Transdermal delivery is an attractive delivery method that increases bioavailability, is suitable for a wide variety of therapeutics, and offers stable delivery outcomes. However, many therapeutics are unable to readily cross the stratum corneum. Microneedles mechanically disrupt the cutaneous barrier to deliver small molecules, proteins, and vaccines. To date, microneedles have not been used in conjunction with coacervate, a liquid–liquid phase separation that protects unstable proteins. A three‐layer microneedle for the controlled release of three different molecules is designed. Through micromolding, microneedles are efficiently generated, which benefits product scalability. The microneedles have good mechanical integrity and effectively penetrate porcine skin ex vivo. The three layers, in the microneedles, release the cargo in a three‐phase manner. The released protein maintains its structure well. Moreover, layer thickness can be controlled by varying fabrication parameters. The microneedles can incorporate both small molecule drugs and protein therapeutics, thus promising uses in multi‐drug therapies through a single treatment.
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10297145
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Polymers
- Volume:
- 13
- Issue:
- 16
- ISSN:
- 2073-4360
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 2815
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Microneedles are micron-sized devices that are used for the transdermal administration of a wide range of active pharmaceutics substances with minimally invasive pain. In the past decade, various additive manufacturing technologies have been used for the fabrication of microneedles; however, they have limitations due to material compatibility and bioavailability and are time-consuming and expensive processes. Additive manufacturing (AM), which is popularly known as 3D-printing, is an innovative technology that builds three-dimensional solid objects (3D). This article provides a comprehensive review of the different 3D-printing technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing of microneedles. The application of 3D-printed microneedles in various fields, such as drug delivery, vaccine delivery, cosmetics, therapy, tissue engineering, and diagnostics, are presented. This review also enumerates the challenges that are posed by the 3D-printing technologies, including the manufacturing cost, which limits its viability for large-scale production, the compatibility of the microneedle-based materials with human cells, and concerns around the efficient administration of large dosages of loaded microneedles. Furthermore, the optimization of microneedle design parameters and features for the best printing outcomes is of paramount interest. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory guidelines relating to the safe use of microneedle devices are outlined. Finally, this review delineates the implementation of futuristic technologies, such as artificial intelligence algorithms, for 3D-printed microneedles and 4D-printing capabilities.more » « less
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13162815
