Bioimaging of Dissolvable Microneedle Arrays: Challenges and Opportunities
Yanni Wang,
Gehua Ma,
Guangzhi Gao,
Ji Tao,
Wenzhao Cao,
Haohao Sun,
Fengsen Ma,
Yilong Zhang,
Yen Wei,
Mei Tian
Affiliations
Yanni Wang
Laboratory of Biologics and Biomaterials, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
Gehua Ma
College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Guangzhi Gao
Laboratory of Biologics and Biomaterials, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
Ji Tao
Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
Wenzhao Cao
Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
Haohao Sun
College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
Fengsen Ma
Laboratory of Biologics and Biomaterials, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Life Science Research Center, Frontier Crossing Institute, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
Yilong Zhang
Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Sensing and System, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310023, China; College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
Yen Wei
Department of Chemistry and the Tsinghua Center for Frontier Polymer Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Mei Tian
Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
The emergence of microneedle arrays (MNAs) as a novel, simple, and minimally invasive administration approach largely addresses the challenges of traditional drug delivery. In particular, the dissolvable MNAs act as a promising, multifarious, and well-controlled platform for micro-nanotransport in medical research and cosmetic formulation applications. The effective delivery mostly depends on the behavior of the MNAs penetrated into the body, and accurate assessment is urgently needed. Advanced imaging technologies offer high sensitivity and resolution visualization of cross-scale, multidimensional, and multiparameter information, which can be used as an important aid for the evaluation and development of new MNAs. The combination of MNA technology and imaging can generate considerable new knowledge in a cost-effective manner with regards to the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of active substances for the treatment of various diseases. In addition, noninvasive imaging techniques allow rapid, receptive assessment of transdermal penetration and drug deposition in various tissues, which could greatly facilitate the translation of experimental MNAs into clinical application. Relying on the recent promising development of bioimaging, this review is aimed at summarizing the current status, challenges, and future perspective on in vivo assessment of MNA drug delivery by various imaging technologies.
