Microneedles: Characteristics, Materials, Production Methods and Commercial Development

Overview

Journal Micromachines (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Date 2020 Oct 30

PMID 33121041

Citations 32

Authors

Amina Tucak

Merima Sirbubalo

Lamija Hindija

Ognjenka Rahic

Jasmina Hadziabdic

Kenan Muhamedagic

Ahmet Cekic

Edina Vranic

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Although transdermal drug delivery systems (DDS) offer numerous benefits for patients, including the avoidance of both gastric irritation and first-pass metabolism effect, as well as improved patient compliance, only a limited number of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) can be delivered accordingly. Microneedles (MNs) represent one of the most promising concepts for effective transdermal drug delivery that penetrate the protective skin barrier in a minimally invasive and painless manner. The first MNs were produced in the 90s, and since then, this field has been continually evolving. Therefore, different manufacturing methods, not only for MNs but also MN molds, are introduced, which allows for the cost-effective production of MNs for drug and vaccine delivery and even diagnostic/monitoring purposes. The focus of this review is to give a brief overview of MN characteristics, material composition, as well as the production and commercial development of MN-based systems.

Citing Articles

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