Highlighted Services: Microneedle Analysis

Microneedles are micron-sized needle-like structures that are used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to deliver drugs, such as insulin, hormones, vaccines and acne treatments, intradermally. They can pierce the skin in a non-invasive way with minimal or no pain. Microneedles are an alternative to the larger syringes and needles commonly used for drug delivery and can be easily self administered.

Microneedles are manufactured from metallic, ceramic, silicon or polymeric materials. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are several types of microneedles: solid, hollow, coated, dissolvable and swellable.

• Solid – the simplest form of microneedles. The microneedles are used to puncture and penetrate the skin and they are removed after creating a pathway for the drug to be delivered.
• Hollow – the microneedles’ hollowed interior allows for the delivery of the drug from the patch while the needles are still inserted in the skin, very similar to the way drugs are delivered using syringes.
• Coated – the microneedles are coated with a drug. Once the needles are applied and have penetrated the outer layer of the skin, the drug dissolves into the surrounding tissue.
• Dissolvable – the microneedles are made of dissolvable polymers. The drug is located within the core of the needle. After the microneedles penetrate the skin, they dissolve and release the drug. This type of microneedle requires a delicate balance between the amount of polymer and the amount of drug during manufacturing.
• Swellable – the microneedles swell after puncturing the skin by undergoing a phase transition from a dry and solid state to a semi-solid, hydrogel state. The microneedle absorbs fluid from the surrounding tissue and expands in its core, creating pores and nano-channels through which the drug can diffuse.

Due to the size and structure of the needles (especially the hollow needles), there is a large potential for failure and fracture during manufacturing and usage.

Photo: Microneedles on patch used to treat acne taken by SEM at x50 magnification

If you are a microneedles developer or manufacturer and have a need for microneedle analysis, MVA Scientific Consultants can help. We can evaluate the needles during the development, manufacturing and application stages. We can examine the consistency of the needle shape, morphology, and drug delivery.

For more information about microneedle analysis, please call us at 770-662-8509 or email us at info@mvainc.com.