Towards a versatile point-of-care system combining femtosecond laser generated microfluidic channels and direct laser written microneedle arrays

Trautmann, Anika; Roth, Gian‐Luca; Nujiqi, Benedikt; Walther, Thomas; Hellmann, Ralf

doi:10.1038/s41378-019-0046-5

Cited by 75 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Accordingly, 3D-printing is a suitable alternative to conventional fabrication methods because, in principle, it allows the realization of customizable and intricate microfluidic/microneedle architectures without the commonly required investments 23 . However, previously reported 3D-printed microchannel-microneedle platforms relied on expensive two-photon polymerization (2PP) 3D-printers to print microneedles and required additional processes to integrate with separately fabricated microchannels 24 . While 2PP offers high print resolutions down to the 200 nm regime, studies have shown that microneedle tips with ∼30 μ m radius of curvature are enough for epidermal penetration 25 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 3D-printed microfluidic-enabled hollow microneedle architecture for transdermal drug delivery

et al. 2019

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Embedding microfluidic architectures with microneedles enables fluid management capabilities that present new degrees of freedom for transdermal drug delivery. To this end, fabrication schemes that can simultaneously create and integrate complex millimeter/centimeter-long microfluidic structures and micrometer-scale microneedle features are necessary. Accordingly, three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques are suitable candidates because they allow the rapid realization of customizable yet intricate microfluidic and microneedle features. However, previously reported 3D-printing approaches utilized costly instrumentation that lacked the desired versatility to print both features in a single step and the throughput to render components within distinct length-scales. Here, for the first time in literature, we devise a fabrication scheme to create hollow microneedles interfaced with microfluidic structures in a single step. Our method utilizes stereolithography 3D-printing and pushes its boundaries (achieving print resolutions below the full width half maximum laser spot size resolution) to create complex architectures with lower cost and higher print speed and throughput than previously reported methods. To demonstrate a potential application, a microfluidic-enabled microneedle architecture was printed to render hydrodynamic mixing and transdermal drug delivery within a single device. The presented architectures can be adopted in future biomedical devices to facilitate new modes of operations for transdermal drug delivery applications such as combinational therapy for preclinical testing of biologic treatments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 3D-printed microfluidic-enabled hollow microneedle architecture for transdermal drug delivery

et al. 2019

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“…In comparison with other techniques, 2PP shows improved geometry control, as well as scalable resolution, reducing equipment, facilities and maintenance costs commonly associated to etching and lithography-based methods. For this reason, researchers have exploited this technique to fabricate solid or hollow MN arrays using modified ceramics (21,22), inorganic-organic hybrid polymers (23,24), acrylate-based polymers (25,26), polyethylene glycol (27), and recently, water-soluble materials (28), with promising results.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two-Photon Polymerisation 3D Printing of Microneedle Array Templates with Versatile Designs: Application in the Development of Polymeric Drug Delivery Systems

et al. 2020

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Purpose To apply a simple and flexible manufacturing technique, two-photon polymerisation (2PP), to the fabrication of microneedle (MN) array templates with high precision and low cost in a short time. Methods Seven different MN array templates were produced by 2PP 3D printing, varying needle height (900–1300 μm), shape (conical, pyramidal, cross-shaped and with pedestal), base width (300–500 μm) and interspacing (100–500 μm). Silicone MN array moulds were fabricated from these templates and used to produce dissolving and hydrogel-forming MN arrays. These polymeric MN arrays were evaluated for their insertion in skin models and their ability to deliver model drugs (cabotegravir sodium and ibuprofen sodium) to viable layers of the skin (ex vivo and in vitro) for subsequent controlled release and/or absorption. Results The various templates obtained with 2PP 3D printing allowed the reproducible fabrication of multiple MN array moulds. The polymeric MN arrays produced were efficiently inserted into two different skin models, with sharp conical and pyramidal needles showing the highest insertion depth values (64–90% of needle height). These results correlated generally with ex vivo and in vitro drug delivery results, where the same designs showed higher drug delivery rates after 24 h of application. Conclusion This work highlights the benefits of using 2PP 3D printing to prototype variable MN array designs in a simple and reproducible manner, for their application in drug delivery.

