JP7768565B2 - Needle applicators and needle injection kits - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a needle applicator and a puncture injection kit including the needle applicator.

In recent years, microneedle masks have become known, which allow active ingredients to penetrate the skin by attaching dissolving microneedles to the skin and leaving them there (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in mask-type microneedles like those in Patent Document 1, the microneedles and active ingredients are formed as a single unit, so they need to be left on for a long time in order for the cosmetic ingredients dissolved in the microneedles to be delivered into the skin. Furthermore, the cosmetic ingredients that can be integrated with the microneedles are limited.

On the other hand, a technology has been proposed in which an applicator is provided with a spring as an elastic member, and when applying the microneedles to the skin, the biasing force of the spring is transmitted to the microneedles, causing them to descend within the applicator and come into contact with the skin (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

There is also a technology in which the patch is attached to the skin using an adhesive portion that extends outward from the patch, and when in use, the patch is pressed down with one finger to inject the medicinal liquid from the patch (see Patent Document 3).

Furthermore, Patent Document 4 proposes that a micro-projection device made by bonding two sheets together, a bottom sheet with micro-projections on the contact surface and an top sheet, be used by pressing down with a finger from above when piercing the skin with the micro-projections to dispense the liquid contents.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-051354 WO2017/038499 Japanese Patent No. 4815095 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-96790

However, when using a spring to raise and lower the microneedle, as in Patent Document 2, a mechanism for raising and lowering the microneedle is required, which results in an increased applicator size. Furthermore, to avoid affecting the spring inside the applicator, the drug is applied to the surface of the microneedle in advance, or the microneedle itself is formed to contain the drug, which means that the content of the active ingredient is low, and liquid active ingredients cannot be used.

On the other hand, if a patch is provided with an adhesive part as in Patent Document 3, there is a possibility that, particularly when applied to the face, the adhesive components in the patch may cause skin irritation or remove dead skin cells when the patch is removed, resulting in adverse effects.

Furthermore, the technology in Patent Document 4 is constructed by bonding two sheets together, which makes it prone to tilting during use and unstable. Furthermore, because the sheets are bonded together, the sides are thin, making it impossible to press down from above while grasping the sides from the side.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a needle applicator that is small, easy to hold, and can be pressed with the fingers to stably contact the target object, thereby delivering liquid active ingredients into the target object.

In order to solve the above problem, in one aspect of the present invention,
A needle applicator for delivering a liquid into or onto a surface of a target object through or near a plurality of fine needles,
a base portion having a side wall and a support wall connected to an inner surface of the side wall near a lower end thereof and having a flow hole formed therein, the base portion having an open top;
a needle plate provided with a plurality of downwardly directed fine needles to be inserted into the object, with through holes formed therethrough in the thickness direction, and attached to the lower end of the support wall;
an absorbent member that is impregnated with liquid and can be fitted inside the upper side of the support wall;
and a pressing member that presses the absorbing member.

According to one aspect, the needle applicator is small and easy to hold, and can be pressed with a finger to stably contact the object, allowing the liquid active ingredient to be delivered into the object.

1 is a perspective schematic view of a needle applicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the needle applicator according to the first embodiment. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the injection of a liquid using a hollow needle in the needle applicator according to the first embodiment. 10A and 10B are views showing modified examples of the communication holes of the lower frame portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are explanatory views of the injection hole and the needle-like protrusion of the needle applicator according to the fourth embodiment, and the penetration of the contents by the needle-like protrusion. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) showing a modified example of the needle-shaped protrusions provided on the needle plate according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) showing a modified example of the needle-shaped protrusions provided on the needle plate according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 3) showing a modified example of the needle-shaped protrusions provided on the needle plate according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a needle applicator according to an application example of the present invention. 13 is a schematic diagram of a needle injection kit including the needle applicator of FIG. 12. 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure for using the puncture and injection kit of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for using the puncture and injection kit of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted.

The present invention relates to a needle applicator and a puncture and injection kit including the needle applicator. The part of the needle applicator of the present invention that punctures a target object such as skin is a hollow needle or a needle-like protrusion (solid needle). The needle applicator of the present invention can use this hollow needle or needle-like protrusion to inject contents into the skin and also apply contents to the surface of the skin.

While human skin is primarily envisioned as an example of an object to which a liquid can be applied using the needle applicator of the present invention, the object can also be animal skin, or the surface of plant stems, trunks, or leaves. Alternatively, the object may be, but is not limited to, tissue such as skin or organs removed from a human subject or test animal, or inorganic materials such as silicone membranes or urethane sheets.

First Embodiment
A needle applicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. First, the configuration of the needle applicator 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the needle applicator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the needle applicator 1 according to the first embodiment.

The needle applicator of the present invention is a stamp-type puncture and injection device that delivers liquid into or onto the surface of a target object (e.g., skin) through or near multiple fine needles.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the needle applicator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a base portion 10, a needle plate 20, an absorbent member 30, and a pressing member 40.

The base 10 is a support (housing) that is open at the top and includes a side wall 11 and a support wall 15. The side wall 11 is a cylindrical peripheral wall. The support wall 15 is connected to the inner surface near the bottom end of the side wall 11, extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the side wall 11, and forms a lower surface that covers the bottom of the base 10.

The side wall 11 is bounded by the support wall 15, with the upper side of the support wall 15 being the storage wall 111 and the lower side of the support wall 15 being the leg portion 112. The lower end of the leg portion 112 of the side wall 11 is formed by a thin-walled portion 12 that is thinner on the inside than the other portions, creating a step, and the downward surface of the step between the thick-walled portion and the thin-walled portion 12 forms the lower frame portion 13. Furthermore, there is a step between the lower frame portion 13 and the lower surface 15L of the support wall 15 due to the thick portion of the leg portion 112, and the inner surface of the thick portion of the leg portion 112 forms the liquid stop wall portion 14. The thin-walled portion 12 can be made the same thickness as the side wall 11 or thicker than the side wall 11, for example, by increasing the outer diameter of the leg portion 112.

