A microneedle array is an attractive option for a minimally invasive means to break through the skin barrier for efficient transdermal drug delivery. Here, we report the applications of solid polymer-based ion-conductive porous microneedles (PMN) containing interconnected micropores for improving iontophoresis, which is a technique of enhancing transdermal molecular transport by a direct current through the skin. The PMN modified with a charged hydrogel brings three innovative advantages in iontophoresis at once: (1) lowering the transdermal resistance by low-invasive puncture of the highly resistive stratum corneum, (2) transporting of larger molecules through the interconnected micropores, and (3) generating electroosmotic flow (EOF). In particular, the PMN-generated EOF greatly enhances the transdermal molecular penetration or extraction, similarly to the flow induced by external pressure. The enhanced efficiencies of the EOF-assisted delivery of a model drug (dextran) and of the extraction of glucose are demonstrated using a pig skin sample. Furthermore, the powering of the PMN-based transdermal EOF system by a built-in enzymatic biobattery (fructose / O2 battery) is also demonstrated as a possible totally organic iontophoresis patch.

An array of porous microneedles (PMNs) made of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is fabricated by a combination of molding and freeze-drying methods. The optimized mixture of PLGA and 1,4-dioxane is poured into a mold of a microneedle array, followed by the freezing and sublimation of the frozen particles of 1,4-dioxane, a procedure that left an interconnecting porous structure in the PLGA with a porosity around 50%. The mechanical strength of the PMN made of PLGA (PLGA-PMN) is reinforced by modification with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), resulting in sufficient strength enough for insertion into an excised porcine skin. The transdermal resistance is significantly decreased by the CMC-modified PLGA-PMN, which would improve the efficiency and safety of DC current-based transdermal techniques, including the electrical monitoring of the skin condition and iontophoresis for drug delivery and medical diagnosis.

BIODEGRADABLE MICRONEEDLES Frontispiece: In article number 2100171 by Matsuhiko Nishizawa and co‐workers, an array of porous microneedles (PMN) made of biodegradable poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) is developed by a combination of molding and freeze‐drying methods. The reinforced PLGA‐PMN shows sufficient strength for insertion into a porcine skin and enables ionic connection and water permeation through its porous structure.