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Acute pain caused by medical procedures such as venipuncture, minor surgeries, and postoperative recovery can significantly impact patient well-being, leading to anxiety and stress. Traditional pain management strategies, including lidocaine (LIDO) injections and topical anesthetic creams, face challenges such as needle phobia and limited skin permeability. To overcome these limitations, the study introduces an iontophoresis-driven fiber-based microneedle patch (IFMP) that combines dissolving microneedles (MNs) with iontophoresis (ITP) technology to enhance transdermal drug delivery. This approach aims to provide a controllable, long-lasting, and non-invasive local analgesia solution with precise drug release regulation.
The researchers fabricated fiber-based dissolving microneedles using a micro-molding technique with a cotton fiber canvas as the base material. The IFMP integrates microneedles with an iontophoresis system, controlled via a smartphone application, allowing precise modulation of electrical signals to regulate drug release. The study conducted a series of characterization tests, including:
Mechanical and insertion properties to ensure the microneedles penetrate the skin effectively.
In vitro and in vivo drug release studies using rat models to assess the controlled and sustained delivery of lidocaine.
Pharmacokinetic and biosafety assessments to evaluate biocompatibility and potential cytotoxicity.
Behavioral tests in animal models, such as the von Frey test and Hargreaves' test, to measure analgesic effectiveness in postoperative pain management.
The findings indicate that the IFMP system achieves rapid onset and prolonged analgesic effects compared to conventional lidocaine creams and microneedles without iontophoresis. The integration of iontophoresis technology significantly enhances drug permeation, enabling on-demand, patient-controlled pain relief. The system demonstrates excellent biocompatibility, with no significant cytotoxic effects or adverse tissue reactions. Furthermore, adjusting the electrical current allows precise control over drug dosage and release timing, ensuring flexibility for different pain management scenarios.
Integration of Iontophoresis with Microneedles – The study presents a novel fiber-based dissolving microneedle patch enhanced by iontophoresis, improving drug delivery efficiency and control.
Smartphone-Controlled Drug Release – The real-time monitoring and adjustable drug administration via a mobile app offer personalized pain management solutions.
Enhanced Drug Loading Capacity – The cotton fiber-based microneedles increase drug absorption and retention, surpassing conventional dissolving microneedles.
Non-Invasive and Long-Lasting Analgesia – IFMP provides a safer, needle-free alternative to injections, ensuring prolonged pain relief while reducing discomfort for patients.
This study successfully develops an innovative, patient-friendly transdermal analgesia system combining fiber-based dissolving microneedles with iontophoresis. The IFMP platform offers a promising alternative for local pain management, with potential applications in postoperative care, dermatological treatments, and minor surgical procedures. Future research could explore clinical applications and large-scale manufacturing to bring this technology into real-world medical practice.
In fact, in addition to the research methods used by the researchers in this paper, electrospinning technology also holds great potential for the fabrication of fiber-based microneedle patches (IFMP). As a versatile and scalable method, electrospinning enables the production of ultrafine polymeric fibers with high surface area, tunable porosity, and enhanced drug encapsulation efficiency. Compared to traditional molding, electrospun fibers can offer improved flexibility, sustained drug release, and better adhesion to biological tissues. Recent studies have successfully integrated electrospun microneedles for applications such as insulin delivery and wound healing, highlighting their potential for localized and controlled drug administration. By incorporating electrospinning into IFMP development, researchers may further optimize drug delivery performance and expand the clinical potential of microneedle-based transdermal therapies.
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