Designing Multifunctional Microneedles in Biomedical Engineering: Materials, Methods, and Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Microneedles (MNs) are increasingly explored for biomedical applications.
• Existing research often focuses on specific MN functionalities, neglecting a comprehensive overview of diverse materials and advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of multifunctional microneedles (MNs) in biomedical engineering (BME).
• To explore MN applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, therapeutics, and tissue engineering.
• To highlight novel applications, such as in brain-computer interfaces.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on microneedle technology.
• Analysis of MN properties based on inorganic (silicon, metals) and organic (polysaccharides, polymers, proteins) materials.
• Examination of preparation processes and application scenarios.

Main Results:

• Microneedles demonstrate versatility across various material types, including inorganic and organic options.
• MNs show significant potential in minimally invasive transdermal drug delivery and tissue engineering for repair and regeneration.
• Novel applications in brain-computer interfaces are identified as a promising area.

Conclusions:

• Multifunctional microneedles represent a rapidly advancing technology with broad potential in BME.
• Further research into diverse MN materials and advanced applications, including neuroscience, is warranted.
• MNs are poised to contribute significantly to future innovations in diagnostics, therapeutics, and regenerative medicine.