Page 83 - IJB-10-4

International Journal of Bioprinting Unique characteristics of 3D-printed microneedles

However, 3D printing also has some weaknesses that as the cornea, scalp, intestines, and teeth. More recently,
impede the commercialization and widespread clinical Li et al. designed a microsystem based on 3D-printed
162
adoption of 3D-printed microneedles. While traditional microneedle arrays to construct liver sinuses. This system
manufacturing offers a diverse range of materials, limited can be used to enhance liver function and promote liver
material selection remains the greatest concern for 3D tissue formation. The development of skin models capable
printing. Nonetheless, the rapid development of novel of sensing stimuli and responding to treatment is pivotal in
printable materials must continue in order to enhance the advancing the mass production and commercialization of
performance and functionality of 3D-printed microneedle. microneedles in near future.
The relatively low throughput of 3D printing, particularly
when printing at high resolution, is another significant Acknowledgments
challenge. Faster 3D printing technologies like SOPL
should be further optimized to reduce cost and make The authors acknowledge the support by Mr. Meng Ma and
them more accessible. Lastly, the lack of appropriate skin Mr. Zhengnan Sun, who share valuable guidance during
models presents a significant hurdle for developing clinical the preparation of this review.
applications for microneedles. Artificial skin models
that closely mimic human properties and physiological Funding
responses are essential for establishing performance This work was financially supported by the National
benchmarks for microneedle evaluation. Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 62271107 and
Considering the innate capability of 3D printing to create 62074029), the National Key Research and Development
intricate and customized structures using computer-aided Program of China (No. 2022YFB3206100), the Key R&D
design, 3D printing should pivot toward the customized Program of Sichuan Province (No. 2022JDTD0020),
production of microneedles. This strategy accommodates and the Medico-Engineering Cooperation Funds from
the diverse needs of different applications while ensuring University of Electronic Science and Technology supported
that 3D-printed microneedles are commercially viable. by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central
Universities (ZYGX2022YGRH007).
It is imperative to note that the emergence of 3D
printing does not make traditional manufacturing Conflict of interest
technologies obsolete. Certain materials with superior
conductivity and other desirable functional properties can The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
only be processed using traditional methods. Frequently,
3D printing and traditional manufacturing methods Author contributions
can be combined to achieve the desired functionality. Conceptualization: Xinyu Fu, Yi Zhang, Meng Ma
For example, for large-scale production, micromolding Writing – original draft: Xinyu Fu, Yi Zhang
remains the simplest way to manufacture multifunctional Writing – review & editing: Xinyu Fu, Jun Gu, Ruiqi Liu,
and biocompatible microneedles. 3D printing can also be Siwei Bi, Xiaosheng Zhang, Yi Zhang
used to fabricate molds for microneedles. 90,160,161 Post-3D
printing processes, such as sputtering and electroplating, Ethics approval and consent to participate
can be employed to coat 3D-printed polymer microneedles
with conductive materials. Combining FDM with wet Not applicable.
92
etching can improve the resolution and mechanical
properties of microneedles. 49,63 Furthermore, 3D printing Consent for publication
allows the integration of microneedles with devices such as Not applicable.
microfluidic networks, thereby expanding the functionality
and range of applications of microneedles. Availability of data
Advances in materials science and tissue engineering Not applicable.
are expected to produce artificial skin models that can be
used to reliably assess the performance of microneedles. References
While artificial models are accessible and reproducible,
they remain unable to fully simulate active biological tissue 1. Lhernould MS, Deleers M, Delchambre A. Hollow polymer
interactions. Presently, microneedles are commonly used microneedles array resistance and insertion tests. Int J
to deliver therapeutic drugs and biological compounds Pharm. 2015;480(1-2):152-157.
through the skin and directly to other human parts such doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2015.01.019

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 75 doi: 10.36922/ijb.1896