GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ANALYSIS OF MATERIALS AND AREAS OF APPLICATION OF MICRONEEDLE SYSTEMS

Abstract

Microneedles are an innovative technology that enables transdermal delivery of drugs, vaccines, and other biologically active substances. They are an alternative to traditional injections, offering a painless and convenient way to administer drugs.Aim. Provide a general description of microneedle systems, analyse the materials used in their manufacture, and identify the main areas of application for microneedle systems.Materials and methods. Data was collected, systematised, analysed and summarised using materials from scientific databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar).Research results. Microneedles work by penetrating the upper layers of the skin, where they can deliver drugs without irritating nerve endings. There are different types of microneedles: soluble, hollow and coated microneedles. The advantages of microneedles include: painlessness, convenience and speed of use, and effectiveness. However, there are also disadvantages: limited penetration depth, cost, and the need for special equipment for manufacturing.Currently, polymers (including biodegradable ones), metal, and ceramics are used to manufacture microneedles. The manufacture of micro-needle preparations consists of obtaining a patch base and manufacturing a micro-needle frame.The choice of technology depends on the material used to manufacture the micro-needle frame, as well as the type of transdermal patch. With the development of technology, 3D printing has become the most common method of obtaining a micro-needle frame.The quality control of preparations with microneedles is most often carried out according to indicators characteristic of the patch, part of which is microneedles.Conclusions. The advantages and disadvantages of microneedle systems are presented. It has been established that polymers are most commonly used among modern materials for the manufacture of microneedles. A generalized technological scheme for the manufacture of transdermal patches with microneedles is presented. It has been established that the most modern method of manufacturing a microneedle frame is 3D printing technology. Quality control of microneedle systems includes organoleptic control of the microneedle frame and testing typical for transdermal patches.