In this embodiment, one flow hole (upstream flow hole) 16 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the center of the support wall 15.

The base portion 10 is made of resins such as thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBS), polyacetal (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), and polyether ether ketone (PEEC), and biodegradable resins such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA).

The needle applicator 1 of the present invention is small, and for example, the outer diameter of the side wall 11 of the base portion 10 is approximately 8 to 50 mm, more preferably approximately 10 to 40 mm. Note that while the outer shape of the side wall 11 is generally circular in this example, the shape of the outer shape of the side wall 11 when viewed from above may be different, such as an ellipse, rectangle, polygon, rounded polygon, or generally semicircular.

The height of the side wall 11 of the base 10 is approximately 6 to 30 mm, and more preferably approximately 8 to 20 mm. Having the side wall 11 at least 6 mm allows the user to grasp the side wall 11 from the outside. The thickness of the side wall 11 is approximately 1 to 10 mm, and more preferably approximately 1 to 5 mm.

The needle plate 20 is a plate provided with multiple downward-facing fine needles to be inserted into the target object. In this embodiment, the needle plate 20 is fitted into the inner periphery of the thin-walled portion 12, below the lower frame portion 13 of the leg portion 112 of the base portion 10. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, the needle plate 20 is attached to the base portion 10 below the lower surface 15L of the support wall 15, separated by the distance of the liquid stop wall portion 14.

In this embodiment, the needle plate 20 has a plate body 21 and hollow needles 23 as fine needles.

The plate body 21 has multiple individual flow paths 22 formed as through-holes. Multiple hollow needles 23 protrude from the abutment surface 21L, which is the underside of the plate body 21, and the upper ends of the hollow portions 24 communicate with the lower ends of the multiple individual flow paths 22. In this embodiment, the microneedles are hollow needles 23, so the liquid contents pass through the hollow portions 24 inside the needles.

In this embodiment, the liquid flows along a two-stage flow path, with the flow holes 16 in the support wall 15 serving as the upstream flow path and the individual flow paths 22 in the plate body 21 serving as the downstream flow path. The liquid discharged from the individual flow paths 22 to the outside (below) of the abutment surface 21L of the plate body 21 passes through the hollow portion 24 of the connected hollow needle 23 and is injected into the object through the needle hole at the tip of the hollow needle 23. While Figure 2 shows an example in which the hollow portion 24 of the hollow needle 23 is formed in a position offset from the center, the hollow portion 24 of the hollow needle 23 may also be located in the center.

The needle plate 20 containing multiple hollow needles 23 is preferably made of a biocompatible material, including biodegradable resins such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, and polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid copolymer, but may also be made of a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBS), polyacetal (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), or polyether ether ketone (PEEC).

The length of each of the multiple hollow needles 23 in the needle plate 20 is approximately 0.005 to 5 mm, more preferably approximately 0.01 to 3 mm, and the diameter around the base of the hollow needle 23 is in the range of 0.002 to 5 mm, more preferably 0.005 to 3 mm. It is also preferable that the multiple hollow needles 23 are spaced apart from each other by approximately 0.1 mm to 10 mm or more.

The absorbent member 30 is impregnated with liquid. The absorbent member 30 may be pre-impregnated with liquid or may be impregnated immediately before use. The absorbent member 30 is fitted inside the side wall 11 of the base 10 and can be fitted to the upper side of the support wall 15. When fitting the absorbent member 30 into the base 10, it is preferable to set the lower surface 30L of the absorbent member 30 so that it abuts the upper surface 15U of the support wall 15.

The absorbent member 30 is made of a permeable material, such as a sponge (puff), cotton, or nonwoven fabric, which is made of a material that gradually allows liquid to pass through.

The pressing member 40 comprises a columnar pressing body 41 and an elastic portion 42 provided at the lower end of the pressing body 41. A portion of the pressing member 40 can be fitted inside the side wall 11 of the base portion 10. The pressing member 40 is fitted onto the absorbing member 30 in the base portion 10 and pressed down along the inner circumferential surface 11I of the side wall 11.

When using the pressing body 41, the user presses the upper surface 41U to inject liquid into an object. The pressing body 41 is made of a resin, such as a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBS), polyacetal (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), or polyether ether ketone (PEEC), or a biodegradable resin such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), or polylactic-glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA).

The elastic portion 42 seals the absorbent member 30 from above when the pressing member 40 is fitted onto the absorbent member 30. The elastic portion 42 is made of, for example, a thin rubber or elastomer packing (sealing element), and being made of such a material can prevent liquid leakage and the intrusion of foreign matter.

The diameter of the pressing member 40 is, for example, approximately 10 to 30 mm, more preferably approximately 15 to 25 mm, and the height of the pressing member 40 is 30 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less, but the size of the pressing member 40 is set appropriately according to the size of the side wall 11. In particular, the elastic portion 42 is set to a size that allows it to fit closely against the inner surface 11I of the side wall 11. The shape of the upper surface of the pressing member 40 is also set appropriately according to the shape of the outer shape of the side wall 11 when viewed from above.

Also, the pressing member 40 may be configured so that it is pressed in by rotating it rather than by being pushed in. A part of the pressing member 40 (internal thread) fits into the outer side surface (external thread) of the base, and the sponge is pressed and injected by screwing it in. For example, a pressing member configured in this way may be configured so that it is screwed in before injection, and can be injected by pressing a button when injecting.

(Injection in the first embodiment)
Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the injection of a content by the hollow needle 23 in the needle applicator 1 according to the first embodiment. In Figure 3, (a) is a perspective view showing the state in which the hollow needle 23 has punctured the object, and (b) is a perspective view showing the state in which liquid is being injected into the object via the hollow needle 23. The injection operation in the needle applicator 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

Before reaching the state shown in Figure 3(a), the user grasps the side wall 11 of the base portion 10 of the needle applicator 1 and lightly places the needle applicator 1 on the object (e.g., skin) O to position it.

