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3D-printed morphology-customized microneedles: Understanding the correlation between their morphologies and the
Qingliang Yang1, Weizhen Zhong2, Yiwen Liu2
1College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Particle Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|March 23, 2023
Summary
Stereolithography 3D printing enables custom microneedle shapes for improved drug delivery. These morphology-customized microneedles enhance mechanical strength, drug loading, and release, leading to better hypertrophic scar treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- 3D Printing Technology
Background:
- Transdermal microneedle drug delivery systems face manufacturing challenges for complex microstructures.
- Precise fabrication of microneedles is crucial for practical application and therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop morphology-customized microneedles using stereolithography (SLA) based 3D printing.
- To investigate the relationship between microneedle morphology and their mechanical properties, skin penetration, drug loading, and release kinetics.
- To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of 3D-printed microneedles for transdermal drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of various microneedle morphologies (spiral, conical, cylindroid, ring-like, arrow-like, tree-like) via SLA 3D printing.
- Assessment of mechanical properties, skin penetration behavior, drug loading capacity, and drug release profiles.
- In vivo study using verapamil hydrochloride for hypertrophic scar treatment.
Main Results:
- 3D-printed microneedles exhibited enhanced mechanical strength due to controllable morphologies.
- Improved drug loading capacity and release behavior were observed, linked to surface area and volume.
- In vivo administration demonstrated successful transdermal delivery of verapamil hydrochloride, enhancing therapeutic efficacy for hypertrophic scars.
Conclusions:
- SLA-based 3D printing offers precise fabrication of morphology-customized microneedles.
- Customized microneedle designs significantly improve mechanical properties, drug loading, and release kinetics.
- 3D-printed microneedles show potential for enhanced transdermal drug delivery and improved treatment outcomes for conditions like hypertrophic scars.
