Oh Jonghyun, Liu Kewei, Medina Tim, Kralick Francis, Noh Hongseok Moses
Division of Mechanical Design Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Korea.
Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University.
Microsyst Technol. 2014 Jun 1;20(6):1169-1179. doi: 10.1007/s00542-013-1988-4.
We present a microfabricated 10 by 10 array of microneedles for the treatment of a neurological disease called communicating hydrocephalus. Together with the previously reported microvalve array, the current implantable microneedle array completes the microfabricated arachnoid granulations (MAGs) that mimic the function of normal arachnoid granulations (AGs). The microneedle array was designed to enable the fixation of the MAGs through dura mater membrane in the brain and thus provide a conduit for the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Cone-shaped microneedles with hollow channels were fabricated using a series of microfabrication techniques: SU-8 photolithography for tapered geometry, reactive ion etching for sharpening the microneedles, 248 nm deep UV excimer laser machining for creating through-hole inside the microneedles, and metal sputtering for improved rigidity. Puncture tests were conducted using porcine dura mater and the results showed that the fabricated microneedle array is strong enough to pierce the dura mater. The biocompatibility test result showed that none of the 100 outlets of the microneedles exposed to the bloodstream were clogged significantly by blood cells. We believe that these test results demonstrate the potential use of the microneedle array as a new treatment of hydrocephalus.
我们展示了一种用于治疗交通性脑积水这一神经疾病的10×10微针阵列。与先前报道的微阀阵列一起，当前的可植入微针阵列完善了模拟正常蛛网膜颗粒（AGs）功能的微制造蛛网膜颗粒（MAGs）。微针阵列的设计目的是通过大脑中的硬脑膜固定MAGs，从而为脑脊液（CSF）的流动提供一条通道。使用一系列微制造技术制造了具有中空通道的锥形微针：利用SU-8光刻技术制造锥形几何形状，通过反应离子蚀刻使微针变尖，采用248纳米深紫外准分子激光加工在微针内部制造通孔，并通过金属溅射提高刚性。使用猪硬脑膜进行了穿刺测试，结果表明制造的微针阵列足够坚固，能够刺穿硬脑膜。生物相容性测试结果表明，暴露于血流中的微针的100个出口均未被血细胞显著堵塞。我们相信这些测试结果证明了微针阵列作为脑积水新治疗方法的潜在用途。