As shown in Figure 3(a), when the side wall 11 of the needle applicator 1 is pressed, the multiple hollow needles 23 pierce the object O. At this time, the needles may be pierced by, for example, pushing the upper end 11U of the side wall 11 into the object with the user's finger, or by grasping the outer surface 11O of the side wall 11 with two fingers and pushing it into the object.

Then, as shown in Figure 3 (b), when the pressing member 40 of the needle applicator 1 is pressed, the liquid is sent (injected) from the hollow needle 23 into the interior of the object O.

More specifically, when the pressing member 40 presses against the surface of the absorbing member 30, the absorbing member 30 contracts, causing the liquid to flow, and the liquid contained in the absorbing member 30 is sent to the central flow hole 16 of the support wall 15. The liquid that flows downward from the flow hole 16 then spreads into the space surrounded by the lower surface 15L of the support wall 15, the upper surface 21U of the plate body 21, and the liquid stop wall portion 14 of the leg portion 112, and is sent to the multiple individual flow paths 22. The liquid then flows from the individual flow paths 22 toward each of the multiple hollow needles 23, and enters the interior of the object O via each of the hollow portions 24 of the multiple hollow needles 23.

When the needle applicator 1 of the present invention does not have the function of adhering to an object, the user must continue to press the needle applicator 1 against the object during the period shown in Figure 3(b) by pressing the upper surface 41U of the pressing member 40 and, if necessary, by grasping the side wall 11 of the base portion 10. This pressing period is approximately 1 second to 30 minutes (more preferably, several seconds to several minutes).

After the state shown in Figure 3(b), the user grasps the side wall 11 of the base portion 10 of the needle applicator 1 and pulls it away from the object O, thereby withdrawing the hollow needle 23 from the object.

In this way, with the needle plate 20 of this embodiment, the liquid contents are injected directly into the interior of the object O through the pinholes at the tips of the hollow needles 23, without spreading over the surface. With such hollow needles 23, the liquid can be efficiently injected directly into the skin through the pinholes at the tips and penetrated, so the effects of gravity can be ignored. Therefore, for example, even if the needle applicator 1 is used sideways with the skin of the cheek as the target, or upside down with the underside of the chin as the target, the liquid contents can be applied to the skin without dripping.

Here, because the needle applicator 1 of the present invention has a side wall 11 of the base 10, the user can inject liquid into the target object while grasping the side wall 11. Therefore, compared to a structure in which the sheet with the needle is supported with just one finger, the patch can be maintained in a stable state relative to the target object while waiting for injection during use. This allows the hollow needle 23 to be pressed evenly into the target object, and because the hollow needle 23 does not shift, the hole in the target object can be prevented from becoming larger.

Alternatively, even if the user supports the absorbent member 30 by pressing it with only one finger during use, the present invention provides an appropriate thickness for the side wall 11 of the base 10 of the needle applicator 1, allowing the user to grasp the side wall 11 from the side with one hand to position it, and then, without changing that position, press the absorbent member 30 from above with a finger other than the one used for positioning. In this mode of use, even if the needle applicator 1 tilts when pressed from above, for example, the appropriate thickness of the side wall 11 of the base 10 minimizes tilting, and the hollow needle 23 barely shifts, preventing the hole made in the target object from becoming larger than necessary.

(Modification of the flow holes)
Although the example in which one through hole 16 is provided in the center of the support wall 15 has been described above, the number of through holes does not have to be one. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of the through hole of the support wall according to the first embodiment.

In this modified example, the flow hole 161 is a divided flow hole consisting of four partial flow holes 162a to 162d, due to the provision of a reinforcing plate 163 that divides the single flow hole. By providing the reinforcing plate 163, strength can be ensured even if the diameter of the flow hole 161 is increased.

Even if the diameter of the flow hole 161, which is the sum of the four partial flow holes 162a to 162d, is the same as the diameter of the flow hole 16, by providing a reinforcing plate 163, the flow hole 161 can have a smaller inflow amount into the object per unit time than the flow hole 16. The optimal value for the inflow amount into the object per unit time differs depending on the characteristics of the liquid contained, so it is preferable to select the number of divisions of the flow hole 161 by using or not using a reinforcing plate 163 and increasing or decreasing the number of reinforcing plates 163, depending on the specifications as appropriate.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the support wall 15 had one circulation hole 16 in the center, but in this embodiment, the support wall 15A has multiple circulation holes 17a to 17e scattered throughout.

Note that Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view and shows five flow holes 17a to 17e on the same cross section as an example, but in reality, multiple flow holes 17a to 17e are scattered across the surface of the support wall 15A, and the number can be selected as appropriate.

In the first embodiment, when the pressing member 40 pressed, the absorbing member 30 contracted, causing the liquid to flow and collect at the central flow hole 16 of the support wall 15. The liquid that flowed downward from the flow hole 16 then spread radially outward in the space surrounded by the lower surface 15L of the support wall 15, the upper surface 21U of the plate body 21, and the liquid stop wall portion 14 of the leg portion 112, and was sent to the multiple individual flow paths 22.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the multiple flow holes 17a to 17e in the support wall 15A are dispersed, so that the liquid that flows as the absorbent member 30 contracts is sent to the multiple flow holes 17a to 17e without collecting in the center, and the liquid that flows from the flow holes 17a to 17e to the lower side of the support wall 15A spreads radially outward and is sent to the multiple individual flow paths 22 located nearby.

