An Ultra-Swelling Microneedle Device for Facile And Efficient Drug Loading And Transdermal Delivery.

The advancement and extensive demand for transdermal therapies could benefit from a safe, and efficient and user-friendly transdermal technology with broad applicability in delivering various hydrophilic drugs. Here we report the design and proof of concept applications of an ultra-swelling microneedle device that enables the facile and efficient loading and transdermal delivery of hydrophilic drugs with different molecular weights. The device consists of a super-hydrophilic hydrogel microneedle array and a resin base substrate. Using a special micromoulding technique that involves hydrated crosslinking and cryogenic-demoulding, the microneedle part displays a rapid swelling ratio of approximately 3800%, enabling the loading of drugs up to 500 kDa in molecular weight. The drug loading process using the device just involves incubating the microneedle part in a drug solution for 1 min, followed by 15 min of drying. The microneedles can easily penetrate the skin under press and detach from the base substrate under shear, thereby releasing the payload. Administration of desired therapeutic agents using the device outperformed conventional administration methods in mitigating psoriasis and eliciting immunity. This biocompatible device, capable of withstanding ethylene oxide sterilization, could enhance the efficacy and accessibility of transdermal therapies in research institutes, hospitals, and even home settings This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.