Abstract
This paper presents the development of a polymer based microneedle patch for transdermal drug delivery application using plastic microinjection moulding. Design and analysis of the microneedle cavities and mould insert used in the injection moulding process were carried out using Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software. A mould insert with low surface roughness was fabricated using Micro Electrical Discharge Machining (μ-EDM). The injection moulding parameters including clamping force, temperature, injection pressure and velocity were characterized in order to obtain the optimum reproducibility. Solid truncated cone microneedles, made of biocompatible polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), with a round tip radius of 50 μm and 500 μm in height have been realized by microinjection moulding process demonstrating the potential of a low cost, high production efficiency, and suitable for mass production. In addition, a mould insert of cylindrical microneedles fabricated using X-ray LIGA has been proposed.
Highlights
Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) is one of a convenient way to deliver medicine into the subcutaneous tissues without drawbacks such as pain and digestive system disorders [1,2]
The drug is injected through the outermost layer of skin, Stratum Corneum (SC), from where it diffuses into the blood vessels of the deeper dermal skin layer through microneedle conduits
Since there are no nerves in SC layer, this method is pain-free in comparison to hypodermic needle [3]
Summary
Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) is one of a convenient way to deliver medicine into the subcutaneous tissues without drawbacks such as pain and digestive system disorders [1,2]. Since there are no nerves in SC layer, this method is pain-free in comparison to hypodermic needle [3]. The MNs are typically designed in arrays in order to improve the surface contact with the skin. Microneedle array technology is an emerging technique combining the ease of transdermal patch and the capability of hypodermic needle to facilitate penetration of actives into the skin. We present the design and fabrication method for an inexpensive microneedle patch made of biocompatible polymer, PMMA, by means of plastic microinjection moulding process. By optimizing the injection moulding parameters, results show that low surface roughness polymer based microneedle patch can be produced. A mould insert of microneedle patch fabricated using X-ray LIGA are proposed
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