Delivering painkillers faster with microneedle patch

SINGAPORE: Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have pioneered a technique to enclose lidocaine – a common painkiller – into tiny needles attached to an adhesive patch.

The researchers said this method can deliver drugs into the skin at a faster rate of around five minutes. Once applied, the microneedle patch creates micrometre-sized porous channels in the skin, enabling the drug to be absorbed rapidly.

Lab experiments show the technique can administer drugs faster than the 45 minutes taken by the current commercial lidocaine patch for the drug to penetrate. Researchers have also expanded the use of the microneedle patch to collagen, penetrating up to the dermis layer of the skin.

In contrast, current skincare products can only deliver collagen up to the outermost layer of the skin. Researchers will next conduct clinical testing of the painkiller, to ascertain its efficacy and safety.

Dr Kang Lifeng, who is from the Department of Pharmacy at the National University of Singapore, explained how the microneedle patch works: “For this microneedle patch, what is different is that inside this patch, we created very small needles. The needle is very small so that it is almost invisible.

“These small needles can pierce through the skin a little bit, very shallow. But these shallow holes actually allow the molecules to go through inside the skin to generate their functions. So, this is the focus of the microneedle application.”

Researchers said they will also conduct clinical studies to examine the efficacy of delivering collagen for cosmetic and skincare purposes. The researchers have filed a patent for their technique through the NUS Industry Liaison Office, which is part of NUS Enterprise.

Source: Channel News Asia
Published: 06 Sep 2014

Category: Technology & Devices, Top Story