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Updated: Dec 21, 2025
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Polymeric Microneedle Array Fabrication by Photolithography
Published on: November 17, 2015
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Coated polymeric needles for rapid and deep intradermal delivery.
Álvaro Cárcamo-Martínez1, Qonita Kurnia Anjani1, Andi Dian Permana1,2
1School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X
|May 19, 2020
Summary
Polymeric microneedles show promise for drug delivery. Shorter needles inserted well, while thicker, longer needles improved drug penetration depth in skin models.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polymeric microneedles offer potential for minimally invasive drug delivery.
- Optimizing needle design is crucial for effective intradermal administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mechanical properties and insertion capabilities of polymeric microneedles.
- To assess the impact of needle dimensions and coating on drug delivery depth and efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of polymeric microneedles (Gantrez®S-97, poly(ethylene glycol)) with varying lengths and base widths.
- Mechanical testing using axial force on skin models (Parafilm®, porcine skin).
- Optical coherence tomography and rhodamine B coating for penetration depth analysis.
Main Results:
- Shorter needles (2 mm) showed significant height reduction but high insertion rates.
- Longer needles (4.5 mm) required a thicker base for successful insertion into porcine skin.
- Coated needles enhanced model drug penetration depth (2-fold for short, 4.5-fold for long needles).
- Needles delivered compounds to depths of 1.5-3.0 mm.
Conclusions:
- Polymeric microneedle design, particularly base width, influences insertion success.
- Coated polymeric microneedles facilitate rapid and deep intradermal drug delivery.
- These findings support the potential of polymeric microneedles for enhanced transdermal therapies.
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