Modification of microneedles using inkjet printing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Microneedle technology offers a minimally invasive approach for transdermal drug delivery.
• Biodegradable polymers are crucial for developing safe and effective microneedle patches.
• Quantum dots provide unique imaging capabilities for tracking microneedle distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate biodegradable acid anhydride copolymer microneedles incorporating quantum dots.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties of the developed microneedles.
• To demonstrate the imaging of quantum dots within biological tissue using the fabricated microneedles.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of microneedles using visible light dynamic mask micro-stereolithography-micromolding and inkjet printing.
• Nanoindentation for assessing hardness and Young's modulus of the copolymer.
• Multiphoton microscopy for imaging quantum dots within porcine skin.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of solid biodegradable microneedles with tunable geometries.
• Quantification of mechanical properties (hardness and Young's modulus) of the copolymer.
• Demonstration of quantum dot imaging within porcine skin, confirming microneedle presence and distribution.

Conclusions:

• The combined micro-stereolithography-micromolding and inkjet printing technique is effective for creating versatile biodegradable microneedles.
• These quantum dot-loaded microneedles show potential for advanced drug delivery and in-situ monitoring.
• The developed fabrication method supports a wide range of microneedle geometries and drug compositions.