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Polymeric Microneedle Array Fabrication by Photolithography
Published on: November 17, 2015
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Single-Step Fabrication of Computationally Designed Microneedles by Continuous Liquid Interface Production
Ashley R Johnson1, Cassie L Caudill2, John R Tumbleston3
1Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America.
Plos One
|September 9, 2016
Summary
Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) 3D printing enables rapid, mold-independent fabrication of custom microneedle arrays. This technology allows for tuneable geometries and material compositions for enhanced transdermal drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Microneedles offer a promising route for transdermal drug delivery, overcoming limitations of traditional methods.
- Fabricating microneedles with precise control over design parameters like size, shape, and spacing is challenging with conventional microfabrication techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate a novel additive manufacturing approach, Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP), for rapid microneedle array fabrication.
- To demonstrate the ability to tune microneedle geometry and material composition using CLIP technology.
Main Methods:
- Utilized CLIP, a 3D printing technique, for one-step, mold-independent manufacturing of microneedle arrays.
- Fabricated square pyramidal microneedles using various photopolymerizable materials, including trimethylolpropane triacrylate, polyacrylic acid, and derivatives of polyethylene glycol and polycaprolactone.
- Assessed the ability of fabricated microneedles to pierce ex vivo murine skin and release a model drug surrogate (rhodamine).
Main Results:
- CLIP enabled rapid prototyping (under 10 minutes per patch) of microneedle arrays with tuneable geometries (size, shape, aspect ratio, spacing).
- Demonstrated the versatility of CLIP in utilizing diverse materials for potential therapeutic encapsulation and controlled release.
- Confirmed effective skin penetration and drug surrogate release by the fabricated microneedles.
Conclusions:
- CLIP represents a significant advancement in microneedle fabrication, offering unprecedented control and speed.
- This technology facilitates the development of customized microneedle-based transdermal delivery systems.
- CLIP holds potential for revolutionizing the design and manufacturing of microneedles for various therapeutic applications.
