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What are Microneedles?

By M. Haskins
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,298
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Microneedles are extremely small needles used to draw blood or administer drugs without penetrating the skin and underlying tissue as deeply as traditional hypodermic needles or syringes. When used for medical purposes, rows of several hundred microneedles are put onto tiny patches that are then applied to the skin. The microneedles make microscopic holes in the outermost layer of the skin, and either draw minute quantities of blood or deliver a drug, a process sometimes called transdermal drug delivery. They cause minimal pain and trauma compared to traditional needles and are used for various medical purposes like immunizations, pain management, and blood glucose monitoring. Microneedles are a relatively new medical technology and are the subject of extensive research and study.

The size of a microneedle is measured in microns. One micron is one thousandth of a millimeter, and a microneedle is usually no more than 1 micron in diameter, and 1-100 microns long. Patches coated with microneedles are described as feeling similar to sandpaper when touched. These needles are so small that they have been used to deliver drugs into individual cells. The needles can be made from a variety of materials, including metals, silicone, polymers, ceramics and glass, and are manufactured using microfabrication techniques similar to the processes used in nanotechnology and the production of microchips.

Microneedles have several advantages over syringes and hypodermic needles. They are virtually painless because they do not go deep enough to touch any nerves, penetrating only the outermost layer of the skin. The shallow penetration also means that there is less chance of infection and injury. Additionally, this technology makes it easier to deliver exactly the right amount of a drug, making it possible to use lower doses, and the development of dissolvable microneedles could help reduce the problem of discarded needles.

Microneedle patches are also cheap to make and do not have to be administered by medical professionals, making them ideal for large-scale vaccination programs in developing countries. The development of an immunization patch would also make it easier to administer childhood vaccines and seasonal flu vaccines in developed countries. Microneedles are being used for some types of blood tests, for example, blood glucose monitoring for diabetics.

The use of microneedle patches has already been studied with positive results in areas like pain management, hormone replacement therapy, and as a way to administer drugs treating congestive heart failure. Possible future uses include delivering nanoparticles into the body for various treatments, targeted gene therapy, and skin rejuvenation.

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Discussion Comments
By ceilingcat — On Oct 15, 2011

Microneedles sound great for a lot of reasons. However, the idea of dissolving needles really stuck out to me (pardon the pun.) I took a few classes in medical stuff and I know needle disposal is a really big deal.

First of all, you have to be really careful not to stick yourself with a needle and make sure to use a new needle on each patient. Then, there's the actual disposal process. There are special plastic bins for the needles and then the bins have to be disposed of a certain way.

Dissolving needles could solve all of these problems! No cleanup and no worrying about the healthcare professional sticking themselves. I think this sounds awesome.

By indemnifyme — On Oct 14, 2011

@SZapper - You're right, this idea sounds pretty revolutionary. I'm thinking it could be really, really great for children and people who are scared of needles.

Imagine if they could draw blood or give vaccines to children with these tiny needles. A visit to the doctor for a painful shot would be a thing of the past! Plus, they sound like they look pretty unassuming. I know a lot of people are put off by large needles-myself included. I hope microneedles make an appearance in mainstream medicine pretty soon-preferably before I need another shot!

By SZapper — On Oct 13, 2011

This article has officially blown my mind. I've never heard of microneedles, but they sound so, so cool. I can't even wrap my head around the idea that they can deliver a dose of medication to one single cell! That is crazy!

I also think the potential for administering vaccines is marvelous. Imagine if you could vaccinate people without needing a medical professional to do it.

Obviously if there was going to be a large scale vaccination, there would have to be a few doctors around in case of complications. But if anyone could administer the actual vaccination, you would need far less doctors and it would cost far less money!

I hope they continue to study and develop microneedles further.

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