Novel technologies for transdermal drug delivery: combination of microneedles and iontophoresis

Abstract

International audienceThis PhD project is willing to develop a prototype of wearable device combining two transdermal drug delivery (TDD) technologies: iontophoresis (ITP) and microneedles (MN). ITP was used as an active delivery technique helping heavy molecules migrate faster and deeper through the effect of a small current. Screen-printed Ag/AgCl electrodes were prepared to provide a leightweight, low cost and conformable device. Injection molded poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) hollow MN were placed on top of the anode, or the positive electrode. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) was used as a drug model and followed by fluorimetry. Eventually, insulin will be used in delivery experiments. For both ITP electrodes and MN, fabrication processes involved are suitable for industrial scale-up