In other words, in this embodiment, the two-stage flow path has multiple, dispersed flow holes 17a-17e, which serve as the upstream flow paths, shortening the distance the liquid travels from the lower surface 30L of the absorbent member 30 to the upstream flow path. Furthermore, the dispersed flow path holes 17 shorten the distance from the upstream flow path to the downstream flow path (individual flow paths 22), thereby shortening the overall distance the liquid travels. Therefore, the configuration of this embodiment can increase the amount of liquid flowing into the target object per unit time. Note that the optimal amount of liquid flowing into the target object per unit time varies depending on the characteristics of the liquid contained therein, so it is preferable to increase or decrease the number of flow holes 17a-17e and select the diameter size of the flow holes 17a-17e as appropriate according to the specifications.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the first and second embodiments, the base portion 10 (10A) and the needle plate 20 were formed as separate bodies, but the functions of the base portion and the needle plate may be integrated into a single component. Below, the configuration of this embodiment will be described, focusing only on the differences from the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the base 50 is a needle-equipped base that has a side wall 51 and a needle plate 52, which is the bottom wall, and is open at the top. The side wall 51 is a cylindrical peripheral wall.

The needle plate 52 is an underside that connects to the inner surface of the lowest end of the side wall 51, extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the side wall 51, and covers the lower part of the base portion 50.

The needle plate 52 is provided with a plurality of hollow needles 54, which are fine needles facing downward and are inserted into the target object. The needle plate 52 is formed with a plurality of individual flow paths 53 that penetrate the thickness direction as conducting holes. The hollow needles 54 protrude from the tip surface 52L, which is the underside of the needle plate 52, and the upper ends of the hollow portions 55 communicate with the lower ends of the individual flow paths 53.

In this embodiment, when fitting the absorbent member 30 into the base portion 50, it is preferable to set the lower surface 30L of the absorbent member 30 so that it abuts the upper surface 52U of the needle plate 52.

In this embodiment, when the pressing member 40 presses, the absorbent member 30 contracts and the liquid flows out. Instead of collecting in the center, the liquid is sent to the multiple individual flow paths 53 in the nearby needle plate 52. The liquid then flows from the individual flow paths 53 toward each of the multiple hollow needles 54, and enters the interior of the target object through each of the hollow portions 55 of the multiple hollow needles 54.

In the first and second embodiments, the liquid that flows as the absorbent member 30 contracts passes through the flow holes 16 (17a to 17e) and spreads before being sent to the multiple individual flow paths 22. However, in this embodiment, the liquid is sent directly to the individual flow paths 53 without passing through the flow holes 16 (17a to 17e), so the liquid flows along a single-stage flow path.

As a result, the distance the liquid travels is shorter, and the configuration of this embodiment allows for a greater amount of liquid to flow into the object per unit time than in the first and second embodiments.

As a manufacturing method, manufacturing the needle plate 20 separately from the base portion 10 (10A), as in the first and second embodiments, simplifies the resin molding of the base portion using, for example, a standard mold, compared to integrally forming the needle plate 52 and side wall 51 from the same material; however, this requires a process for attaching the needle plate 20 to the base portion 10. On the other hand, when molding the needle plate integrally with the base portion 50, as in the third embodiment, molding using a mold is complicated, so a three-dimensional integral molding is performed using, for example, a 3D printer, and there is no need to attach the needle plate to the base. Therefore, it is preferable to select an appropriate embodiment taking into account the amount of flow into the target object and differences in the manufacturing process.

<Fourth embodiment> (solid needle)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the first, second, and third embodiments, the microneedles provided on the needle plate were hollow needles 23 (54) through which the liquid contents passed. However, in this embodiment, the microneedles provided on the needle plate 60 are solid needle-like protrusions 63, which are structured so that the liquid contents cannot pass through the inside of the needles. Below, we will explain the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment.

The needle plate 60 in this embodiment is a plate provided with multiple downward-facing fine needles (acicular protrusions) that are inserted into the target object. In this embodiment, the needle plate 60 is fitted inside the thin-walled portion 12, below the lower frame portion 13 of the leg portion 112 of the base portion 10. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, it is attached to the base portion 10 below the lower surface 15L of the support wall 15, separated by the distance of the liquid stop wall portion 14.

In this embodiment, the needle plate 60 has a plate body 61 and a plurality of needle-like protrusions (solid needles) 63 as fine needles.

The plate body 61 has an outlet hole 62 formed as a through hole that penetrates the thickness direction. Multiple needle-shaped protrusions 63 protrude downward from the abutment surface 61L, which is the underside of the plate body 61, at positions different from the outlet hole 62.

In this embodiment, the liquid flows along a two-stage flow path, with the flow hole 16 in the support wall 15 serving as the upstream flow path and the outlet hole 62 in the plate body 61 serving as the downstream flow path. Furthermore, because the outlet hole 62 does not connect to the flow path of the needle-shaped protrusion 63, the liquid discharged from the outlet hole 62 to the outside (below) of the contact surface 61L of the plate body 61 spreads over the object.

The length of each hollow needle of the multiple needle-like protrusions 63 is approximately 0.005 to 5 mm, more preferably approximately 0.01 to 3 mm, similar to the hollow needles 23, and the diameter around the base of the needle-like protrusions 63 is in the range of 0.002 to 5 mm, more preferably 0.005 to 3 mm. It is also preferable that the multiple needle-like protrusions 63 are spaced apart from each other by approximately 0.1 mm to 10 mm or more.

In the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment described below, the circulation hole provided in the support wall 15 of the base portion 10 is shown as a single circulation hole 16 formed in the center, as in the first embodiment, but the circulation hole in the fourth and fifth embodiments may be in the shape of a circulation hole 161 divided in the center as shown in Figure 4, or multiple circulation holes 17a to 17e may be scattered throughout the plate body 61 as shown in Figure 5.

(Injection in the fourth embodiment)
8 is a transparent explanatory diagram showing the penetration of contents by the needle-like protrusions 63 in the needle applicator 4 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 3, (a) is a diagram showing the state in which the object O has been punctured by the needle-like protrusions 63, and (b) is a diagram showing the state in which liquid has penetrated into the object O via the needle-like protrusions 63. The way in which a user holds and presses the needle applicator 4 according to this embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment.

