%0 Journal Article
%T Microneedles : A Revolution of Transdermal Drug Delivery
%A Ashish Jain
%A Mr. Vinod Dhote
%A Mr. Hemant Dhongade
%A Mr. Sandip Sumbhate
%J Pharmaceutical Reviews
%D 2008
%I 
%X Optimization of drug delivery through human skin is important in modern therapy. With the limitations of oral drug delivery and the pain and needle phobias associated with traditional injections, drug delivery research has focused on the transdermal delivery route.This review considers various studies related to microneedles for transdermal drug deliveries. A formidable barrier to transdermal drug delivery is the stratum corneum, the superficial layer of the skin. In the last 10 years, microneedles were proposed as a mechanical tool to pierce through the stratum corneum, in order to create drug delivery channels without stimulating underlying pain nerves. Since then, the field of microneedles has rapidly evolved to spawn a plethora of potential transdermal applications. Using the tools of the microelectronics industry, microneedles have been fabricated with a range of sizes, shapes and materials. To address practical applications of microneedles, the ratio of microneedle fracture force to skin insertion force (i.e. margin of safety) was found to be optimal for needles with small tip radius and large wall thickness. Microneedles inserted into the skin of human subjects were reported as painless. Together, these results suggest that microneedles represent a promising technology to deliver therapeutic compounds into the skin for a range of possible applications.
%U http://www.pharmainfo.net/reviews/microneedles-revolution-transdermal-drug-delivery