3D-printed microneedles in biomedical applications
Sajjad Rahmani Dabbagh,
Misagh Rezapour Sarabi,
Reza Rahbarghazi,
Emel Sokullu,
Ali K. Yetisen,
Savas Tasoglu
Affiliations
Sajjad Rahmani Dabbagh
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey; Koç University Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR), Koç University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
Misagh Rezapour Sarabi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
Reza Rahbarghazi
Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665811, Iran; Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166653431, Iran
Emel Sokullu
Koc University School of Medicine, Koç University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
Ali K. Yetisen
Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
Savas Tasoglu
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey; Koç University Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR), Koç University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey; Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey; Boğaziçi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Boğaziçi University, Çengelköy, Istanbul 34684, Turkey; Corresponding author
Summary: Conventional needle technologies can be advanced with emerging nano- and micro-fabrication methods to fabricate microneedles. Nano-/micro-fabricated microneedles seek to mitigate penetration pain and tissue damage, as well as providing accurately controlled robust channels for administrating bioagents and collecting body fluids. Here, design and 3D printing strategies of microneedles are discussed with emerging applications in biomedical devices and healthcare technologies. 3D printing offers customization, cost-efficiency, a rapid turnaround time between design iterations, and enhanced accessibility. Increasing the printing resolution, the accuracy of the features, and the accessibility of low-cost raw printing materials have empowered 3D printing to be utilized for the fabrication of microneedle platforms. The development of 3D-printed microneedles has enabled the evolution of pain-free controlled release drug delivery systems, devices for extracting fluids from the cutaneous tissue, biosignal acquisition, and point-of-care diagnostic devices in personalized medicine.
