Patent ID: 7708544

Claim:
Apparatus for forming an array of microneedle structures in a polymer material, said apparatus comprising a mold assembly including at least one bore therethrough having a cavity therein defining the shape of the finished microneedle shape to be formed therein, said bore having an inlet opening and an exit opening; means for locating the polymer to be formed at one end of said cavity; means for introducing fluid into said inlet opening of said bore and into said cavity; and exhaust means for communicating with said exit opening of said bore, whereby introducing said fluid through said polymer causes said polymer to assume the shape of said cavity and said fluid forms a hollow channel to define a needle-like structure in said polymer as said fluid is exhausted through said cavity and said bore, and wherein said mold assembly includes upper and lower manifolds separated by a fluid-tight gasket disposed therebetween, and said mold forming cavity is in said upper manifold.