Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 335 Gwahangno, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
Biomed Microdevices. 2009 Dec;11(6):1195-203. doi: 10.1007/s10544-009-9337-1.
The key issues in the development of a microneedle patch as a tool for transdermal drug delivery are safety and delivery performance in addition to economical production. In this paper, novel fabrication methods for an inexpensive microneedle patch made of biocompatible polymer are reported, along with functional verifications for the fabricated microneedle patch through animal models. We combined the merits of in-line microneedles, i.e., easy and economical production, with the superior performance of two-dimensionally arrayed microneedles. One-dimensionally fabricated microneedles were assembled to make two-dimensionally arrayed patches to attain our goal. First, we fabricated strips with one-dimensionally arrayed microneedles through deep X-ray lithography on polymethylmethacrylate or another negative photoresist, SU-8, with sharply reduced exposure time. Second, we assembled microneedle strips to make two-dimensionally arrayed microneedles, which we utilized further for fabrication of molding masters. Finally, we prepared microneedle patches made of polycarbonate by hot embossing with these masters. We then demonstrated the actual delivery of exogenous materials through application on skin via animal experiments, and we found no detectable side effects such as inflammation or allergic reactions at the site of application.
作为经皮药物递送工具的微针贴片的开发关键问题除了经济生产外，还包括安全性和输送性能。本文报道了一种新型的、由生物相容性聚合物制成的廉价微针贴片的制造方法，并通过动物模型对所制造的微针贴片进行了功能验证。我们结合了在线微针的优点，即易于和经济的生产，以及二维排列的微针的优异性能。一维制造的微针被组装成二维排列的贴片以达到我们的目标。首先，我们通过深 X 射线光刻在聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯或另一种负性光刻胶 SU-8 上制造出具有大大缩短曝光时间的一维排列微针的条带。其次，我们将微针条带组装成二维排列的微针，进一步将其用于制造模具母版。最后，我们使用这些母版通过热压印用聚碳酸酯制备微针贴片。然后，我们通过动物实验证明了通过应用于皮肤的外源性物质的实际传递，并且在应用部位没有发现可检测到的炎症或过敏等副作用。
