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Puncturing soft substrates with microneedle Arrays: Experiments, simulations, and machine learning predictions
Nan Hu1, Junjie Liu1, Qifang Zhang1
1School of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, Sichuan Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Structural Materials Mechanical Behavior and Service Safety, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611756, China.
Summary
This study reveals how microneedle geometry impacts insertion force and depth. Optimized designs, informed by experiments and simulations, enhance microneedle array performance for medical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Microneedle arrays are advanced medical tools for drug delivery, tissue adhesion, and neural signal recording.
- Optimizing microneedle array design requires understanding the influence of geometric features on puncture performance in soft tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of individual microneedle geometry (diameter, tip angle) on puncture mechanics.
- To analyze how array-level geometric factors (height difference, spacing, tip angle, diameter) influence the puncture force and efficiency of planar, arrow-shaped, and wave-shaped microneedle arrays.
- To develop a predictive model for microneedle array puncture force using artificial neural networks.
Main Methods:
- Puncture experiments were conducted on single microneedles and three types of microneedle arrays (planar, arrow-shaped, wave-shaped).
- Finite element simulations were employed to complement experimental data.
- An artificial neural network (ANN) was trained using 152 simulation results to predict puncture force based on geometric parameters.
Main Results:
- Reducing microneedle diameter and tip angle decreased critical puncture force and depth.
- Increased spacing between microneedles enhanced both puncture efficiency and peak force across all array types.
- Height variation significantly impacted peak puncture force in wave-shaped arrays; larger tip angles reduced efficiency, but this was mitigated in array and wave designs.
- Smaller diameters lowered peak puncture force and improved puncture efficiency for all tested arrays.
Conclusions:
- Microneedle array geometry, including spacing and individual needle dimensions, critically influences puncture performance.
- The developed ANN model accurately predicts microneedle array puncture force, offering a valuable tool for design optimization.
- Findings provide crucial insights for designing more effective microneedle systems for various biomedical applications.
