Current procedures for transdermal drug delivery (TDD) have associated limitations
including poor administration of nucleic acid, small or large drug molecules, pain and stress for
needle phobic people. A painless micro-sized device capable of delivering drugs easily and efficiently,
eliminating the disadvantages of traditional systems, has yet to be developed. While polymeric-based
microneedle (MN) arrays have been used successfully and clinically as TDD systems, these devices
lack mechanical integrity, piercing capacity and the ability to achieve tailored drug release into
the systemic circulation. Recent advances in micro/nano fabrication techniques using Additive
Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, have enabled the fabrication of metallic MN arrays,
which offer the potential to overcome the limitations of existing systems. This review summarizes the
different types of MNs used in TDD and their mode of drug delivery. The application of MNs in the
treatment of a range of diseases including diabetes and cancer is discussed. The potential role of solid
metallic MNs in TDD, the various techniques used for their fabrication, and the influence of their
geometrical characteristics (e.g., shape, size, base diameter, thickness, and tip sharpness) on effective
TDD are explored. Finally, the potential and the future directions relating to the optimization of
metallic MN arrays for TDD are highlighted.
Science Foundation Ireland 18/EPSRC-CDT/3584 and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EP/S022635/1., Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EP/S022635/1
ID Code:
29579
Deposited On:
07 Feb 2024 13:27 by
Thomas Murtagh
. Last Modified 07 Feb 2024 13:27