trauma. In addition, a certain degree of physical hardness may be required because the microneedle must penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin. In addition, an appropriate length may be required in order for the physiologically active material to reach the epidermal layer or the dermal layer of the skin. In addition, in order to effectively deliver the physiologically active substance of hundreds of "micro" needles into the skin, the skin permeability of the "micro" needles must be high and maintained for a certain period of time until they are dissolved after being inserted into the skin.

Microneedles can be manufactured by injecting a material into a mold and drying it. However, it is difficult to manufacture a micro mold suitable for the size of the needle, and maintenance is difficult. The tensile method is a method of manufacturing microneedles by pulling the material of the microneedles and cutting off the middle portion, but this method causes pain when attached to the skin and has difficulty in forming a narrow array of microneedles. Studies to overcome the limitations of these conventional microneedle manufacturing methods are continuing.

The present invention can provide a microneedle manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method capable of delicately and precisely manufacturing a microneedle patch using electrohydrodynamic printing.

An aspect of the present invention provides a substrate, a nozzle unit for receiving a base material, which is a biocompatible material, as ink and discharging it to the substrate, and supplying power to the nozzle unit to form a magnetic field between the substrate and the nozzle unit. Provided is a microneedle manufacturing apparatus including a power unit for performing a power supply, and an optical unit for irradiating light to the ink dropped on the substrate.

The microneedle manufacturing apparatus and microneedle manufacturing method according to the present invention can manufacture a high-resolution microneedle patch using electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing technology. Since biocompatible ink can be finely and precisely dropped on a substrate, a microneedle with a sharp tip can be manufactured.

In the microneedle manufacturing apparatus and microneedle manufacturing method according to the present invention, when the width or height of the microneedle falls within a preset range, the controller controls the size or spacing of the ink to be dropped, so that the needle tip can be manufactured very precisely. .

According to the microneedle manufacturing apparatus and microneedle manufacturing method according to the present invention, a multi-layered microneedle can be manufactured by controlling an electric field or a voltage or a waveform, respectively, according to physical properties of ink. In particular, the tip of the microneedle can be controlled very precisely to increase the resolution of the microneedle.

In the microneedle manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the light irradiated from the optical unit cures the ink to precisely manufacture the microneedle. The optical unit may manufacture various microneedles by irradiating light of various wavelengths and intensities according to the shape or height of the stacked microneedles and the ink used as the base material.

1 is a diagram showing a microneedle manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of FIG. 1 .

3 is a perspective view illustrating a microneedle manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area A of FIG. 3 .

5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating the position adjustment unit of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the optical unit of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a part of the optical unit of FIG. 7 .

9 is a perspective view illustrating a microneedle patch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a cross section of FIG. 9 .

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing part of Fig. 10;

12 and 13 are views showing modified examples of FIG. 11 .

14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a microneedle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a microneedle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

An aspect of the present invention provides a substrate, a nozzle unit for receiving a base material, which is a biocompatible material, as ink and discharging it to the substrate, and supplying power to the nozzle unit to form a magnetic field between the substrate and the nozzle unit. Provided is a microneedle manufacturing apparatus including a power unit for performing a power supply, and an optical unit for irradiating light to the ink dropped on the substrate.

The optical unit may include a light source, a lens unit disposed to be spaced apart from the light source, and a focus lens disposed adjacent to the substrate and spaced apart from the lens unit.

The optical unit may further include a guide frame extending in one direction, and at least one of the lens unit and the focus lens may be disposed to be movable along the guide frame.

In addition, the optical unit may irradiate the light to the top of the ink dropped on the substrate.

In addition, the nozzle unit may sequentially eject first ink and second ink, which are different base materials, to the substrate, and microneedles on the substrate may have a multilayer structure of the first ink and the second ink.

In addition, the optical unit may adjust the intensity of the light or the wavelength of the emitted light in consideration of the physical properties of the first ink and the physical properties of the second ink.

The optical unit may further include a guide block having a slit through which the light emitted from the optical unit passes.

In addition, a sensor unit for sensing the ink dropped from the nozzle unit may be further included.

Another aspect of the present invention is the step of forming an electric field between the nozzle unit and the substrate, the step of supplying ink, which is a biocompatible material, to the nozzle unit, and the ink being dropped on the substrate from the nozzle unit. and forming microneedles in the height direction of the substrate.

In addition, in the step of forming the microneedle in the height direction of the substrate, the optical unit may irradiate light to the ink dropped on the substrate to cure the microneedle.

In addition, the microneedle has a first needle part and a second needle part formed of different base materials, and the step of forming the microneedle in the height direction of the substrate is to drop the first ink on the substrate to form the first needle part. Then, a second ink may be dropped on the first needle portion to form the second needle portion.

In addition, in the step of forming the microneedle in the height direction of the substrate, the optical unit irradiates a first light irradiated to the first ink and a second light irradiated to the second ink, and the first light and the first light are irradiated. The 2 lights may have different wavelengths or intensities.

Other aspects, features and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following drawings, claims and detailed description of the invention.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

Since the present invention can apply various transformations and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. Effects and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them will become clear with reference to the embodiments described later in detail together with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various forms.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and when describing with reference to the drawings, the same or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted. .

In the following embodiments, terms such as first and second are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component without limiting meaning.

In the following examples, expressions in the singular number include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the following embodiments, terms such as include or have mean that features or components described in the specification exist, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

In the drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, since the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of description, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated bar.

When an embodiment is otherwise implementable, a specific process sequence may be performed differently from the described sequence. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously, or may be performed in an order reverse to the order described.

1 is a diagram showing a microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 is equipped with electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing technology, so that a microneedle patch having a very high resolution can be manufactured. The microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention can precisely manufacture microneedles and microneedle patches using electrohydrodynamic jet 3D printing technology.

The microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 may print both the base 1010 and the microneedle 1020 of the microneedle patch 1000 to be described later. Also, referring to FIG. 9 , the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 may place a base 1010 on a substrate 110 and drop ink on the base 1010 to print the microneedle 1020. .

The microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a substrate 110, a driving unit 120, a nozzle unit 130, a power unit 140, a controller 150, a positioning unit 160, a sensor unit 170, and an optical unit 180.

Ink is defined as a material for manufacturing a microneedle and may include a biocompatible material. In addition, the ink may have a photocurable property and may be cured by the light L irradiated from the optical unit 180 .

