title: Fabrication and characterization of novel microneedles made of a polystyrene solution.
abstract: Nowadays, microneedles are attracting a lot of attention because microneedles can deliver drugs, vaccines and hormones into the body without pain unlike conventional hypodermic needles. Furthermore, microneedles are safe for self-injection and disposal. This work aims to develop novel microneedles made of a solution of polystyrene (PS) in toluene. The mechanical properties of the fabricated PS microneedles were characterized in failure strength test and skin penetration test. According to the experimental results, a PS microneedle could withstand a large force up to 1.0 N without fracturing. Owing to the superior mechanical strength, the PS microneedles could penetrate the skin without any deterioration making them a promising alternative for commercial applications.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Chulalongkorn Univ., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wangtan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luangveera
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Chulalongkorn Univ., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Supaseth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiruedee
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Chulalongkorn Univ., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wijuk
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mama
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Chulalongkorn Univ., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Muthita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiaranairungroj
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Chulalongkorn Univ., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Alongkorn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pimpin
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Microbiology, Chulalongkorn Univ., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Tanapat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Palaga
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Chulalongkorn Univ., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Electronic address: werayut.s@chula.ac.th.
authors.forename: Werayut
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Srituravanich
mesh_terms: D004868:Equipment Failure; D055616:Microtechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009339:Needles; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions; D014050:Toluene / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011137:Polystyrenes; D012996:Solutions; D014050:Toluene
keywords: Failure strength test; Microneedles; Polystyrene; Skin penetration test