A new transdermal drug delivery method using pulsating, fabricated microneedles presents a promising alternative to traditional painful subcutaneous injections.
PIDES – pulsating in situ dried electro stretching – is a method innovated by researchers from the University of Newcastle and Griffith University to produce needles less than 1mm in length to painlessly penetrate the outer layer of the skin and deliver medication into the body.
"We wanted to make microneedle production simpler, more efficient and better suited for drug delivery," said Associate Professor Yuen Yong, a co-author from the University of Newcastle.
The technology has a wide range of potential applications in drug delivery including insulin, vaccines and painkillers, or cosmetic procedures.
"Existing fabrication methods such as micro moulding, wet etching and 3D printing are often complex, expensive and may not be ideal for some temperature sensitive drugs," said Luan Mai, a PhD candidate from Griffith University and co-author of the study.
Associate Professor Yong said they wanted to overcome the limitations of existing methods.
"Micromoulding is a time-consuming and costly process where a custom-designed mould is required for specific drugs and dosages.
"Our technique has the potential to offer a universal solution for a broader range of drugs," Associate Professor Yong said.
The team's technique uses pulsed electro hydrodynamic force to stretch and shape tiny drops of liquid polymer into cone-shaped microneedles.
"With a sharp and rigid tip, these conical structures are ideal to painlessly deliver medicine through the skin," Associate Professor Yong said.
The researchers tested these microneedles on agarose gel and animal skin, confirming their mechanical strength and ability to pierce skin effectively.
They also tested drug encapsulation using curcumin, a model compound, and demonstrated a controlled time-dependent drug release profile, confirming the system's compatibility with physiological conditions.
Our technique represents an alternative way in microneedle manufacturing," said Dr Van Dau from Griffith University.
"By integrating in situ drying with electrostretching, we've simplified the process while ensuring high performance, repeatability, and drug compatibility.
"The PIDES technique is low cost and scalable, allowing multiple microneedles to be fabricated without compromising quality."
Looking ahead, the team plans to further optimise the technique and explore the development of an on-demand microneedle array system, aimed at enhancing flexibility and precision in drug delivery applications.
Dr Dau said it could lead to new pathways to more accessible and patient-friendly treatments for drug delivery, however the project was still in its early stages.
The study 'Fabrication of Microneedles by Pulsating In Situ Dried Electrostretching for Transdermal Drug Delivery' was published in the journal, Small Methods.
