A Hollow Microneedle Equipped with a Micropillar for Improved Needle Insertion and Injection of Drug Solution

Overview

Journal Pharm Res

Specialties Pharmacology
Pharmacy

Date 2024 Mar 5

PMID 38443630

Authors

Mika Futaki

Kazuya Inamura

Tomoya Nishimura

Takatoshi Niitsu

Takehiko Tojo

Kenji Sugibayashi

Hiroaki Todo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Hollow-type microneedles (hMNs) are a promising device for the effective administration of drugs into intradermal sites. Complete insertion of the needle into the skin and administration of the drug solution without leakage must be achieved to obtain bioavailability or a constant effect. In the present study, several types of hMN with or without a rounded blunt tip micropillar, which suppresses skin deformation, around a hollow needle, and the effect on successful needle insertion and administration of a drug solution was investigated. Six different types of hMNs with needle lengths of 1000, 1300, and 1500 µm with or without a micropillar were used.

Methods: Needle insertion and the disposition of a drug in rat skin were investigated. In addition, the displacement-force profile during application of hMNs was also investigated using a texture analyzer with an artificial membrane to examine needle factors affecting successful insertion and administration of a drug solution by comparing with in vivo results.

Results: According to the results with the drug distribution of iodine, hMN with a micropillar was able to successfully inject drug solution into an intradermal site with a high success rate. In addition, the results of displacement-force profiles with an artificial membrane showed that a micropillar can be effective for depth control of the injected solution as well as the prevention of contact between the hMN pedestal and the deformed membrane.

Conclusion: In the present study, hMN showed effective solution delivery into an intradermal site. In particular, a micropillar can be effective for depth control of the injected solution as well as preventing contact between the hMN pedestal and the deformed membrane. The obtained results will help in the design and development of hMNs that ensure successful injection of an administered drug.

Citing Articles

Enhanced Drug Skin Permeation by Azone-Mimicking Ionic Liquids: Effects of Fatty Acids Forming Ionic Liquids.

Oshizaka T, Kodera S, Kawakubo R, Takeuchi I, Mori K, Sugibayashi K Pharmaceutics. 2025; 17(1).

PMID: 39861689 PMC: 11768391. DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17010041.

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