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Polymeric Microneedle Array Fabrication by Photolithography
Published on: November 17, 2015
Polymer microneedles for transdermal drug delivery
Jeong Woo Lee1, Mee-Ree Han2, Jung-Hwan Park2
1a School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
Journal of Drug Targeting
|November 22, 2012
Summary
Polymer microneedles offer a promising approach for transdermal drug delivery, overcoming the stratum corneum barrier. Their fabrication, properties, and applications are reviewed for controlled delivery of chemical and biological agents.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- The stratum corneum presents a significant barrier to transdermal drug delivery.
- Microneedle technology offers a potential solution for enhanced percutaneous absorption.
- Various polymers are being explored for microneedle fabrication due to their tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the key features of polymer microneedles for drug delivery.
- To discuss fabrication methods, material choices, and properties of polymer microneedles.
- To highlight the applications and potential of polymer microneedles in transdermal delivery.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on polymer microneedle fabrication and characterization.
- Analysis of different polymer types (biocompatible, biodegradable, water-soluble) for microneedle applications.
- Evaluation of mechanical and drug delivery properties of polymer microneedles.
Main Results:
- Polymer microneedles can be fabricated using various biocompatible, biodegradable, and water-soluble polymers.
- Polymer properties allow for controlled drug release kinetics based on solubility and degradation.
- Microneedles demonstrate ease of fabrication, cost-effectiveness, and potential for mass production.
Conclusions:
- Polymer microneedles represent a promising platform for efficient transdermal delivery of chemical and biological agents.
- The versatility of polymers enables tailoring microneedle characteristics for specific drug delivery needs.
- Further research into polymer microneedles can advance transdermal therapeutic strategies.
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