Metallic microneedles with interconnected porosity: A scalable platform for biosensing and drug delivery

Abstract Metallic-based microneedles (MNs) offer a robust platform for minimally invasive drug delivery and biosensing applications due to their mechanical strength and proven tissue and drug compatibility. However, current designs suffer from limited functional surface area or challenges in manufacturing scalability. Here, porous 316L stainless steel MN patches are proposed. Fabricated through a scalable manufacturing process, they are suitable for storage and delivery of drugs and rapid absorption of fluids for biosensing. Fabrication of these MNs involves hot embossing a patch of stainless steel-based feedstock, sintering at 1100 °C and subsequent electropolishing. Optimisation of this manufacturing process yields devices that maintain mechanical integrity yet possess high surface area and associated porosity (36%) to maximise loading capacity. Similarly, a small pore size has been targeted (average diameter 2.22 μm, with 90% between 1.56 μm and 2.93 μm) to maximise capillarity and loading efficiency. This porous network has a theoretical wicking rate of 4.7 μl/s and can wick-up 27 ± 5 μl of fluid through capillary action which allows for absorption of pharmaceuticals for delivery. When inserted into a metabolite-loaded skin model, the MNs absorbed and recovered 17 ± 3 μl of the metabolite solution. The drug delivery performance of the porous metallic MNs (22.4 ± 4.9 µg/cm2) was found to be threefold higher than that of topical administration (7.1 ± 4.3 µg/cm2). The porous metallic MN patches have been shown to insert into porcine skin under a 19 N load. These results indicate the potential of design-for-manufacturing porous stainless steel MNs in biosensing and drug delivery applications. Statement of Significance Microneedles are micro-scale sharp protrusions used to bypass the stratum corneum, the skin’s outer protective layer, and painlessly access dermal layers suitable for drug delivery and biosensing. Despite a depth of research in the area we have not yet seen large-scale clinical adoption of microneedle devices. Here we describe a device designed to address the potential barriers to adoption seen by other microneedles devices. We have developed a scalable, cost effective process to produce medical grade stainless steel microneedle patches which passively absorb and store drugs or interstitial fluid though a porous network and capillary action. This device, with low manufacturing and regulatory burdens may help the large-scale adoption of microneedles.