Microneedle-based platforms for wound healing: recent advances
Imran Ibni Gani Rather1, Bidya Mondal1, Syed Muntazir Andrabi1
1Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. jingwei.xie@unmc.edu.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Microneedle (MN) technology offers a minimally invasive approach to advanced wound healing. These systems enable targeted drug delivery, monitoring, and modulation of the wound environment for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Chronic wounds present significant clinical challenges due to inflammation, infection, and impaired healing processes.
- Microneedle (MN) technology provides a minimally invasive platform for therapeutic delivery and wound monitoring.
- Advances in fabrication allow precise control over MN design and drug loading.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in microneedle fabrication, design, and integration for wound healing.
- To discuss the diagnostic, sensing, and therapeutic capabilities of microneedle systems.
- To highlight the potential of multifunctional microneedles in next-generation wound care.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on microneedle technology for wound healing.
- Analysis of various microneedle fabrication techniques (e.g., micromolding, 3D printing).
- Examination of diverse microneedle designs (dissolvable, swellable, porous, hollow, etc.).
Main Results:
- Microneedles enable direct therapeutic delivery, wound monitoring, and microenvironment modulation.
- Diverse MN designs offer functionalities including immunomodulation, antimicrobial action, and scar remodeling.
- Intelligent MN systems integrate biosensing with stimuli-responsive drug release for tailored therapy.
Conclusions:
- Microneedle technology is a versatile platform with significant potential for treating chronic and complex wounds.
- Multifunctional microneedles offer advanced therapeutic mechanisms beyond passive drug delivery.
- Further development of intelligent MN systems promises personalized and effective wound management strategies.
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