page_title: Microneedle drug delivery
hierarchical_section_title: Microneedle drug delivery
caption_attribution_description: English: A small microneedle array is compared with a standard hollow-boar needle to demonstrate size.
context_page_description: Microneedles are microscopic applicators used to deliver vaccines or other drugs across various barriers: while transdermal application is the most popular use of microneedles, intraocular and intracochlear microneedle drug delivery systems are emerging. Microneedles are constructed through various methods usually involving photolithographic processes or micromolding. These methods involve etching microscopic structure into resin or silicon in order to cast microneedles. Microneedles are made from a variety of material ranging from silicon, titanium, stainless steel, and polymers. Some microneedles are made of a drug to be delivered to the body but are shaped into a needle so they will penetrate the skin. The microneedles range in size, shape, and function but are all used as an alternative to other delivery methods like the conventional hypodermic needle or other injection apparatus.
  Microneedles are usually applied through small arrays. The arrays used are a collection of microneedles, ranging from only a few microneedles to several hundred, applied to an applicator sometimes a patch or other solid stamping device.
context_section_description: Microneedles are microscopic applicators used to deliver vaccines or other drugs across various barriers: while transdermal application is the most popular use of microneedles, intraocular and intracochlear microneedle drug delivery systems are emerging.   Microneedles are constructed through various methods usually involving photolithographic processes or micromolding. These methods involve etching microscopic structure into resin or silicon in order to cast microneedles. Microneedles are made from a variety of material ranging from silicon, titanium, stainless steel, and polymers. Some microneedles are made of a drug to be delivered to the body but are shaped into a needle so they will penetrate the skin. The microneedles range in size, shape, and function but are all used as an alternative to other delivery methods like the conventional hypodermic needle or other injection apparatus. 
  Microneedles are usually applied through small arrays. The arrays used are a collection of microneedles, ranging from only a few microneedles to several hundred, applied to an applicator sometimes a patch or other solid stamping device. The arrays are applied to the skin of patients and are given time to allow for the effective administration of drugs. Microneedles are an easier method for physicians as they require less training to apply and because they are not as hazardous as other needles, making the administration of drugs to patients safer and less painful while also avoiding some of the drawbacks of using other forms of drug delivery, such as risk of infection, production of hazardous waste, or cost.
caption: Size comparison of microneedle (350μm in depth) to standard hollow-bore needle[1]
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