Transdermal Solid Microneedle Patch Development

Recent advancements in transdermal drug delivery include the development of solid microneedle patches, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods like injections and oral medications. These patches enhance drug delivery efficiency and bioavailability. CD Formulation specializes in the customized development of solid microneedle patches, offering tailored solutions to meet specific research needs.

About Transdermal Solid Microneedle Patch Technology

Traditional transdermal patches work by diffusing drugs through the skin's layers, but they are limited by the types of drugs that can penetrate the skin barrier effectively. Solid microneedle patches address these limitations by using tiny needles, typically ranging from hundreds of micrometers to a few millimeters in length, to puncture the outer layers of the skin (epidermis and upper dermis). These microneedles are designed to painlessly penetrate the skin's outer layers, devoid of nerve endings, thus minimizing discomfort and enhancing patient acceptance compared to conventional hypodermic needles.

Fig.1 Schematic illustration of the types of microneedles and their drug delivery methods. SC stratum corneum, ED epidermis, DE dermis, MN microneedles. (Jae Hwan Jung, et al. 2021)

Solid microneedles are generally silicon, metal, or non-degradable polymer materials. Their good mechanical strength makes it easy to pierce the skin to form microchannels, but they cannot carry drugs themselves. Therefore, solid microneedle drug delivery is divided into two steps:

1) Microneedles create microchannels in the skin.

2) Drugs are applied to the microchannels for absorption.

Advantages of Transdermal Solid Microneedle Patches

• Enhanced Drug Delivery Efficiency: Creates microchannels for direct drug delivery, improving bioavailability and absorption rates.
• Versatile Drug Applications: Suitable for delivering a wide range of compounds, including small molecules, proteins, peptides, and vaccines.
• Improved User Experience: Simple, painless application encourages self-administration and better adherence.
• Minimized Side Effects: Reduces systemic side effects by targeting localized areas, unlike traditional oral or injectable routes.

Custom Solutions for Transdermal Solid Microneedle Patch Development

CD Formulation offers customized development services for various applications:

• Drug Delivery: Facilitates the delivery of small molecules, proteins, peptides, and vaccines.
• Diagnostic Monitoring: Integrates sensors for continuous monitoring of biomarkers or glucose levels.
• Cosmetic and Dermatological Applications: Efficiently delivers skincare formulations or cosmetic agents directly to the skin.

Fig.2 Applications of solid microneedle technology. (CD Formulation)

Materials We Use for Microneedle Fabrication

• Silicon: Silicon has sufficient mechanical strength to be inserted into the skin; therefore, it is often used to make solid microneedles. We use deep reactive ion etching and photolithography to accurately manufacture small pointed silicon microneedles with a length of 100 μm or less.
• Metal (Stainless Steel, Titanium): Metal materials have high mechanical strength and tensile strength, so they can easily penetrate the skin and can be used to make solid microneedles. Generally, stainless steel and titanium (Ti) are typical metal materials for making microneedles. Stainless steel is the most commonly used metal material for making microneedles, but it corrodes faster than titanium alloys. Titanium alloys have higher mechanical strength than stainless steel but are also more expensive.
• Non-Degradable Polymers: Such as resins, usually exhibit excellent mechanical properties that are challenging to achieve high load and sustainable drug release.

Our Microneedle Preparation Techniques

• Laser Cutting: Commonly used for metal microneedles. The 2D shape of the microneedles is created by cutting on a flat metal sheet using a laser. The size and orientation of the microneedle array are designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The 2D drawn microneedles are bent 90 degrees to create 3D microneedles. Electropolishing can be used to clean the needle tip or roughen the surface.
• Micromolding: Used for creating microneedle arrays from polymer materials. This technique allows for precise control over microneedle dimensions and patterns.
• Lithography: Enables the fabrication of microneedles with high precision using photolithography processes commonly employed in semiconductor manufacturing.
• Electrochemical Etching: Particularly for metal microneedles, this method allows for the creation of sharp, precise needle structures on metal substrates.

Why Choose CD Formulation?

• Our company has deep technical expertise and a strong research and development capability in microneedle technology.
• We can offer tailored solutions to meet specific formulations, dosage, or research requirements.
• We utilize advanced production facilities and robust quality control systems to maintain product consistency and reliability.

Published Data

For more information on our transdermal solid microneedle patch development services, please contact us. We are dedicated to providing prompt support and 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.