A multifunctional platform for the production and customization of polymer-based microneedle devices
Loading...
Files
Published Version
Supplementary material
Date
2025-03-21
Authors
Bocchino, Andrea
Márquez-Graña, C.
Singh, Om Prakash
Melnik, Eva
Kurzhals, Steffen
Mutinati, Giorgio C.
Coulman, S. A.
Martin, Christopher
Ng, Keng Wooi
Massufero Vergilio, Mariane
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Published Version
Abstract
Polymer microneedles (MNs) have significant potential for use in transdermal delivery and diagnostics applications due to their low cost, versatility, and compatibility with medical grade materials and industrial manufacturing processes. These polymers can also have a wide range of different and desirable properties such as biocompatibility, degradability, and flexibility. To facilitate rapid development of these devices, a multifunctional manufacturing process, easily adaptable to a range of different materials and use cases, would be highly beneficial for research and prototyping purposes. With that in mind, we have developed a multifunctional platform that may be used to produce sharp-tipped microneedle arrays with a variety of substrate materials, mechanical characteristics, electrical properties, and diagnostic functionalities. The paper first presents an outline of the platform concept and the double-sided moulding process that lies at its core, followed by a description of the various add-on steps that are used to customise the geometrical, mechanical, electrical, and functional aspects of the arrays. Finally, we illustrate the versatility of the platform with three exemplars, namely a solid, electrochemically active MN sensor for biomarker diagnostics, a fabric-backed, flexible MN electrode for biopotential monitoring, and a biodegradable array for transdermal drug delivery.
Description
Keywords
Microneedles , Moulding , Polymer , Transdermal drug delivery , ECG electrode , Sensors , Medical devices
Citation
Bocchino, A., Marquez-Grana, C., Singh, O.P., Melnik, E., Kurzhals, S., Mutinati, G.C., Coulman, S., Martin, C., Ng, K.W., Massufero Vergilio, M., Birchall, J., Donovan, P., Galvin, P. and O’Mahony, C. (2025) 'A multifunctional platform for the production and customization of polymer-based microneedle devices', Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 388, 116491 (14pp). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2025.116491