Microfabrication of polymer microneedle arrays using two-photon polymerization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing enables complex structure fabrication.
• Two-photon polymerization (TPP) allows ultraprecise 3D microstructure manufacturing.
• Advanced photonics and biomedical applications benefit from TPP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop 3D solid microneedle arrays for transdermal drug delivery using TPP.
• To identify optimal fabrication parameters for microneedle arrays.
• To simulate microneedle interaction with human skin.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two-photon polymerization (TPP) for fabricating 3D microneedle arrays.
• Conducted experiments to determine optimal fabrication parameters (laser power, scanning speed, hatch distance, layer height).
• Performed finite element simulations to analyze microneedle-skin interaction and deformation.

Main Results:

• Established optimal fabrication parameters for microneedle structural resolution and reduced fabrication time.
• Demonstrated the influence of fabrication parameters on microneedle precision.
• Quantified human skin deformation under microneedle force via simulations.

Conclusions:

• Two-photon polymerization is a viable single-step method for creating 3D microneedle arrays.
• Fabrication parameters significantly impact microneedle quality and delivery system performance.
• Simulations provide insights into the biomechanical interaction of microneedles with skin for drug delivery applications.