For example, the ink may be methacrylated MeHA (HAMA) so that it can be photocured based on hyaluronic acid. In addition, the ink may be GelMa methacrylated to be photocurable based on gelatin. In addition, the ink may be PEGDA, which can be photocured by synthesizing acryloyl chloride in polyethylene glycol. However, the ink is not limited thereto, and may be formed of various materials that are cured by light. The substrate 110 is disposed below the nozzle unit 130, and the microneedle patch 1000 printed with ink droplets DP ejected from the nozzle unit 130 may be placed thereon. A printed microneedle may be placed on the top of the substrate 110 .

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the substrate 110 may be formed of a conductive material. The substrate 110 may be electrically connected to the power unit 140 to form an electric field on the substrate 110 .

In one embodiment, the substrate 110 may be positioned in a 3-dimensional space. The substrate 110 is connected to the position adjusting unit 160 and can adjust its position in space along three axes or rotate around three axes.

The driving unit 120 may store ink and supply ink to the nozzle unit 130 . The driving unit 120 stores a base material (BM), that is, a biocompatible material, which is a material of the microneedle, as ink. The driving unit 120 may be connected to the nozzle unit 130 and supply the base material BM to the nozzle unit 130 .

In one embodiment, the drive unit 120 may include a syringe and a syringe pump. A base material is stored inside the syringe, and the base material stored in the syringe may be supplied to the nozzle unit 130 by driving a syringe pump. The shape of the driving unit 120 is not limited thereto, and may be set in various shapes capable of storing and supplying ink.

The nozzle unit 130 may receive the base material BM, which is a biocompatible material, as ink, and discharge the ink onto the substrate 110 . In the nozzle unit 130, ink droplets DP are ejected from the nozzle head to the substrate 110, so that precise and high-resolution microneedles can be printed.

The nozzle unit 130 is connected to the power unit 140 and an electric field may be formed in a space between the nozzle unit 130 and the substrate 110 . When the amplified voltage is supplied to the nozzle unit 130 , micron-sized ink droplets DP are ejected onto the substrate 110 .

In detail, ink, which is a base material having electrical conductivity, is deposited on the nozzle head of the nozzle unit 130 . When a high-voltage voltage from the voltage amplifier 141 is applied to the nozzle unit 130, an electric field is formed between the nozzle head and the substrate, and gravity and electric force act on the ink as external forces. When the sum of the external forces is greater than the surface tension of the ink, the ink is ejected as droplets.

The nozzle unit 130 may eject a plurality of types of ink onto the substrate 110 . If the microneedles have a multilayer structure, the nozzle unit 130 may sequentially eject first ink and second ink, which are different base materials, onto the substrate 110 .

In one embodiment, the nozzle unit 130 has one nozzle, and a worker may change the type of ink to manufacture a multi-layered microneedle.

In another embodiment, the nozzle unit 130 may include a plurality of nozzles and eject a plurality of types of ink or the same type of ink onto a substrate. For example, one nozzle of the nozzle unit may eject first ink to form a first needle part, and another nozzle may eject second ink to form a second needle part.

The power unit 140 may supply power to the nozzle unit 130 . The power unit 140 may be connected to the nozzle unit 130 and the substrate 110 to form an electric field between the substrate 110 and the nozzle unit 130 .

The power unit 140 may include a voltage amplifier 141 . The voltage amplifier 141 amplifies the supplied voltage, so that a large electric field can be formed between the nozzle unit 130 and the substrate 110 .

The power unit 140 may include a waveform generator 142 . The waveform generator 142 can control the waveform of the current supplied to the nozzle unit 130 and the substrate 110, and the controlled waveform can adjust the ink spacing g. The waveform generator 142 may generate a waveform such as a square wave and adjust timing to adjust the interval g of the ink droplet DP.

The controller 150 may be connected to the driving unit 120 and control driving of the driving unit 120 . By a control signal from the controller 150, the driving unit 120 may control the flow rate of the base material in the form of ink supplied to the nozzle unit 130.

The controller 150 may control the ink to be dropped from the nozzle unit 130 by adjusting the power unit 140 . The controller 150 may control the voltage amplifier 141 of the power unit 140 to adjust the level of voltage supplied to the nozzle unit 130 or the substrate 110 . Also, the controller 150 may control the waveform generator 142 of the power unit 140 to control the waveform of current or voltage supplied to the nozzle unit 130 or the substrate 110 .

The controller 150 may control the power unit 140 to control the size of the ink droplets DP or the distance between the ink droplets DP. The controller 150 may control the power unit 140 to precisely and precisely control the ink droplets DP ejected from the nozzle unit 130 .

In one embodiment, the controller 150 may control the power unit 140 according to physical properties of the base material. For example, base materials used to manufacture microneedles have biocompatibility and have different viscosities or surface tensions. Accordingly, the controller 150 may adjust the size of the electric field by controlling the amplified voltage of the voltage amplifier 141 according to the type of the base material BM supplied to the nozzle unit 130 . In addition, the controller 150 controls the waveform of the waveform generator 142 according to the type of the base material BM supplied to the nozzle unit 130 to adjust the distance between the ink droplets DP, or can adjust the size of

In one embodiment, the controller 150 may control the power unit 140 by considering physical properties of a plurality of types of base materials BM.

For example, if the microneedle has a first needle part and a second needle part in a laminated structure, the first needle part is formed of the first ink, and the second needle part is formed of the second ink, the controller 150 controls the physical properties of the first ink. The voltage and waveform of the power unit 140 may be controlled in consideration of the physical properties of the second ink and the second ink.

In addition, the controller 150 controls the power unit 140 so that the electric field formed when the first ink is dropped on the nozzle unit 130 is set to be different from the electric field formed when the second ink is dropped on the nozzle unit 130. ) can be controlled.

In one embodiment, the controller 150 includes a memory, and information about the magnitude and waveform of power supplied from the power unit 140 according to the base material BM may be stored in the memory. When the base material BM is injected into the driving unit 120 or the nozzle unit 130, the controller 150 outputs the power unit 140 automatically or according to the user's selection according to the injected base material BM. can be set.

In one embodiment, the controller 150 may control the power unit 140 according to the state of the printed microneedle. Referring to FIG. 11 , the width D of the microneedle is formed to decrease as the height increases, and ink must be accurately and precisely dropped in a portion having a narrow width D. If the size of the ink is reduced or the distance (g) between the inks is increased, the microneedle can be printed with precision and precision.

When the microneedle reaches a preset height (H) or a preset width (D), the controller 150 controls the power unit 140 to precisely manufacture the tip of the microneedle. The controller 150 calculates the height (H) or width (D) of the printed microneedle based on the image measured by the sensor unit 170 or information on the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle unit 130. can do.

