Research

1. Development of microneedle system

Microneedles can be categorized as solid, coated, dissolving, and hollow as shown in Figure. We have developed various microneedle systems including microneedle-roller, drug coated polymer microneedle, tip-loaded dissolving microneedles and low-temperature hollow microneedles and patents regarding preparation of microneedles were issued and registered. We owned photolithographic process machines, laser cutting machine, micro-drill, metal deposition, ion-etching and

Figure. Types of microneedles (A) Before administration (B) after administration

2. Development of Microneedle device for therapeutics

Microneedles, which are micron-scale needles that can painless pierce into the upper layers of skin, can provide efficient transdermal drug delivery by making a path through the stratum corneum. We have fabricated various types of microneedle systems for transdermal delivery of various kinds of drugs. We developed microneedle system for local targeting for treatment of fecal incontinence and wart and for systemic delivery for treatment of Alzheimer disease and diabetics.

Figure. Descriptive figure of a DPH tip-loaded microneedle (a) after insertion into skin and

(b) after dissolution in skin and absorption of DPH into blood capillaries for systemic delivery

3. Development of Microneedle device for cosmetics

We have developed microneedle products for cosmetic applications. Wrinkle care, hair growth and acne treatment are those of microneedle applications for beauty. We set up efficacy test in wrinkle care and hair growth using animal models.

Figure. Image analysis of wrinkles

4. Development cooperation of microneedle product and tests of microneedle products

We have performed quality inspection of microneedle products produced by companies. Mechanical properties and drug delivery properties of microneedle-products are been performed using in vivo tests and well-equipped devices such as force-displacement machine with high accuracy, Franz cell, microtome, scanning electron microscope, viscometer and high performance chromatography.

5. Transdermal delivery test

We have performed test of drug delivery properties through skin. We hold cadaver human skin and pig skins for in-vitro test. Also we have performed animal testing of transdermal drug delivery.

Figure. Photo images od C57BL/6 mice as a model of animal experiment, treate in the back skin according to the method of dcelivery. After 18 days; (a) negative control (b) minoxidil solution and (c) 250 µm CMC microneedle