An analysis of the relationship between microneedle spacing, needle force and skin strain during the indentation phase prior to skin penetration

Potts, Matthew R., Evans, Sam L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3664-2569, Pullin, Rhys ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2853-6099, Coulman, Sion A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1277-7584, Birchall, James C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8521-6924 and Wyatt, Hayley 2022. An analysis of the relationship between microneedle spacing, needle force and skin strain during the indentation phase prior to skin penetration. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering 10.1080/10255842.2022.2136486

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Abstract

Microneedle (MN) array patches present a promising new approach for the minimally invasive delivery of therapeutics and vaccines. However, ensuring reproducible insertion of MNs into the skin is challenging. The spacing and arrangement of MNs in an array are critical determinants of skin penetration and the mechanical integrity of the MNs. In this work, the finite element method was used to model the effect of MN spacing on needle reaction force and skin strain during the indentation phase prior to skin penetration. Spacings smaller than 2–3 mm (depending on variables, e.g., skin stretch) were found to significantly increase these parameters.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Engineering
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	1025-5842
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 December 2022
Date of Acceptance:	11 October 2022
Last Modified:	07 Dec 2022 09:04
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/154664

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