When the calculated height (H) or width (D) falls within a preset range, the controller 150 controls the power unit 140 to precisely manufacture the microneedle, and the size of the ink drop (DP) or ink The distance between the droplets DP can be adjusted. For example, when the stacked microneedles in FIG. 9 correspond to a predetermined height (eg H), the controller 150 reduces the size of the ink droplet DP or the size of the ink droplet DP in order to precisely and elaborately manufacture the tip. The distance (g) can be adjusted.

The controller 150 may control the position adjustment unit 160 to adjust the position of the substrate 110 in space or the height of the nozzle unit 130 . By adjusting the position of the substrate 110 in space, the drop point of the ink dropped on the substrate 110 is changed, and the microneedle can be precisely manufactured. In addition, by adjusting the height of the nozzle unit 130, it is possible to control the distance between the microneedle and the nozzle head, thereby controlling the strength of the electric field or the dropping speed of the ink.

As an alternative embodiment, the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 may include the sensor unit 170 . The sensor unit 170 may be disposed adjacent to the substrate 110 to sense data of microneedles printed on the substrate 110 .

For example, the sensor unit 170 may be set as a camera for securing image information of the microneedle. The controller 150 may receive image information generated by the sensor unit 170 and may extract information about the size of ink and the interval between inks from the transmitted image information. Also, the controller 150 may control the power unit 140 based on the extracted information.

In addition, the controller 150 may generate a signal initiating control of the power unit 140 based on information about the width (D) or height (H) of the microneedle extracted from the image information. That is, when the controller 150 determines from the image information that the width (D) or height (H) of the microneedle corresponds to a preset size, the controller 150 controls the power unit 140 to determine the ink size or size. You can control the spacing.

The microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 may include an optical unit 180 . The optical unit 180 may cure the microneedles dropped or printed on the substrate 110 .

For example, the optical unit 180 may include an optical module radiating light for curing the base material. As another example, the optical unit 180 may include a fan module to cure the base material, and may generate air flow by driving the fan module.

The controller 150 may rapidly cure the microneedles placed on the substrate 110 by controlling the optical unit 180 .

The microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention can manufacture a high-resolution microneedle patch using electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing technology. Since biocompatible ink can be finely and precisely dropped on a substrate, a microneedle with a sharp tip can be manufactured.

In the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention, the controller 150 controls the power unit 140, so that needle tips can be manufactured very precisely. If the width or height of the microneedle falls within a preset range, the controller 150 may control the size or interval of ink to be dropped to manufacture the needle tip very precisely.

3 is a perspective view showing a microneedle manufacturing apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area A of FIG. 3, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are positions of FIG. 3 It is a perspective view showing the adjustment unit 260.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6 , the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 200 is equipped with electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing technology, so that a microneedle patch having a very high resolution can be manufactured.

The microneedle manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a substrate 210, a driving unit 220, a nozzle unit 230, a power unit (not shown), a controller (not shown), a position adjustment unit 260, and a sensor unit 270. and an optical unit 280 . Hereinafter, descriptions overlapping with those of the aforementioned microneedle manufacturing apparatus 100 will be omitted.

In the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 200 , a position adjusting unit 260 , a sensor unit 270 , and an optical unit 280 may be installed on the table 10 . A fixing hole 11 is disposed on the surface of the table 10 , and the optical unit 280 may be inserted into the fixing hole 11 and supported by the table 10 . Since the fixing holes 11 are widely distributed on the upper surface of the table 10, the optical unit 280 can be installed in various positions of the table 10.

Ink droplets (DP) falling from the nozzle unit 230 may be stacked on the substrate 210 to manufacture microneedles. The substrate 210 may be mounted on the positioning unit 260 and the position of the substrate 210 may be adjusted according to the driving of the positioning unit 260 .

As an alternative embodiment, the substrate 210 may have a coating layer (not shown) on its surface. The coating layer may include a light reflecting material, a light scattering material, or a material having low thermal conductivity. As an alternative embodiment, the coating layer of the substrate 210 may include a material that absorbs light. The coating layer may protect the substrate 210 so that the light L emitted from the optical unit 280 does not deform the substrate 210 . In addition, the coating layer may protect the nozzle unit 230 by preventing the light L emitted from the optical unit 280 from being directed toward the nozzle unit 230 .

As an alternative embodiment, the coating layer of the substrate 210 may include a material with high electrical conductivity. Due to the high electrical conductivity of the coating layer, a set electric field with high energy efficiency can be formed between the substrate 210 and the nozzle unit 230 .

The driving unit 220 may transmit driving force to the nozzle unit 230 so that ink may be ejected from the nozzle unit 230 to the substrate 210 . The driving unit 220 presses the plunger 232 of the nozzle unit 230 so that ink stored in the nozzle unit 230 can be discharged. In one embodiment, the driving unit 220 may have a driving motor 221 , a fixing member 222 , a guide shaft 223 and an elevating member 224 .

The driving motor 221 is installed on one side of the fixing member 222 and can control the elevation and descent of the elevating member 224 . The driving motor 221 is driven by a signal transmitted from the controller, and the generated driving force raises or lowers the elevating member 224, and the ink stored in the nozzle unit 230 is transferred to the nozzle unit 230 by the movement of the elevating member 224. It may be discharged from unit 230 .

The fixing member 222 is fixed to the base, and a driving motor 221 may be mounted thereto. The guide shaft 223 may be disposed on one side of the fixing member 222 and the elevating member 224 may be mounted thereon.

The elevating member 224 may move vertically along the guide shaft 223 . The elevating member 224 is connected to the nozzle unit 230 , and ink may be discharged from the nozzle unit 230 by the movement of the elevating member 224 .

The nozzle unit 230 discharges ink, which is a base material, onto the substrate 210 to form microneedles on the substrate 230 . The nozzle unit 230 may have a reservoir 231 , a plunger 232 , and a discharge nozzle 233 .

In the nozzle unit 230 , ink as a base material may be stored in the reservoir 231 , and ink may be discharged from the ejection nozzle 233 and dropped onto the substrate 210 by the movement of the plunger 232 . At this time, the ink may be precisely dropped onto the substrate 210 from the outlet of the ejection nozzle 233 drop by drop.

The reservoir 231 has a preset internal space. A plunger 232 may be movably installed inside the reservoir 231 . According to the linear movement of the elevating member 224 , the plunger 232 may linearly move along the longitudinal direction of the reservoir 231 . The discharge nozzle 233 may be connected to the reservoir 231 and extend toward the substrate 210 . The discharge nozzle 233 may have a predetermined length, and the diameter of the outlet is set smaller than the diameter of the reservoir 231, so that ink can be precisely discharged. For example, the length of the ejection nozzle 233 may be set longer than the drop distance of the ink.

