Transdermal electroosmotic flow generated by a porous microneedle array patch

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20948-4
• Publication Date: 2021-01-28T11:12:46Z
• Authors: Shinya Kusama; Kaito Sato; Yuuya Matsui; Natsumi Kimura; Hiroya Abe; Shotaro Yoshida; Matsuhiko Nishizawa
• Keywords: Male; Microinjections; Swine; Science; Q; Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules; Dextrans; 02 engineering and technology; Iontophoresis; Administration, Cutaneous; Article; Drug Delivery Systems; Glucose; Needles; Animals; Humans; Electroosmosis; Epidermis; 0210 nano-technology; Porosity; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; Skin

AbstractA 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.