Patent ID: 7419481

Claim:
A method of transferring an agent through the stratum corneum of a subject, comprising the steps of: providing a microprotrusion member having one or more stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusions; placing said microprotrusion member proximate a skin site on the subject; applying a hold down force to cause the stratum corneum to be stretched; striking said microprotrusion member with an impact force, whereby said microprotrusion member imparts an energy on impact with the stratum corneum in the range of approximately 0.05-0.3 joules per cm 2 of said microprotrusion member over a penetration period no greater than 10 milliseconds, and whereby at least one of said stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusions forms a microslit through the stratum corneum of the subject; and delivering or sampling or transferring the agent through said microslits microslit.