Process Cost and Time in Minimal Fab to Fabricate Custom-made Microneedle Array with Extraction Tool

Abstract

This work presents, for the first time, the study of fabrication time together with running cost of a microneedle array fabricated using minimal fab. A Si hollow-microneedle array was fabricated on a half inch wafer within 7 hours and its process cost was less than $10/chip although the process was only one chip production. A portable and disposable dropper is simply produced and assembled with microneedle array for the application of liquid extraction that may extend to be used as a blood extraction tool. The extracted liquid by one finger-push and release, up to 0.8 ml of liquid can be drawn and store in the dropper.