The discharge nozzle 233 may be assembled to the reservoir 231 by a lure lock. Power from a power unit (not shown) is applied between the luer lock and the substrate 210, and an electric field is formed in a space between the outlet of the discharge nozzle 233 and the substrate. The ink ejected from the outlet of the ejection nozzle 233 is precisely and precisely dropped on the substrate 210 by an electrohydrodynamic method, and the printed microneedle can be precisely and precisely manufactured.

The figure shows an embodiment in which the position of the nozzle unit 230 is fixed, but is not limited thereto. For example, if at least one motor for moving the position of the nozzle unit 230 is additionally provided, the force generated by the motor may move the position of the nozzle in space.

The nozzle unit 230 may eject various inks according to the shape or structure of the microneedle.

For example, in order to manufacture a multi-layered microneedle, the nozzle unit 230 may sequentially eject first ink and second ink, which are different base materials, onto the substrate. Thus, the microneedle fabricated on the substrate 210 may have a multilayer structure of the first ink and the second ink. The nozzle unit 230 is not limited to the first ink and the second ink, and may have a multilayer structure by sequentially ejecting various types of ink to the substrate.

The position adjustment unit 260 may adjust the position of the substrate 210 . The position adjustment unit 260 may adjust the position of the substrate 210 in space to adjust the position where the ink droplet DP falls from the substrate 210 .

The position adjusting unit 260 may have a first actuator 261 , a second actuator 262 , a third actuator 263 , and a connector 264 .

The first actuator 261 may move the substrate 210 in the X-axis direction. The first actuator 261 may be installed on the first supporter 261A. A first shaft 261B extending in the X-axis direction is installed on the first supporter 261A, and a third supporter 263A may be mounted on the first shaft 261B. When the first actuator 261 is driven, the third supporter 263A may move in the X-axis direction along the first shaft 261B.

The second actuator 262 may move the substrate 210 in the Y-axis direction. The second actuator 262 may be installed on the second supporter 262A. A second shaft 262B extending in the Y-axis direction is installed on the second supporter 262A, and the first supporter 261A may be mounted on the second shaft 262B. When the second actuator 262 is driven, the first supporter 261A may move in the Y-axis direction along the second shaft 262B.

The third actuator 263 may move the substrate 210 in the Z-axis direction. The third actuator 263 may be installed on the third supporter 263A. A third shaft 263B extending in the Z-axis direction is installed in the third supporter 263A, and a connector 264 may be mounted on the third shaft 263B. When the third actuator 263 is driven, the connector 264 may move in the Z-axis direction along the third shaft 263B.

The connector 264 is connected to the board 210, and the position of the board 210 can be adjusted by moving the connector 264.

The sensor unit 270 may acquire various information about the microneedle to be manufactured. For example, the sensor unit 270 may be an imaging device that captures images of ink droplets DP falling from the nozzle unit 230 or images of stacked microneedles.

For example, the sensor unit 270 measures the first position P1 of the outlet of the nozzle unit 230 and the second position P2 where the ink droplet DP is stacked so that the ink droplet DP falls. distance can be sensed. Based on the drop distance of the ink drop DP measured by the sensor unit 270 , the controller may drive the position adjustment unit 260 . For example, the controller may maintain a constant distance at which the ink droplets DP fall during stacking of the microneedles.

The sensor unit 270 is installed on the support plate 271, and the height of the support plate 271 can be adjusted by adjusting the height adjusting member 273.

For example, as shown in the drawing, the height adjusting member 273 may be adjusted by a user to rotate the knob to adjust the position of the support plate 271 .

As another example, although not shown in the drawing, the height adjusting member 273 is connected to the controller, and the position of the support plate 271 can be automatically set according to the position of the substrate 210 and the position of the nozzle unit 230. .

The image taken by the sensor unit 270 is transmitted to the controller, and the controller can extract the size and height of the ink to be dropped.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the optical unit 280 of FIG. 3 , and FIG. 8 is a view showing a part of the optical unit 280 of FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the optical unit 280 may include a light source 281 , a lens unit 282 and a focus lens 283 . In addition, the optical unit 280 may include a guide frame 285 supporting the light source 281 , the lens unit 282 , and the focus lens 283 .

The light source 281 may generate light L emitted from the optical unit 280 . The light source 281 may be variously set according to ink used as a base material. However, hereinafter, for convenience of description, an example of using an LED as a light source will be mainly described.

The light source 281 controls the light L to have a wavelength or intensity capable of curing the ink, and the light L emitted from the optical unit 280 can cure the ink. For example, light source 281 may generate UV.

The wavelength or intensity of the light source 281 may be controlled by a controller. When the first ink is stacked, the light source 281 may oscillate light for curing the first ink. When layered with the second ink, the light source 281 may oscillate another light for curing the second ink.

The light source 281 is supported by the first joint 285A, and the first joint 285A moves along the guide frame 285 to adjust the position of the light source 281 .

The lens unit 282 may be spaced apart from the light source 281 . The lens unit 282 may be disposed between the light source 281 and the focus lens 283 to align light L emitted from the light source 281 .

The lens unit 282 may have a plurality of lenses. Although the drawing shows an embodiment having two lenses, it is not limited thereto and may be set to a single number or three or more. However, hereinafter, for convenience of description, an embodiment in which the lens unit 282 includes the first lens 282A and the second lens 282B will be mainly described.

The first lens 282A may be disposed adjacent to the light source 281, and the second lens 282B may be disposed adjacent to the first lens 282A. The first lens 282A and the second lens 282B may align the light L emitted from the light source 281 and set a path so that the light L is incident to the focus lens 283 .

The lens unit 282 is supported by the second joint 285B, and the second joint 285B moves along the guide frame 285 to adjust the position of the lens unit 282 .

The focus lens 283 is spaced apart from the lens unit 282 and may be disposed adjacent to the substrate. The focus lens 283 may focus the light L and adjust a focal length. In particular, the focus lens 283 may adjust a back focal length (BFL).

The focus lens 283 is supported by the third joint 285C, and the third joint 285C may move along the guide frame 285 .

In one embodiment, the optical unit 280 may irradiate light to the top of the ink dropped on the substrate. Since the light L is irradiated only to the second position P2 in FIG. 4 where the ink droplet DP is stacked, the height of the substrate 210 is adjusted or the height of the optical unit 280 is adjusted according to the manufacturing of the microneedle. can be regulated.

