Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Polymeric Microneedle Array Fabrication by Photolithography
Published on: November 17, 2015
Fabrication of gradient porous microneedle array by modified hot embossing for transdermal drug delivery
Jiyu Li1, Yingying Zhou2, Jingbo Yang3
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instruments, School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract:
A gradient porous microneedle array (GPMA) is developed for transdermal drug delivery. A modified hot embossing approach is proposed to fabricate the GPMA from poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) powders within a cavity array mold under the coupling combination of gradient thermal and pressure multi-fields. The porosity of the microneedles is a gradient, and the pores are mainly distributed in the tip region. The liquid drug formulation can directly be loaded in the pores of the microneedle tips by dipping. GPMA could penetrate into the rabbit skin without breakage and the penetration force per microneedle is approximately 22 mN. The GPMA can diffuse a dry model drug, namely Rhodamine B, in vitro in the rabbit skin dermis. The GPMA can also effectively deliver an insulin solution in vivo in diabetes rats, lowering the blood glucose levels. Above all, as a dry or liquid drug carrier and a minimally invasive injector, the GPMA offers an effective alternative for transdermal drug delivery.
Related Concept Videos
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Drug Delivery: Overview
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
What is an Electrochemical Gradient?
The chemical gradient relies on differences in the abundance of a substance on the outside versus the inside of a cell and flows from areas of high to low ion concentration. In contrast, the electrical gradient revolves around an...
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...