Before reaching the state shown in Figure 8(a), the user grasps the side wall 11 of the base portion 10 of the needle applicator 4 and lightly places the needle applicator 4 on the object (e.g., skin) O to position it.

As shown in Figure 8 (a), when the side wall 11 of the needle applicator 4 is pressed, multiple needle-shaped protrusions 63 pierce the object O.

Then, as shown in Figure 8 (b), when the pressing member 40 of the needle applicator 4 is pressed, the liquid spreads from the dispensing hole 62 and is sent (injected) into the interior of the object O through the hole opened by the needle-shaped protrusion 63.

More specifically, when the pressing member 40 presses against the surface of the absorbing member 30, the absorbing member 30 contracts, causing the liquid to flow, and the liquid contained in the absorbing member 30 is sent to the central flow hole 16 of the support wall 15. The liquid that flows downward from the flow hole 16 then spreads in the space surrounded by the lower surface 15L of the support wall 15, the upper surface 61U of the plate body 61, and the liquid stop wall portion 14 of the leg portion 112, and is sent to the multiple discharge holes 62.

The liquid discharged from the discharge hole 62 spreads over the surface of the object O, passes through the holes created by the multiple needle-like protrusions 63, passes near the needle-like protrusions 63, and enters the object O. More specifically, since it is difficult for liquid to enter if the solid needle-like protrusions 63 are simply left in place, the needle applicator 4 is first pressed with strong force, and then the pressure on the needle applicator 4 is reduced and the needle applicator 4 is pulled out slightly, or the pressure is reduced so that the needle applicator 4 is lifted by the reaction force from the object, creating a small gap between the needle-like protrusions 63 and the hole formed in the object O, allowing the liquid to enter the object. Alternatively, the position of the needle applicator 4 can be intentionally shifted slightly to increase the diameter of the hole formed in the object, creating a small gap between the needle-like protrusions 63 and the hole formed in the object O, allowing the liquid to enter the object.

After the state shown in Figure 8 (b), the user grasps the side wall 11 of the base portion 10 of the needle applicator 4 and pulls it away from the object O, thereby pulling the needle-shaped protrusion 63 out of the object O.

As a result, in this embodiment, the user holds the side wall 11 of the base 10 to set the position of the small needle applicator 4, or holds the side wall 11 and presses it with their fingers to bring it into contact with the object O, causing the liquid to spread over the object O and also penetrate into the inside of the object O through the holes made by the needle-like protrusions 63, which are solid needles.

Therefore, the needle applicator 4 allows the active ingredients contained in the liquid to penetrate the surface of the target object in a stable manner from both the outside and inside. For example, by pressing the small, easy-to-hold needle applicator 4 with your fingers and bringing it into contact with the skin, the liquid beauty ingredients can be applied to both the surface and inside of the skin.

<Modification of needle-like protrusions>
In the above description, an example has been shown in which the needle-like projections 63 have a conical outer shape, but the needle-like projections may have a polygonal pyramid shape or other needle shapes (star-shaped, cross-shaped, etc.).

Figures 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams showing modified examples of the needle-like protrusions 63 provided on the needle plate 60. In detail, Figure 9A shows a polygonal pyramidal-shaped needle-like protrusion 63A, Figure 9B shows a two-tiered needle-like protrusion 63B with a base (base portion) and a tip portion, and Figure 9C shows a five-pointed cone-shaped needle-like protrusion 63C.

The polygonal pyramidal shaped needle-like protrusions 63A shown in Figure 9A and the five-pointed star (five-pointed star) conical shaped needle-like protrusions 63C shown in Figure 9C have sharp corners on the sides, making them easier to puncture into an object, and are advantageous, for example, when puncturing thickened skin. Note that while Figure 9A shows a triangular pyramid as an example of a polygonal pyramid, other shapes such as a square pyramid or a pentagonal pyramid may also be used. Similarly, while Figure 9C shows a five-pointed star conical shape as an example of a star-shaped polygonal pyramid, other shapes such as a six-pointed star or a seven-pointed star may also be used.

As shown in Figure 9B, a two-stage shape with a base section below the conical tip section can eliminate the difficulty of puncturing due to deformation of the skin by providing a needle base 631 that will not pierce the target object. Note that the shape of the tip section and needle base 631 in the two-stage needle-shaped protrusion 63B shown in Figure 9B is merely an example, and other shapes may also be used.

Also, as shown in Figure 9A, conical shaped needle-like protrusions 63 and polygonal pyramidal shaped needle-like protrusions 63A may be mixed within a single needle plate 60. Furthermore, needle-like protrusions 63B and 63C as shown in Figures 9B and 9C may also be mixed with needle-like protrusions 63, 63A, 63B, and 63C of other shapes.

The height of the needle-like protrusions 63 may also be non-uniform. Furthermore, slits, tiny grooves, or irregularities may be provided on the surface of the needle-like protrusions 63. In this case, the amount of liquid used can be reduced or increased in some areas, and the penetration of liquid through holes created in the object by puncturing can be promoted.

Fifth Embodiment
10 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that a lip portion 64 is provided on a needle plate 60B.

In this embodiment, the needle plate 60B has a lip portion 64 in addition to the above-mentioned plate body 61 and multiple needle-shaped protrusions 63.

The lip portion 64 is provided on the outer edge of the abutment surface 61L, which is the underside of the plate body 61, so as to protrude downward relative to the abutment surface 61L. In this embodiment, the lip portion 64 functions as a liquid stopper. The height of the lip portion 64 is, for example, approximately 0.005 to 3 mm.

The height of the lip portion 64 from the abutment surface 61L of the plate body 61 is configured to be lower (shorter) than the height of the needle-like protrusions 63. Therefore, it is preferable to set the height of the lip portion 64 appropriately to match the length of the needle-like protrusions 63.

