Transdermal Hollow Microneedle Patch Development

Transdermal hollow microneedle patches are an innovative drug delivery technology that enables efficient administration through the skin. CD Formulation specializes in the development of these patches, offering tailored solutions for diverse research applications.

About Transdermal Hollow Microneedle Patches

Hollow microneedles are a group of microneedles similar in size to solid microneedles with small holes in the axis of the needle. The working principle is that the drug is pre-loaded in the hollow structure or needle cavity of the needle body. After the empty needle tip is pierced into the skin, the drug is driven into the body under the pressure of the concentration gradient of the tissue fluid, to achieve drug delivery. Hollow MNs are commonly used to deliver high molecular weight molecules such as oligonucleotides, vaccines, and proteins. Hollow MNs are ideal for transporting organisms (cells, bacteria, or viruses) because they have an external reservoir that keeps the organism active.

Advantages of Transdermal Hollow Microneedle Patches

Microneedles are micron-sized needles that painlessly penetrate the stratum corneum to deliver drugs into the body. The main advantage of microneedles is that they combine the potential delivery power of a hypodermic needle with the user-friendly benefits of a transdermal patch. According to the application characteristics of microneedles, they can be divided into solid microneedles, coated microneedles, soluble microneedles, porous microneedles, and hollow microneedles (HMN). Compared to the other four classes of microneedles, HMN has important advantages, such as the ability to quickly deliver drugs directly to the body without the time-consuming slow penetration and release process, and higher drug utilization.

Custom Solutions for Transdermal Hollow Microneedle Patch Development

At CD Formulation, we provide customized development of hollow microneedle patches for various research needs:

• Drug Delivery: Hollow microneedle technology overcomes the skin barrier, delivering drugs directly to target areas without requiring stringent screening of molecular weight or solubility, enhancing bioavailability.
• Vaccination: Hollow microneedles can be used for painless vaccination to reduce discomfort.
• Biomarker Collection: Collect body fluids non-invasively for monitoring health or research diagnostics.
• Diabetes Management: Real-time glucose monitoring using microneedle technology may provide a less invasive alternative to traditional blood glucose tests.

Fig.1 Applications of hollow microneedle technology. (CD Formulation)

Materials We Use for Microneedle Fabrication

We utilize a range of materials to fabricate microneedles, ensuring strength, biocompatibility, and production scalability:

• Silicon has a crystal structure and is commonly used as a preparation material for microneedles. The preparation of hollow silicon microneedles by micromachining technology is very mature and suitable for large-scale production.
• Metal as a microneedle material, compared with silicon, has the characteristics of low cost and good mechanical properties, and can better meet the strength required for piercing the skin. The main materials are stainless steel and titanium.
• Polymer microneedles have good biocompatibility and good toughness. Commonly used polymer materials are polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyether ether ketone, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyterephthalic acid, polypropylene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer and so on.

Our Microneedle Fabrication Techniques

We employ advanced techniques for microneedle development, including:

• 3D Printing Technology: Static optical projection lithography (SOPL) enables rapid and precise printing of hollow microneedles with custom designs.
• Micromachining for Silicon Microneedles: Silicon hollow microneedles prepared by micromachining technology can be produced on a large scale. To improve their biocompatibility, metal or silica coating is often electroplated on the surface of silicon hollow microneedles.
• Metal Fabrication: Processes such as electroplating, laser etching, and molding create durable microneedle structures.
• Polymer Microneedle Manufacturing: Techniques like micro-molding and hot pressing ensure consistent quality and performance.

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of fabrication principle of hollow microneedle patches (HMNPs) via static optical projection lithography. (Rong Li, et al. 2022)

Why Choose CD Formulation?

• Advanced Technology: Expertise in state-of-the-art manufacturing for precise and reliable microneedle designs.
• Customized Solutions: Tailored drug formulations and device designs to meet specific research needs.
• Innovative Approach: Novel microneedle designs to improve functionality and user experience.

Published Data

CD Formulation is at the forefront of transdermal hollow microneedle patch innovation, committed to advancing drug delivery solutions. Contact us to discuss your project requirements, and we will respond within three working days.

How It Works

STEP 1

Submit a service request describing your specific research or development need.

STEP 2

We'll email you to provide your quote and confirm order details if applicable.

STEP 3

Execute the project with real-time communication, and deliver the final report promptly.