Simple microneedle devices for delivery of drugs across or into biological
tissue are provided, which permit drug delivery at clinically relevant
rates across or into skin or other tissue barriers, with minimal or no
damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. The devices include a
substrate to which a plurality of hollow microneedles are attached or
integrated, and at least one reservoir, containing the drug, selectably
in communication with the microneedles, wherein the volume or amount of
drug to be delivered can be selectively altered. The reservoir can be
formed of a deformable, preferably elastic, material. The device
typically includes a means, such as a plunger, for compressing the
reservoir to drive the drug from the reservoir through the microneedles.
In one embodiment, the reservoir is a syringe or pump connected to the
substrate.