Microfluidic System for Drug Delivery Based on Microneedle Array and IPMC Valveless Pump

Microneedle arrays (MNA) are used to enhance the efficiency of transdermal drug delivery. Within the framework of this work, various techniques of obtaining MNA were investigated: inkjet printing, stereolithographic 3D printing, and injection molding. Experimental MNA samples were obtained using a PiXDRO LP50 inkjet printer. The disadvantage of this technology was the limitation of the maximum height of the resulting structures (about 300 nm). In turn, the method of stereolithographic 3D printing showed insufficient resolution for the manufacture of MNA, so this method was used only for the manufacture of injection half-molds. To cast the MNA prototype, a manual casting machine was created, consisting of a bowl and a Teflon piston. A prototype of a membrane valveless microfluidic pump (MFP) based on an actuator made of an ionic polymer-metal composite was used to supply liquid through a manufactured tin-lead alloy MNA. A model of the transdermal system is assembled from the manufactured MFP and the applicator with the obtained MNA.