In an alternative embodiment, the optical unit 280 may include an aperture 284 . The diaphragm 284 is disposed adjacent to the focus lens 283 and can control the amount of light L emitted from the focus lens 283 . The diaphragm 284 may be mounted on the third joint 285C and disposed in front of the focus lens 283 .

The guide frame 285 may extend in one direction. At least one of the light source 281 , the lens unit 282 , and the focus lens 283 may be disposed to be movable along the guide frame 285 . The first joint 285A, the second joint 285B, and the third joint 285C are mounted on the guide frame 285, and the axial direction of the light source 281, the lens unit 282, and the focus lens 283 position can be adjusted.

The optical unit 280 includes a support 280A installed on the table 10, a first mount 280B for adjusting the angle of the support 280A, and a second mount connecting the support 280A to the guide frame 285. (280C). The support 280A may be fixed to the fixing hole 11 of the table 10 . A first mount 280B is disposed between the supports 280A to adjust the angle of the guide frame 285 .

The optical unit 280 may adjust the focal length and intensity of the light L by adjusting distances in the axial direction of the light source 281 , the lens unit 282 , and the focus lens 283 . In the optical unit 280, at least one of the light source 281, the lens unit 282, and the focus lens 283 may move along the guide frame 285, and light emitted from the optical unit 280 to the microneedle ( You can adjust the back focal length (BFL) of L).

Since a sufficient back focal length (BFL) of the optical unit 280 is secured in the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 200 , the optical unit 280 may be separated from the nozzle unit 230 . In addition, since the back focal length (BFL) is sufficiently secured, the light (L) does not affect the nozzle unit 230, so that the ink droplet (DP) falling from the nozzle unit 230 is not cured, and the ink is accurately A second position P2 where the droplet DP is stacked may be targeted.

The ink droplet DP falling from the nozzle unit 230 may be cured at the same time that the light L emitted from the optical unit 280 is irradiated and stacked on the substrate 210 . In particular, the nozzle unit 230 drops the ink droplets DP drop by drop, and the light L is irradiated drop by drop to accurately cure the ink droplet, and the microneedle can be precisely manufactured.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , as an alternative embodiment, the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 200 may include a guide block 290 . The guide block 290 may guide a path of light emitted from the optical unit 280 . The guide block 290 passes the light coming from the optical unit 280 only to a predetermined area, so that other areas are not affected by light.

Although the drawing shows an embodiment in which the guide block 290 is disposed on the substrate 210, it is not limited thereto and may be disposed in a space separate from the substrate 210 in order to set a path of the light L.

The guide block 290 may be disposed on a path of light L incident from the optical unit 280 . The guide block 290 has a slit 291, and the light L may pass through the slit 291 and target the second position P2 where the ink droplets DP are stacked.

The slit 291 may extend in a height direction of the guide block 290 . Since the slits 291 have a predetermined length in the height direction, the microneedles stacked in the height direction on the substrate 210 can be accurately and continuously cured.

The microneedle manufacturing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention can manufacture a high-resolution microneedle patch using electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing technology. Since biocompatible ink can be finely and precisely dropped on a substrate, a microneedle with a sharp tip can be manufactured.

In the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the present invention, the controller controls the power unit, so that needle tips can be manufactured very precisely. When the width or height of the microneedle falls within a preset range, the controller may control the size or interval of ink to be dropped to manufacture the needle tip very precisely.

In the microneedle manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the present invention, the light irradiated from the optical unit 280 cures ink to precisely manufacture the microneedle. The optical unit 280 may manufacture various microneedles by irradiating light L having various wavelengths and intensities according to the shape or height of the stacked microneedles and the ink used as the base material. In addition, since the optical unit 280 may move the position of the lens, the wavelength and intensity of the light L may be adjusted according to the shape or height of the microneedle and the ink used as the base material.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a microneedle patch 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 , and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 10 .

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 10 , a plurality of microneedles 1020 may be disposed on a base 1010 of the microneedle patch 1000 manufactured by the above-described microneedle manufacturing apparatus. The microneedle patch 1000 may be attached to an object to deliver drugs or cosmetic substances.

According to the above-described microneedle manufacturing method, the microneedle 1020 may be stacked on top of the base 1010 . However, hereinafter, the microneedle patch 1000 will be described with reference to a drawing in which the microneedle 1020 is disposed below the base 1010 in consideration of the insertion direction.

The base 1010 supports the microneedles 1020, and a plurality of microneedles 1020 may be provided on one surface. One side of the base 1010 may be in contact with the skin, and the other side of the base 1010 may be exposed to the outside.

The base 1010 may be removed when the microneedle 1020 is implanted into the skin. For example, the base may be removed from the skin by applying force by the user. As another example, in the microneedle patch 1000, a portion where the base 1010 and the microneedle 1020 are connected is first dissolved, and the base 1010 may be removed after a predetermined time has elapsed after attachment. As another example, when the microneedle patch 1000 is attached for a long time, the base 1010 may dissolve. As another example, the base 1010 may be removed by a user applying a material for dissolution.

In one embodiment, the base 1010 may include any one of the materials included in the microneedle 1020 . The base 1010 may include a biodegradable material like the microneedle 1020.

As an alternative embodiment, the base 1010 may include a physiologically active material. After the microneedle patch 1000 is attached to the skin, the active ingredient can be effectively delivered to the patient by the physiologically active substance coming out of the base 1010. In addition, the base 1010 and the microneedle 1020 can be easily separated by the physiologically active substance coming out of the base 1010.

In one embodiment, the base 1010 may have a lower solubility than the layer most adjacent to the microneedle 1020, that is, the layer most spaced apart from the tip of the microneedle 1020. Since a portion of the microneedle 1020 adjacent to the base 1010 dissolves the fastest, the base 1010 can be easily separated from the microneedle 1020 .

In one embodiment, the base 1010 may include a water-soluble polymer. The base 1010 may be made of a water-soluble polymer or may contain other additives (eg, disaccharides). In addition, the base 1010 preferably does not contain drugs or active ingredients.

Base 1010 may include a biocompatible material. The base 1010 may select a biocompatible material selected as a base material of the microneedle 1020 to be described later as a base material.

The microneedles 1020 protrude from the surface of the base 1010 and may be provided in plurality. The microneedle 1020 is formed of a base material (BM), and the base material (BM) may include a biocompatible material and an additive.

