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Updated: Jan 7, 2026
Author Spotlight: Innovative Microneedle-Based Strategies for Enhanced Exosome Delivery and Stability
Published on: July 12, 2024
A Histological Study of a Novel Pneumatic-Mechanical Microneedle-Assisted Topical Cutaneous Delivery System
Si-Ah Choi1, Jessica Parmar1, Payam Abrishami2
1Waterfront Laser & Cosmetic Dermatology, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Background:
Device-assisted drug delivery (DADD) involves a device modality that facilitates the penetration of topical substances across the intact stratum corneum barrier.
Objective:
This study analyzes the efficacy of a novel pneumatic-mechanical microneedle tip technology ("fusion tip") in assisting the transcutaneous delivery of fibroblast-stimulating substances including small particle hyaluronic acid (SPHA), large particle hyaluronic acid (LPHA), calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA).
Methods Materials:
The subject was a 34-year-old otherwise healthy woman. Subject abdominal skin preplanned for subsequent abdominoplasty was treated with pneumatic-mechanical and sham control tips in test spots to topically deliver liquid SPHA, LPHA, CaHA, and PLLA at 0.5 and 2.5 mm treatment depths. Immediately after and 1 week post-treatment, 3 mm punch biopsies were obtained for histological analysis.
Results:
All substances showed demonstrable drug delivery with both tips except LPHA. Deeper needle depths improved delivery. The pneumatic-mechanical tip enhanced delivery of SPHA and PLLA both immediately postprocedure and at the 7-day follow-up. Calcium hydroxylapatite delivery was similar between the 2 tips, other than increased delivery at 0.5 mm depth immediately postprocedure with the pneumatic-mechanical tip.
Conclusion:
Microneedling is an effective method of DADD, with the pneumatic-mechanical tip improving delivery for most test substances.