In this embodiment, when the pressing member 40 is pressed, the absorption member 30 contracts and liquid flows out, and the liquid contained in the absorption member 30 is sent to the central flow hole 16 of the support wall 15. The liquid that flows downward from the flow hole 16 then spreads in the space surrounded by the lower surface 15L of the support wall 15, the upper surface 61U of the plate body 61, and the liquid stop wall portion 14 of the leg portion 112, and is sent to the multiple discharge holes 62.

The liquid discharged from the dispensing hole 62 spreads into the space formed between the object, the lip portion 64, and the abutment surface 61L of the plate main body 61, and also enters the interior of the object through the holes created by the multiple needle-shaped protrusions 63.

As a result, with the needle applicator 5 according to this embodiment, the liquid that has an effective effect on the target object is spread over the target object inside the lip portion 64, and also penetrates into the target object through holes created by the solid needle-like protrusions 63. This allows the active ingredients in the liquid to penetrate the target object from both the outside and inside of the surface in a more stable manner.

At this time, the gap between the object and the contact surface 61L of the needle plate 60B is surrounded by the lip portion 64, so the liquid spreads throughout the entire area within the limited region. Specifically, in the space surrounded by the object and the lip portion 64, although liquid may initially accumulate at the bottom, once the space is filled with liquid, it will eventually spread upward. In this way, the lip portion 64 prevents liquid from leaking through the gap, allowing the active ingredient to be retained on the surface and inside of the object.

This means that, for example, even when puncturing an object from the side or from below, the small, easy-to-hold needle applicator 5 can be pressed with a finger and brought into contact with the object, allowing the liquid active ingredient to be applied to and within the surface of the object.

Sixth Embodiment
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a needle applicator 6 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In the fourth embodiment (Figure 7), the base portion 10 and the needle plate 60 are formed as separate bodies, but the functions of the base portion and the needle plate may be integrated into one component. Below, the configuration of this embodiment will be explained, focusing only on the differences from the fourth embodiment.

In this embodiment, the base 70 is a needle-equipped base that has a side wall 71 and a needle plate 72, which is the bottom wall, and is open at the top. The side wall 71 is a cylindrical peripheral wall.

The needle plate 72 is a lower surface that connects to the inner surface of the lowest end of the side wall 71, extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the side wall 71, and covers the lower part of the base portion 70.

Needle plate 72 has a number of needle-like protrusions 74, which are downward-facing fine needles that are inserted into the target object, protruding from the lower contact surface 72L. Needle plate 72 also has an injection hole 73, which serves as a through hole that penetrates the thickness direction, formed at a position different from the needle-like protrusions 74.

In this embodiment, since there is no support wall 15, when fitting the absorbent member 30 into the base portion 10, it is preferable to set the lower surface 30L of the absorbent member 30 so that it abuts the upper surface 72U of the needle plate 72.

In this embodiment, when the pressing member 40 presses, the absorbent member 30 contracts and the liquid that flows does not collect in the center, but is sent to the multiple discharge holes 73 in the nearby needle plate 72. The liquid discharged from the discharge holes 73 then spreads over the surface of the object, and enters the interior of the object through the holes created by the multiple needle-shaped protrusions 74.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the liquid that flows when the absorbent member 30 contracts passes through the flow hole 16 and expands before being sent to the outlet hole 62. However, in this embodiment, the liquid is sent directly to the outlet hole 73 without passing through the flow hole, so the liquid flows along a single-stage flow path.

As a result, the distance the liquid travels is shorter, and the configuration of this embodiment allows for a greater amount of liquid to flow into the object per unit time than in the fourth and fifth embodiments.

Here, as a manufacturing method, manufacturing the needle plate 60 separately from the base portion 10, as in the fourth embodiment, simplifies the resin molding of the base portion using, for example, a conventional mold, compared to integrally forming the needle plate 72 and side wall 71 from the same material; however, a process of attaching the needle plate 60 to the base portion 10 is required. On the other hand, when molding the needle plate 72 integrally with the base portion 70, as in the sixth embodiment, molding using a mold is complicated, so a three-dimensional integral molding is performed using, for example, a 3D printer, and there is no need to attach the needle plate to the base. Therefore, it is preferable to select an appropriate embodiment taking into account the amount of flow into the target object and differences in the manufacturing process.

In Figure 11, the integrated base portion 70 is shown to have a configuration in which the needle plate 72 does not have a lip portion, as in the fourth embodiment. However, in the integrated needle-equipped base portion of this embodiment, a lip portion may be provided on the outer edge of the abutment surface 72L of the needle plate 72, which is the underside of the base portion 70, as in the fifth embodiment.

<Application example>
In the above example, the absorbent member 30 contains one type of content, but the needle applicator of the present invention may contain two or more types of content.

Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of a needle applicator 7 relating to an application example of the present invention.

In this application example, the absorbent member 30C is pre-impregnated with a first content C1, which is a liquid or powder. Then, a second content C2, which is a liquid, is injected into the absorbent member 30C from a storage container 8 separate from the needle applicator 7 immediately before use.

In this embodiment, when the pressing member 40 is pressed and the absorbent member 30C contracts, a liquid mixture of the first contents C1 and the second contents C2 flows and passes through the interior of the hollow needles 23, which are multiple fine needles, allowing the liquid mixture to be sent into the interior of the target object.

Such a needle applicator 7 may be combined with a storage container 8 containing the second contents to form a puncture and injection kit.

<Puncture injection kit>
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a puncture injection kit 100 including the needle applicator 7 of the present invention.

The needle applicator 7 in the puncture and injection kit 100 can be disassembled into a needle contact unit α consisting of a base and a needle plate, an absorbent member 30C, and a pressing member 40. The needle contact unit α, absorbent member 30C, and pressing member 40 may be sold as a disassembled set, or may be sold assembled as the needle applicator 7 and then disassembled by the user immediately before use.

