title: Rapid fabrication method of a microneedle mold with controllable needle height and width.
abstract: The main issue of transdermal drug delivery is that macromolecular drugs cannot diffuse through the stratum corneum of skin. Many studies have pursued micro-sized needles encapsulated with drugs to overcome this problem, as these needles can pierce the stratum corneum and allow drugs to enter the circulatory system of the human body. However, most microneedle fabrication processes are time-consuming and require expensive equipment. In this study, we demonstrate a rapid method for fabricating a microneedle mold using drawing lithography and a UV-cured resin. The mold was filled with a water-soluble material, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which was then demolded to produce a water-soluble microneedle array. The results of an in vitro skin insertion test using PVP microneedles and pig ear skin demonstrated the feasibility of the microneedle mold. In addition, by controlling the viscosity of the UV-cured resin through various heat treatments, microneedles with different heights and aspect ratios were produced. Compared with other methods, this technology significantly simplifies and accelerates the mold fabrication process. In addition, the required equipment is relatively simple and inexpensive. Through this technology, we can rapidly fabricate microneedle molds with controllable dimensions for various applications.
authors: Department of Electronic Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. yenheng@mail.cgu.edu.tw.|Graduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. yenheng@mail.cgu.edu.tw.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. yenheng@mail.cgu.edu.tw.
authors: Yen-Heng
authors: YH
authors: Lin
authors: Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.|Department of Neurosurgery, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
authors: I-Chi
authors: IC
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Electronic Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
authors: Wei-Chieh
authors: WC
authors: Hsu
authors: Department of Electronic Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
authors: Ching-Hong
authors: CH
authors: Hsu
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.|Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
authors: Kai-Ping
authors: KP
authors: Chang
authors: Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
authors: Shao-Syuan
authors: SS
authors: Gao
mesh_terms: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D008845:Microinjections / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009339:Needles; D011327:Printing; D012867:Skin; D012995:Solubility; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D014867:Water; C013830:baysilon
keywords: Drawing lithography; Microneedle; Transdermal drug delivery; UV-cured resin