Patent ID: 6931277

Claim:
An integral structure comprising a base element and plurality of microneedles formed thereon, said microneedles suitable for penetrating the stratum corneum layer of skin, wherein said base element has a first side and a second side; said plurality of microneedles comprising a plurality of projections disposed on said outer surface of said microneedles and which extend from the second side of said base element along longitudinal axes, in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end towards a distal end, and exhibiting at least one angle with respect to said base element; and said plurality of projections being spaced apart from one another at a substantially predetermined separation distance, and said plurality of projections having a substantially uniform length, wherein: said substantially predetermined separation distance is within a range of 50–1000 microns, and said substantially uniform length is within a range of 50–3000 microns, wherein said microneedles have at least one elongate sharp edge that enhances penetration of said microneedles through the stratum corneum layer of skin, wherein said elongate sharp edge is oriented in the longitudinal direction and extends entirely from said proximal end of said microneedle to said distal end of said microneedle.