What is the Origin of Microneedle Patches?

This technology emerged from the fields of bioengineering and pharmaceutical science in the late 20th century, driven by the dual goals of enhancing patient compliance and overcoming the skin's formidable barrier function. The name is descriptive, combining "micro" (small) and "needle" (a slender, sharp instrument) to convey the device's structural mechanism. Their development represents a significant step forward in controlled, non-invasive drug delivery.

What is the Mechanism of Microneedle Patches?

When applied to the skin, the microneedles penetrate the stratum corneum without reaching the deeper dermal nerve endings, ensuring the application is virtually painless. The therapeutic substance, which can be coated onto the needles or encapsulated within a dissolving matrix, is then released into the underlying epidermal and dermal layers. This mechanism allows for a sustained, localized, or systemic delivery of the compound while avoiding the first-pass hepatic metabolism that degrades many orally administered drugs.

Microneedle Patches

Meaning

Microneedle Patches are innovative transdermal drug delivery systems comprising a small adhesive patch embedded with an array of hundreds of microscopic needles. These needles are typically fabricated from polymers, sugars, or metals and are designed to painlessly pierce the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. The patches create transient microchannels to facilitate the efficient passage of therapeutic agents, including large-molecule hormones and peptides, into the systemic circulation, offering a patient-friendly alternative to hypodermic injection.