title: Optically monitored drug delivery patch based on porous silicon and polymer microneedles.
abstract: Fabrication and characterization of an optically monitored hybrid patch for local administration of drugs, based on polymeric micro-needles and a porous silicon free-standing membrane, are reported. The micro-needles are realized by an innovative photolithographic approach that allows fine tuning of geometrical parameters, using polyethylene glycol and a commercial photo-catalyzer. The porous silicon multilayer not only increases the storage of a relevant amount of the drug, but also offers a continuous, naked-eye monitoring of the drug delivery process. As a proof-of-concept experiment, we report our results on the release of a dye molecule (fluorescein, 332 Da) in a phosphate saline buffer.
authors.affiliation: National Research Council - Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Principia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dardano
authors.affiliation: National Research Council - Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy; University of Naples Federico II - Department of Physical Science, Via Cinthia, 80100, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caliò
authors.affiliation: National Research Council - Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy; University of Naples Federico II - Department of Chemical Science, Via Cinthia, 80100, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Politi
authors.affiliation: National Research Council - Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rea
authors.affiliation: National Research Council - Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rendina
authors.affiliation: National Research Council - Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Stefano
keywords: (160.5470) Polymers; (170.0170) Medical optics and biotechnology; (310.6845) Thin film devices and applications