Needle contact unit α comprises a base 10 and a needle plate 20. The needle plate mounted on needle contact unit α may be either a needle plate 20 having hollow needles 23, or a needle plate 60 (60B) having needle-like protrusions 63 that are solid needles. In needle contact unit α, needle plate 20 (or 60, 60B) is pre-attached to base 10 (or 10A).

Alternatively, the needle abutment unit α may be a needle-attached base portion 50 shown in Figure 6 or a needle-attached base portion 70 shown in Figure 11.

The absorbent member 30C is impregnated with the first contents C1, which may be a powder or liquid. For example, when sold as a disassembled set, the absorbent member 30C is fitted inside the side wall 11 of the base portion 10 of the needle contact unit α immediately before use. In this case, because the absorbent member 30C is in an independent state, even if the first contents C1 is an unstable substance that is easily oxidized, the unstable substance can be sealed until immediately before use.

The storage container 8, which contains a liquid second content C2 different from the first content C1, has an absorbent member 30C fitted inside the side wall 11 of the needle contact unit α, and the second content C2 is injected from above.

Just before use, after the second contents C2 are injected, the pressing member 40 is placed on top of the absorbent member 30C, and a portion of it is fitted inside the side wall 11 of the base portion 10 of the needle abutment unit α.

In this state, by pressing the pressing member 40, the first contents C1 and second contents C2 flowing out of the absorbent member 30C are mixed and sent to the flow hole 16, and then the liquid mixture is sent through the multiple individual flow paths 22, into the interior of the multiple hollow needles 23, or near the needle-shaped protrusions 63, and at least into the interior of the object.

In Figures 12 and 13, a disassemblable needle applicator 7 having the same shape as the needle applicator 1 of the first embodiment is shown as an example of a needle applicator in the puncture and injection kit 100 to be used together with the storage container 8, but the needle applicator to be used together with the storage container may be any of the needle applicators 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) described in the first to sixth embodiments and the modified examples.

However, if it is desired to mix the first and second contents more uniformly, it is more preferable to use needle applicators 1, 4, and 5 with a long, two-stage flow path (see Figures 2, 7, and 8) so that the first contents C1 coming out of the absorbent member 30C and the second contents C2 are in contact for a long period of time while traveling through the flow path until they reach the target object.

(Kit usage procedure)
Next, the procedure for using the puncture and injection kit 100 will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure for using the puncture and injection kit 100 of the present invention. Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for using the puncture and injection kit of the present invention.

First, in step S1 of Figure 14, the absorbent member 30C containing the first contents C1 is set in the needle contact unit α. More specifically, the absorbent member 30C is fitted inside the side wall 11 of the base part 10, to which the needle plate 20 is attached at its lower end (Figure 15(a)).

Then, in step S2, the second content, liquid C2, is injected from the storage container 8 into the absorbent member 30C (Figure 15 (b)).

Then, in step S3, a portion of the pressing member 40 is fitted into the needle contact unit α on which the absorbing member 30 is set. This completes the needle applicator 7 (Figure 15(c)).

Then, in step S4, the needle applicator 7 is lightly placed on the target object (e.g., skin) O and positioned.

Next, in step S5, the side wall 11 of the base portion 10 is pressed, causing multiple hollow needles 23 to pierce the object O (Figure 15 (d)).

In step S6, by pressing the pressing member 40 from above, the first contents C1 and second contents C2 pushed out from the absorbent member 30C flow into the flow holes 16 and the multiple individual flow paths 22, and through the inside of the hollow needle 23, the liquid mixed with the first contents and the second contents is sent (injected) into the inside of the object O (Figure 15 (e)).

In addition, when the fine needles are needle-shaped protrusions 63, after the first contents C1 and second contents C2 pushed out from the absorbent member 30C flow into the flow holes 16, a liquid mixture of the first contents and the second contents is discharged onto the surface of the object from the multiple discharge holes 62, and the liquid mixture is sent to the outside and inside of the surface of the object by passing near the multiple needle-shaped protrusions 63.

Then, in step S7, the hollow needle 23 is pulled out from the object O by grasping the side wall 11 of the base portion 10 and moving it away from the object O (Figure 15 (f)).

In this way, the puncture injection kit 100 is a single-use kit that is assembled immediately before use, and after additional contents are injected and a liquid containing two types of contents is administered to the subject.

In this application example, the first content contained in the absorbent member 30C may be a powder or granules that can be dissolved in a liquid. For example, by impregnating the absorbent member 30C with a drug or other substance that is unstable in solution as the first content and drying it, the drug can be dissolved in a second liquid (liquid agent) at the time of use while maintaining its stability, and applied to the target (e.g., skin) in a fresh state.

Alternatively, if the first contents contained in the absorbent member 30C are liquid, the mixture of the first contents and the second contents may be unstable, but may be a drug or the like that is effective when applied together.

(Contents)
In the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the contents (liquid substances) used in the needle applicators and puncture injection kits are described as cosmetic substances, but the contents may also be selected from the group consisting of cell suspensions, gel-like materials, therapeutic substances, and diagnostic substances.

Cosmetic substances include common cosmetic substances that can be included in cosmetic compositions and cosmetic substances used in cosmetic medicine. Common cosmetic substances include, but are not limited to, ascorbic acid and its derivatives, tranexamic acid, arbutin, and 4-MSK (4-methoxysalicylic acid potassium salt) for whitening purposes, and retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and its derivatives for anti-wrinkle purposes.

Injected cosmetic substances may include, but are not limited to, fillers such as fat cells, hyaluronic acid, or botulinum toxin (Botox) for wrinkle treatment, in addition to typical cosmetic substances that may be included in cosmetic compositions.

Therapeutic substances may include, but are not limited to, antibiotics, anesthetics, analgesics, vaccines, and antibodies.

