New microneedle antimicrobial techniques may foster medical tech innovation
ScienceDaily (Aug. 16, 2010) — A team led by researchers from North Carolina State University has developed two new approaches for incorporating antimicrobial properties into microneedles — vanishingly thin needles that hold great promise for use in portable medical devices. Researchers expect the findings to spur development of new medical applications using microneedles.
Microneedles cause less pain, tissue damage and skin inflammation for patients, and could be a significant component of portable medical devices for patients with chronic conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or diabetes. However, longstanding concerns regarding the possibility of infection associated with microneedles have been an obstacle to their widespread adoption — until now.
The first new technique is for use with microneedles that would be incorporated into permanent or semi-permanent medical devices — such as glucose monitors for patients with diabetes. The researchers found that modifying the surface of a microneedle with an antimicrobial coating both prevented microbial growth and did not adversely affect skin cell growth. Researchers applied the coating using a laser-based vapor deposition process that created a thin film of silver (which is antimicrobial) on the microneedle surface.
The second approach is applicable to degradable microneedles, which are designed to dissolve on the skin surface and can be used for single-use drug delivery situations such as vaccine delivery. This technique involves incorporating an antimicrobial agent into the material used to make the microneedle itself. As the degradable microneedle dissolves it releases the antimicrobial agent, guarding against infection.
“We expect these findings to result in more widespread use of microneedles in outpatient treatments and technologies,” says Dr. Roger Narayan, lead author of the research. “For example, microneedles could be used as a relatively pain-free and user-friendly alternative to conventional needles in diabetes treatment. They may also figure into new technologies pertaining to the delivery of anti-cancer drugs.” Narayan is a professor in the joint biomedical engineering department of NC State’s College of Engineering and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The research, “Two Photon Polymerization Of Microneedles For Transdermal Drug Delivery,” will be presented May 24 at the First International Conference On Microneedles in Atlanta. The work was funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. The research was co-authored by Dr. Nancy Monteiro-Riviere, professor of investigative dermatology and toxicology at the Center for Chemical Toxicology Research and Pharmacokinetics at NC State, as well as researchers from North Dakota State University, Laser Zentrum Hannover and other institutions.
Story Source:
The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by North Carolina State University.
Journal Reference:
Shaun D Gittard, Aleksandr Ovsianikov, Boris N Chichkov, Anand Doraiswamy, Roger J Narayan. Two-photon polymerization of microneedles for transdermal drug delivery. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 2010; 7 (4): 513 DOI: 10.1517/17425241003628171Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Tags: techniques, medical, glucose monitors, skin inflammation
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Diamonds are the biggest scam ever perpetrated by a cartel on humanity. I’ve seriously been considering buying a used vapor deposition chamber (I’m in the semiconductor industry, and they’re fairly common) and learning how to make my own diamonds. Then I’ll learn how to cut them and sell them dirt cheap. Ah, if I only had the time.
[...] the case of Benny the Bear—a soft toy using nano-silver to give it antimicrobial properties (Benny the Bear, and the case of the disappearing nanoparticles). It appeared at the time that the manufacturer was being rather coy about the use of [...]
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it was low at first? you must be a dibetic?
after eating 106 is fine. 80-120 is WNL
just keep a check on it, before and after meals and upon waking and at bedtime