Hao Ying, Li Wei, Zhou XingLi, Yang Fan, Qian ZhiYong
J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2017 Dec 1;13(12):1581-1597. doi: 10.1166/jbn.2017.2474.
A microneedle (MN) is a micron-sized needle with a height of 10-2000 μm and a width of 10-50 μm, which can penetrate through the epidermis layer to dermal tissue directly without pain. Microneedles are widely used in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) because they are efficient, safe, convenient and painless. Morphologically, microneedles are divided into four types: solid microneedles, coated microneedles, dissolving microneedles, and hollow microneedles. Different types of microneedles play different roles in different research fields. Microneedles also have different characteristics and applications depending on the materials they are made from. In recent years, microneedles have frequently been used to deliver drugs, genes, proteins, RNA, and vaccines, and have achieved amazing therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, a variety of nano-carriers combined with microneedle delivery systems highlight the application of microneedles. The materials, types, and applications of the microneedles are summarized in this review. Overall, this review aims to serve as a foundational study of microneedles and hopes to promote their clinical application.
微针是一种微米级的针，高度为10 - 2000μm，宽度为10 - 50μm，能够直接穿透表皮层到达真皮组织且无痛感。微针因其高效、安全、便捷且无痛，在透皮给药系统（TDDS）中得到广泛应用。从形态学上看，微针分为四种类型：实心微针、包被微针、溶解微针和空心微针。不同类型的微针在不同的研究领域发挥着不同的作用。微针因其制作材料的不同也具有不同的特性和应用。近年来，微针频繁用于递送药物、基因、蛋白质、RNA和疫苗，并取得了惊人的治疗效果。同时，多种纳米载体与微针递送系统相结合凸显了微针的应用。本文综述了微针的材料、类型及应用。总体而言，本综述旨在作为微针的基础研究，并希望促进其临床应用。
