3D Printed Ion-Responsive Personalized Transdermal Patch

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Microneedle patches offer efficient transdermal drug administration.
• Challenges exist in achieving sufficient microneedle insertion on contoured skin due to planar patch designs.
• This limits the efficacy of transdermal drug delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-fidelity, 3D printable prepolymer for personalized transdermal microneedle patches.
• To enhance microneedle patch adhesion and drug delivery on curved skin surfaces.
• To investigate controlled and sustainable drug release mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of a novel prepolymer for 3D printing.
• Fabrication of microneedle patches using 2-(4-methoxystyryl)-4,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-1,3,5-triazine (Tz) photoinitiator.
• Incorporation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for photothermal heating and sweat induction.
• Analysis of ion-induced network rearrangement for patch curvature adaptation.
• Evaluation of drug release kinetics.

Main Results:

• Successful high-fidelity 3D printing of precise microneedle patches.
• AuNPs induced photothermal heating and sweat production, leading to ion-induced patch curvature.
• Alkanethiol-stabilized AuNPs enabled controlled drug release.
• Photothermal heating of AuNPs enhanced sustained drug release.

Conclusions:

• The developed prepolymer is suitable for creating personalized transdermal microneedle patches.
• The patches demonstrate improved adhesion and drug delivery on body surfaces.
• This technology holds promise for advanced transdermal therapeutic systems.