3D-Printed Microneedle Array Fabrication

Tough 1500 photopolymer resin material was used to 3D-print the MN arrays in this research. This material supports printing resolutions of 50 and 100 microns in the layer thickness [65 (link)]. Moreover, this material is resilient, biocompatible, tough, and durable. In addition, Tough 1500 Resin is certified to be safe for skin contact, which makes it an ideal material for fabricating biomedical devices. The anhydrous ethanol obtained from Fisher Chemical was used to cure the 3D-printed MN array. Dow Sylgard™ 184 Silicone Elastomer, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), was obtained from Ellsworth Adhesives, Germantown, WI, USA. PDMS material was used to develop the female MN array mold. Gantrez™ AN-169, alternating copolymers of methyl vinyl ether (MVE) and maleic anhydride, was sourced from Ashland. Poly (ethylene glycol) with average Mn20,000 and Caffeine powder were obtained from Sigma Aldrich, Burlington, MA, USA. The combination of Gantrez™ and Caffeine powder (X w/v %) was used to fabricate the biodegradable MN array patch. Parafilm M^®. (Sigma Aldrich), a flexible thermoplastic sheet with 0.13 mm thickness, was used as a skin simulator (artificial skin) for insertion studies.