Furthermore, the needle applicator of the present invention may be used to inject cells in suspension or cells in a liquid medium into a subject.

Additionally, the contents contained within the needle applicator may include a cell suspension mixed with growth factors or a gel-like structure. Such a gel-like structure preferably represents a mixture of extracellular matrix proteins that mimic the extracellular environment of a distinct tissue, more preferably a gel-like structure such as hyaluronic acid.

The above describes in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiment of the present invention described in the claims.

This international application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-017668, filed on February 5, 2021, and the entire contents of No. 2021-017668 are incorporated herein by reference.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Needle applicator 8 Storage container 10, 10A Base 11 Side wall 15 Support wall 16, 161, 17a to 17e Flow hole 20 Needle plate 21 Plate body 22 Individual flow path 23 Hollow needle (microneedle)
30, 30C Absorbing member 40 Pressing member 41 Pressing body 42 Elastic part 50 Base part (base part with needle)
51 Side wall 52 Needle plate (bottom wall)
53 Individual flow path 54 Hollow needle (microneedle)
60, 60B Needle plate 61 Plate body 62 Injection hole 63 Needle-like protrusion (solid needle, fine needle)
64 Lip portion 70 Base portion (base portion with needle)
71 Side wall 72 Needle plate (bottom wall)
73 Injection hole 74 Needle-like protrusion (solid needle, fine needle)
100 Puncture injection kit C1 First content of powder or liquid C2 Second content of liquid O Object α Needle contact unit

Claims (13)

A needle applicator for delivering a liquid into or onto a surface of a target object through or near a plurality of fine needles,
a base portion having a side wall and a support wall connected to an inner surface of the side wall near one end and having a central through hole, the base portion having an opening at the other end of the side wall;
an absorbent member that is impregnated with a liquid and can be fitted into the base portion;
a needle plate on which a plurality of fine needles to be inserted into the object are provided facing away from the support wall, and through holes are formed through the needle plate in the thickness direction, and the needle plate is disposed opposite the support wall across a gap by abutting against a frame portion formed by a part of the side wall on the side of the support wall opposite the absorption member;
a pressing member that presses the absorbing member,
a space between the support wall and the needle plate through which the liquid flowing through the flow holes and fed to the introducing holes spreads. A needle applicator for delivering a liquid into or onto a surface of a target object through or near a plurality of fine needles,
a base portion having a side wall and a support wall connected to an inner surface of the side wall near one end thereof, the support wall having a flow hole formed therein instead of a porous separation layer, the base portion having an opening at the other end of the side wall;
an absorbent member that is impregnated with a liquid and can be fitted into the base portion;
a needle plate on which a plurality of fine needles to be inserted into the object are provided facing away from the support wall, and through holes are formed through the needle plate in the thickness direction, and the needle plate is disposed opposite the support wall across a gap by abutting against a frame portion formed by a part of the side wall on the side of the support wall opposite the absorption member;
a pressing member that presses the absorbing member,
a space between the support wall and the needle plate through which the liquid flowing through the flow holes and fed to the introducing holes spreads. An elastic portion that seals the absorbing member is provided on the absorbing member side of the pressing member.
3. A needle applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2. The needle plate
a plate having a plurality of individual flow paths formed therein as the introducing holes penetrating in a thickness direction;
a plurality of hollow needles as the plurality of fine needles, the hollow needles protruding from the plate and communicating with the plurality of individual flow paths;
4. The needle applicator according to claim 1, wherein when the pressing member is pressed, the absorbent member contracts and liquid flows, the liquid passes through the plurality of individual flow paths and flows toward each of the plurality of hollow needles, and the liquid enters the interior of the object via each of the plurality of hollow needles. The needle plate
a plate having a pouring hole formed therein as the introduction hole penetrating through in a thickness direction;
a plurality of needle-like protrusions as the plurality of fine needles protruding from positions of the plate different from the injection holes,
4. The needle applicator according to claim 1, wherein when the pressing member is pressed, the absorption member contracts and the liquid flows, the liquid is discharged from the outlet hole of the plate, the liquid spreads over the surface of the object, and the liquid enters the inside of the object through holes formed by the multiple needle-like protrusions. The needle plate
a lip portion formed on the outer edge of the surface of the plate opposite to the absorption member,
6. The needle applicator according to claim 5, wherein when the pressing member is pressed against the base portion, the absorbent member contracts and the liquid flows, the liquid is discharged from the outlet hole of the plate, and the liquid spreads on the surface of the object within a space formed between the object, the lip portion, and the surface of the plate opposite the absorbent member, and the liquid also enters the interior of the object through holes formed by the multiple needle-like protrusions. 7. The needle applicator according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of microneedles has a length of 0.005 to 5 mm. The height of the side wall of the base is 6 to 30 mm,
8. The needle applicator of claim 1, wherein the side wall has a thickness of 1 to 10 mm. The diameter of the pressing member is 10 to 30 mm,
The needle applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the height of the pressing member is 30 mm or less. 10. The needle applicator of claim 1, wherein the needle applicator is a single-use applicator. 11. The needle applicator according to claim 1, wherein immediately before use, the absorbent member is fitted inside the side wall of the base portion, and then a part of the pressing member is fitted inside the side wall of the base portion from above the absorbent member . The absorbent member is pre-impregnated with a first content which is a powder or a liquid,
Before a portion of the pressing member is fitted onto the inside of the side wall of the base portion from above the absorbent member, a second liquid content is poured into the pressing member,
12. The needle applicator according to claim 11, wherein the absorbent member is fitted inside the side wall of the needle applicator, the second contents are injected from the open side of the base, and the pressing member is pressed with a portion of the pressing member fitted in, thereby mixing the first contents and the second contents and sending them to the conducting hole, and passing through or near the multiple fine needles, the liquid mixture being sent at least into the skin. The needle applicator of claim 12 ;
a container for containing a second content of the liquid.