Biocompatible materials include carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hyaluronic acid (HA), alginic acid, pectin, carrageenan, chondroitin sulfate, dex Tran Sulfate, Chitosan, Polylysine, Carboxymethyl Chitin, Fibrin, Agarose, Pullulan, Polyanhydride , polyorthoester, polyetherester, polyesteramide, poly butyric acid, poly valeric acid, polyacrylate, Ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer, acrylic substituted cellulose acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl imidazole, chlorosulphonate polyolefins , polyethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), carboxymethylcellulose, cyclodextrin (Cyclodextrin), maltose, lactose, trehalose, cellobiose, isomaltose, turanose, and lactulose, or containing at least one of , At least one polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose and a copolymer of monomers forming such a polymer.

The additives are trehalose, oligosaccharide, sucrose, maltose, lactose, cellobiose, hyaluronic acid, alginic Alginic acid, Pectin, Carrageenan, Chondroitin Sulfate, Dextran Sulfate, Chitosan, Polylysine, Collagen, Gelatin, Carboxymethyl Chitin ( carboxymethyl chitin), fibrin, agarose, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polymethacrylate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), ethylcellulose (EC), Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), carboxymethyl cellulose, cyclodextrin, gentiobiose, alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (Cetrimide), hexadecyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) , Gentian Violet, benzethonium chloride, docusate sodium salt, a SPAN-type surfactant, polysorbate (Tween), lauryl It may include at least one of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), benzalkonium chloride, and glyceryl oleate.

Hyaluronic acid is used to include not only hyaluronic acid but also hyaluronic acid salts (eg, sodium hyaluronate, potassium hyaluronate, magnesium hyaluronate and calcium hyaluronate) and mixtures thereof. Hyaluronic acid is used as a meaning including cross-linked hyaluronic acid and/or non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hyaluronic acid of the present invention has a molecular weight of 2 kDa to 5000 kDa.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the hyaluronic acid of the present invention has a molecular weight of 100-4500, 150-3500, 200-2500 kDa, 220-1500 kDa, 240-1000 kDa or 240-490 kDa.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) may use CMC of various known molecular weights. For example, the average molecular weight of CMC used in the present invention is 90,000 kDa, 250,000 kDa or 700,000 kDa.

The disaccharide may include sucrose, lactulose, lactose, maltose, trehalose, or cellobiose, and may include sucrose, maltose, or trehalose in particular.

As an optional embodiment, an adhesive may be included. The adhesive is at least one adhesive selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane, hyaluronic acid, physical adhesive (Gecko), poly acrylic, ethyl cellulose, hydroxy methyl cellulose, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyisobutylene.

As an alternative embodiment, the microneedle 1020 may additionally include metal, a high molecular weight polymer, or an adhesive.

The microneedle 1020 may have various shapes. The microneedle 1020 may have a cone shape. For example, the microneedle 1020 may have a polygonal shape such as a cone shape, a triangular pyramid shape, or a quadrangular pyramid shape. In addition, although the drawings show that the microneedle 1020 disposed on the microneedle patch 1000 has the same shape, it is not limited thereto and may have different shapes.

The microneedle 1020 has a very high aspect ratio at the tip. Therefore, the tip of the microneedle 1020 must be manufactured very precisely. When the microneedle 1020 reaches a predetermined height (H) or predetermined width (D), the tip tip may be formed by finely adjusting the size or spacing of the ink dropped into the microneedle 1020.

12 and 13 are views showing modified examples of FIG. 11 .

Referring to FIG. 12 , the microneedle patch 1000A includes a base 1010 and microneedles 1020A, and the microneedle 1020A may include an active ingredient (EM).

The microneedle manufacturing apparatus may print the microneedle 1020A using the base material (BM) mixed with the active ingredient (EM) as ink.

The microneedle 1020A may include a pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic active ingredient (EM) in at least a portion thereof. For example, as non-limiting examples, active ingredients include, but are not limited to, protein/peptide drugs, hormones, hormone analogues, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, signaling proteins or parts thereof, antibodies or parts thereof, single chain antibodies, binding It includes at least one of proteins or binding domains thereof, antigens, adhesion proteins, structural proteins, regulatory proteins, toxin proteins, cytokines, transcriptional regulators, blood coagulation factors, and vaccines. More specifically, the protein / peptide drug is insulin, IGF- 1 (insulinlike growth factor 1), growth hormone, erythropoietin, G-CSFs (granulocyte-colony stimulating factors), GM-CSFs (granulocyte / macrophage- colony stimulating factors), interferon alpha, interferon beta, interferon gamma, interleukin-1 alpha and beta, interleukin-3, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-2, epidermal growth factors (EGFs), calcitonin , adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), atobisban, buserelin, cetrorelix, deslorelin, desmopressin , dynorphin A (1-13), elcatonin, eleidosin, eptifibatide, growth hormone releasing hormone-II (GHRHII), gonadorelin ), goserelin, histrelin, leuprorelin, lypressin, octreotide, oxytocin, pitressin, secretin ), sincalide, terlipressin, thymopentin, thymosine, triptorelin, bivalirudin, carbetocin, cyclosporine, exedine, lanreotide, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), nafarelin, parathyroid hormone, pramlintide, T-20 (enfuvirtide), tymalfacin ( thymalfasin) and ziconotide. In addition, the active ingredient (EM) may be a cosmetic ingredient such as whitening, filler, wrinkle removal or antioxidant.

In one embodiment, the active ingredient (EM) may be a colloid dispersed in a solvent forming microneedles (1020A) in the form of particulates. The fine particles themselves may be an active ingredient (EM) or may include a coating material carrying the active ingredient (EM).

The active ingredient (EM) may be intensively distributed on a partial layer of the microneedle 1020A. That is, since the active ingredient EM is disposed at a specific height in the microneedle 1020A, the active ingredient EM can be effectively delivered.

In another embodiment, the active ingredient (EM) may be dissolved in the microneedles 1020A. The active ingredient (EM) may be dissolved in a base material of the microneedle 1020A, such as the aforementioned biodegradable materials, to configure the microneedle 1020A. The active ingredient (EM) may be dissolved in the base material at a uniform concentration, and may be intensively distributed at a specific height of the microneedle 1020A like the above-described fine particles.

In one embodiment, the microneedle patch 1000A may have a plurality of active ingredients (EM) according to regions. Among the plurality of microneedles, a microneedle of a first group contains a first active ingredient among the plurality of active ingredients, and a microneedle of a second group different from the first group contains a second active ingredient among the plurality of active ingredients. can include

In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic active ingredient (EM) may be coated on the microneedle 1020A. The active ingredients (EM) may be coated on the entire microneedle 1020A or only a portion of the microneedle 1020A. Alternatively, a portion of the coating layer of the microneedle 1020A may be coated with the first active ingredient, and the other portion may be coated with the second active ingredient.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the microneedle patch 1000B may include a base 1010 and microneedles 1020B.