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“…Herein, the micropillar or microdome array has been widely investigated for the potential high pixel density. Various techniques have been developed to prepare the arrays, such as the subtractive processes, additive processes, and micromolding technique . However, the technologies still have limitations to apply for businesses large‐scale manufacturing, such as complex processes, difficult operations, time‐consuming steps, costly materials or machines, and relatively low production efficiency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrasensitive Multifunctional Magnetoresistive Strain Sensor Based on Hair‐Like Magnetization‐Induced Pillar Forests

Ding

Pei

Xuan

et al. 2019

Adv Elect Materials

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mechanic-resistive, [7] have been proposed and implemented in the design of electronic systems. Although such systems have undergone rapid growth and can satisfy or surpass the subtle sensing properties of human skin, it is still challenging to develop flexible electronics with multimodal sensing capabilities to detect manifold environmental changes. The contact-type mechanic-resistive sensors convert mechanical displacements into impedance changes and have gained tremendous interest owing to their simple read-out mechanism and higher sensitivity to pressure. [8-10] Herein, the micropillar or microdome array has been widely investigated for the potential high pixel density. Various techniques have been developed to prepare the arrays, such as the subtractive processes, additive processes, and micromolding technique. [11-15] However, the technologies still have limitations to apply for businesses large-scale manufacturing, such as complex processes, difficult operations, time-consuming steps, costly materials or machines, and relatively low production efficiency. For example, in the subtractive processes, the three-dimensional structures are selectively carved out of a two-dimensional (2D) substrate, including lithography with wet or dry etching, micromachining, laser cutting, electroplating, and wire electrode cutting. [15,16] Moreover, most precision technology manufacturing array structures are rigid, which are incompatible for the required flexible electronic components. Above all, challenges remain for the simple, scalable, low-cost, and rapid fabrication. Remarkably, there are many attempts to realize the functions and capabilities beyond the human skin, such as superhydrophobicity, [17] anti-freezing, [18] proximity detection, [19] magnetoreception, [20] self-healing, [21] and electromagnetic interference shielding. [22] These additional features that humans do not possess are challenging and attractive, which may greatly expand the application range of artificial electronic systems. [23,24] Among them, magneto-reception is a sensing capability which allows organisms, such as bacteria, ants, bees, pigeons, and whales to detect the earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation. By endowing artificial electronics with magnetic field sensing capability, flexible magnetic sensors are believed to open up new areas for the future of intelligent wearable An ultrasensitive multifunctional sensor which integrates tactile sensing and magnetism sensing together in one device is presented. The sensor, dubbed L-MPF, consists of two interlocking hair-like magnetizationinduced pillar forests, which are self-formed under a magnetic field and a loading pressure. An L-MPF endows intelligent electronics with magnetic field reception, which is the sense of bacteria, birds, and whales, rather than human beings. It is found that the L-MPF precisely detects the magnitude and the loading path of the dynamic load, including pressure, shear, and magnetic field, with fast response, high reversibility, excellent sensitivity, a...

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Towards a versatile point-of-care system combining femtosecond laser generated microfluidic channels and direct laser written microneedle arrays

Cited by 75 publications

References 42 publications

A 3D-printed microfluidic-enabled hollow microneedle architecture for transdermal drug delivery

A 3D-printed microfluidic-enabled hollow microneedle architecture for transdermal drug delivery

Two-Photon Polymerisation 3D Printing of Microneedle Array Templates with Versatile Designs: Application in the Development of Polymeric Drug Delivery Systems

Ultrasensitive Multifunctional Magnetoresistive Strain Sensor Based on Hair‐Like Magnetization‐Induced Pillar Forests

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