The microneedle 1020B is shown in FIG. 13 in that the first needle portion 1021B and the second needle portion 1022B have a layered structure, but is not limited thereto and may have various shapes. For example, the first needle portion 1021B and the second needle portion 1022B may each have a different unique shape. However, in the following, for convenience of description, an embodiment in which the microneedle 1020B has a layered structure will be mainly described.

The microneedle 1020B may have a plurality of stacked layers. The number of layers forming the microneedle 1020B is not limited to a specific number, but for convenience of description, the microneedle 1020B includes a first needle portion 1021B and a second needle portion 1022B having a layered structure. ) Will be described focusing on an embodiment having.

The first needle portion 1021B and the second needle portion 1022B may be formed of different base materials. The first needle portion 1021B may be formed of a first base material as first ink, and the second needle portion 1022B may be formed of a second base material different from the first base material as second ink.

The microneedle manufacturing apparatuses 100 and 200 print the first needle portion 1021B by first dropping the first ink, and drop the second ink on the first needle portion 1021B to print the second needle portion 1022B. ) can be printed.

Since the physical properties of the first ink and the second ink are different, the controller 150 may control the power unit 140 according to the physical properties.

In detail, in order to print the first needle unit 1021B, the controller 150 may control the power unit 140 to set the magnitude and waveform of the voltage according to the characteristics of the first ink. In addition, in order to print the second needle unit 1022B, the controller 150 may control the power unit 140 to set the magnitude and waveform of the voltage according to the characteristics of the second ink.

At this time, since the second needle portion 1022B should be formed more pointedly than the first needle portion 1021B and have a smaller width D, the second ink should drop precisely from the nozzle unit 130 . The controller 150 may control the voltage and/or waveform of the power unit 140 in consideration of the aspect ratio of the second needle part 1022B.

Since the first ink and the second ink have different physical properties, the optical unit may adjust the intensity or wavelength of the irradiated light in consideration of the physical properties of the first ink and the second ink.

In detail, in order to print the first needle portion 1021B, the optical unit may adjust the wavelength or intensity of light according to the characteristics of the first ink. In addition, in order to print the second needle portion 1022B, the optical unit may set the wavelength or intensity of light according to the characteristics of the second ink.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a microneedle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14 , the microneedle manufacturing method includes forming an electric field between a nozzle unit and a substrate (S10), supplying ink, which is a biocompatible material, to the nozzle unit (S20), and supplying the ink to the nozzle unit. It may include a step (S30) of being dropped on the substrate and forming microneedles in a height direction of the substrate.

In step S10 of forming an electric field between the nozzle unit and the substrate, a strong electric field may be formed between the nozzle units 130 and 230 and the substrate 110 and 210 . The power unit 140 may apply a voltage to the substrates 110 and 210 and the nozzle units 130 and 230 to form a strong electric field between the substrates 110 and 210 and the nozzle units 130 and 230 . The controller 150 may control the power unit 140 to control the magnitude and waveform of power applied to the substrates 110 and 210 and the nozzle units 130 and 230 .

In step S20 of supplying ink, which is a biocompatible material, to the nozzle unit, ink is supplied to the nozzle units 130 and 230 . A base material used as a material for the microneedle is a biocompatible material, and is stored in the nozzle as ink.

In step S30 in which the ink is dropped on the substrate from the nozzle unit and microneedles are formed in the height direction of the substrate, the ink is dropped on the substrates 110 and 210 so that microneedles can be printed. When ink is deposited on top of the substrates 110 and 210 in reverse order, the sharp tips of the microneedles may be disposed at the most distant part from the surface of the substrates.

The controller 150 may control the position adjusting units 160 and 260 to adjust the positions of the substrates 110 and 210 or the nozzle units 130 and 230 . Also, the controller 150 may adjust an electric field between the nozzle units 130 and 230 and the substrates 110 and 210 . By the control signal of the controller 150, the microneedle can be manufactured very elaborately and precisely.

In step S30 in which the ink is dropped on the substrate from the nozzle unit and microneedles are formed in the height direction of the substrate, the optical units 180 and 280 drop on the substrate 110 and 210 ), the microneedle may be cured by irradiating light to the ink.

The optical units 180 and 280 may adjust the wavelength or intensity of light according to the physical properties of ink or the shape and location of microneedles to be manufactured. In addition, the optical unit 280 may adjust the wavelength or intensity of light by adjusting the distance between the light source 281 and the lens unit 282 or by adjusting the distance between the lens unit 282 and the focus lens 283. . In addition, the optical unit 280 adjusts the distance between the light source 281 and the lens unit 282 or the distance between the lens unit 282 and the focus lens 283 to adjust the back focal length (BFL) length) can be adjusted. In addition, the optical unit 280 may adjust the aperture 284 to adjust the amount of light irradiated to the target position.

The microneedle manufacturing method according to the present invention can precisely and precisely manufacture a microneedle patch with a high aspect ratio using electrohydrodynamic printing.

15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a microneedle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the microneedle manufacturing method includes forming an electric field between the nozzle unit and the substrate (S110), supplying first ink from the driving unit to the nozzle unit (S120), and supplying the first ink to the nozzle unit. forming a first needle part by dropping it on a substrate (S130), curing the first needle part (S140), supplying second ink from the driving unit to the nozzle unit (S150), and supplying the second ink to the nozzle unit (S150). It may include forming a first needle part by dropping it on the first needle part in the unit (S160) and curing the second needle part (S170).

The microneedle patch manufactured by the above manufacturing method may have a layered structure formed of a plurality of base materials. That is, the microneedle may include a first needle part formed of the first ink and a second needle part formed of the second ink. Accordingly, the manufacturing method may form the first needle portion by dropping the first ink on the substrate, and then form the second needle portion by dropping the second ink on the first needle portion.

In the step of forming an electric field between the nozzle unit and the substrate ( S110 ), a strong electric field may be formed between the nozzle units 130 and 230 and the substrate 110 and 210 by driving the power supply unit 140 .

In the step of supplying the first ink from the driving unit to the nozzle unit (S120), the first ink is supplied to the nozzle units 130 and 230 to form the first needle portion 1021B.

In step S130 of forming the first needle portion by dropping the first ink on the substrate from the nozzle unit, the first needle portion 1021B may be formed by dropping the first ink.

In this case, the controller 150 may control the electric field according to the physical properties of the first ink. The controller 150 may control the voltage and waveform by controlling the power unit 140 according to physical properties of the first ink. In addition, the controller 150 may control the size and spacing of the first ink droplets in consideration of the height and width of the first needle portion 1021B or the aspect ratio of the first needle portion 1021B.

In the curing of the first needle portion ( S140 ), the first needle portion 1021B may be cured using the optical units 180 and 280 . The optical units 180 and 280 may emit light or drive a fan in consideration of curing characteristics of the first ink.

In detail, the optical units 180 and 280 may adjust the wavelength or intensity of light according to the physical properties of the first ink. In addition, the optical units 180 and 280 may adjust the irradiation position of light or the wavelength or intensity of light in consideration of the shape and position of the first needle part 1021B.

The first ink falling from the nozzle unit 130 or 230 may be cured at the same time that the first ink is deposited on the substrate 110 or 210 by being irradiated with light L emitted from the optical unit 180 or 280 . In particular, the nozzle units 130 and 230 drop the first ink drop by drop, and the light L is irradiated drop by drop to accurately cure the first ink drop, and the microneedle can be precisely manufactured. In the step of supplying the second ink from the driving unit to the nozzle unit (S150), the second ink is supplied to the nozzle unit 130 to form the second needle portion 1022B.

In step S160 of forming the first needle portion by dropping the second ink on the first needle portion from the nozzle unit, the second needle portion 1022B may be formed by dropping the second ink. In this case, the controller 150 may control the electric field according to the physical properties of the second ink. The controller 150 may control the voltage and waveform by controlling the power unit 140 according to physical properties of the second ink. Also, the controller 150 may control the size and spacing of the second ink droplets in consideration of the height and width of the second needle portion 1022B or the aspect ratio of the second needle portion 1022B.

The controller 150 may set the electric field formed when the first ink is dropped from the nozzle unit 130 and the electric field formed when the second ink is dropped from the nozzle unit 130 to be different from each other.

In the step of curing the second needle portion ( S170 ), the second needle portion 1022B may be cured using the optical unit 180 . The optical unit 180 may irradiate light or drive a fan in consideration of curing characteristics of the second ink.

In detail, the optical units 180 and 280 may adjust the wavelength or intensity of light according to the physical properties of the second ink. In addition, the optical units 180 and 280 may adjust the irradiation position of light or the wavelength or intensity of light in consideration of the shape and position of the second needle part 1022B.

The second ink falling from the nozzle unit 130 or 230 may be cured simultaneously with being deposited on the substrate 110 or 210 by being irradiated with light L emitted from the optical unit 180 or 280 . In particular, the nozzle units 130 and 230 drop the second ink drop by drop, and the light L irradiates the second ink drop by drop to accurately cure the second ink drop, and the microneedle can be precisely manufactured. .

The microneedle manufacturing method according to the present invention can precisely and precisely manufacture a microneedle patch with a high aspect ratio using electrohydrodynamic printing.

In this way, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but this is only exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. . Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Specific executions described in the embodiments are examples, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments in any way. In addition, if there is no specific reference such as "essential" or "important", it may not necessarily be a component necessary for the application of the present invention.

In the specification of the embodiments (particularly in the claims), the use of the term "above" and similar indicating terms may correspond to both singular and plural. In addition, when a range is described in the examples, it includes the invention to which individual values belonging to the range are applied (unless there is no description to the contrary), and it is as if each individual value constituting the range is described in the detailed description. . Finally, if there is no explicit description or description of the order of steps constituting the method according to the embodiment, the steps may be performed in an appropriate order. Examples are not necessarily limited according to the order of description of the steps. The use of all examples or exemplary terms (eg, etc.) in the embodiments is simply to describe the embodiments in detail, and the scope of the embodiments is limited due to the examples or exemplary terms unless limited by the claims. It is not. In addition, those skilled in the art can appreciate that various modifications, combinations and changes can be made according to design conditions and factors within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.

Claims (12)

1. Board;

   a nozzle unit receiving a base material, which is a biocompatible material, as ink and discharging it to the substrate;

   a power unit supplying power to the nozzle unit to form a magnetic field between the substrate and the nozzle unit; and

   A microneedle manufacturing apparatus comprising: an optical unit irradiating light to the ink dropped on the substrate.
2. According to claim 1,

   The optical unit

   light source;

   a lens unit disposed to be spaced apart from the light source; and

   A microneedle manufacturing apparatus having a; spaced apart from the lens unit and disposed adjacent to the substrate.
3. According to claim 2,

   The optical unit

   A guide frame extending in one direction; further comprising,

   At least one of the lens unit and the focus lens is disposed to be movable along the guide frame.
4. According to claim 1,

   The optical unit

   Microneedle manufacturing apparatus for irradiating the light to the top of the ink dropped on the substrate.
5. According to claim 1,

   The nozzle unit sequentially ejects first ink and second ink, which are different base materials, to the substrate,

   The microneedle manufacturing apparatus having a multilayer structure of the first ink and the second ink on the substrate.
6. According to claim 5,

   The optical unit

   A microneedle manufacturing apparatus that adjusts the intensity of the light or the wavelength of the irradiated light in consideration of the physical properties of the first ink and the second ink.
7. According to claim 1,

   Microneedle manufacturing apparatus further comprising; a guide block having a slit through which the light irradiated from the optical unit passes.
8. According to claim 1,

   The microneedle manufacturing apparatus further comprising a; sensor unit sensing the ink dropped from the nozzle unit.
9. forming an electric field between the nozzle unit and the substrate;

   supplying ink, which is a biocompatible material, to the nozzle unit; and

   and forming microneedles in a height direction of the substrate by dropping the ink from the nozzle unit onto the substrate.
10. According to claim 9,

    Forming microneedles in the height direction of the substrate

    A method of manufacturing a microneedle, wherein an optical unit irradiates light to the ink dropped on the substrate to cure the microneedle.
11. According to claim 9,

    The microneedle has a first needle part and a second needle part formed of different base materials,

    Forming microneedles in the height direction of the substrate

    A method of manufacturing a microneedle, wherein a first ink is dropped on the substrate to form a first needle portion, and then a second ink is dropped on the first needle portion to form the second needle portion.
12. According to claim 11,

    Forming microneedles in the height direction of the substrate

    The optical unit irradiates a first light irradiated to the first ink and a second light irradiated to the second ink, wherein the first light and the second light have different wavelengths or intensities. .

Images