Numerical modeling and simulation for microneedles drug delivery: A novel comprehensive swelling-obstruction-mechanics model

Peijing Yang; Qinghua Song; Lujie Zhang; Zhanqiang Liu; Haifeng Ma

doi:10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114583

Numerical modeling and simulation for microneedles drug delivery: A novel comprehensive swelling-obstruction-mechanics model

Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2024 Nov 25:114583. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114583. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Peijing Yang¹, Qinghua Song², Lujie Zhang¹, Zhanqiang Liu³, Haifeng Ma⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Equipment and Technology for Metal Forming, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, PR China; Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250061, PR China.
² School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Equipment and Technology for Metal Forming, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, PR China; Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250061, PR China; Key National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical Engineering Education, Jinan 250061, PR China. Electronic address: ssinghua@sdu.edu.cn.
³ School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Equipment and Technology for Metal Forming, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, PR China; Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250061, PR China; School of Mechanical, Electrical & Information Engineering, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, PR China.
⁴ School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Equipment and Technology for Metal Forming, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, PR China; Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250061, PR China; Key National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical Engineering Education, Jinan 250061, PR China.

PMID: 39603481
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114583

Abstract

Hydrogel microneedles have attracted significant attention in drug delivery due to their non-invasiveness and efficient administration. However, a thorough understanding of the drug transport mechanism is essential to achieve controlled drug delivery and geometry optimization of microneedles. In this study, a new swelling-obstruction-mechanics model is presented to describe the swelling and drug release behavior of hydrogel microneedles. The model integrates the swelling kinetics, the obstruction scaling of drug molecules, and the mechanical properties of hydrogel and skin and reveals the effects of swelling of the microneedle matrix and drug molecules on drug release. Subsequently, numerical simulations were conducted using the model, which enabled the optimization of hydrogel microneedle design parameters by adjusting the input variables. The results show that the geometric parameters of microneedles, especially the cross-sectional shape, have a significant effect on the drug release performance. Nevertheless, the parameters affect each other and need to be considered in the selection of a variety of factors. Additionally, penetration depth significantly affects drug release efficiency, highlighting the need for auxiliary application devices. In summary, the model advances both theoretical understanding and practical design of hydrogel microneedles, identifying key factors in drug release and optimizing their efficiency and reliability for clinical applications.

Keywords: Drug delivery; Finite element simulation; Hydrogel microneedles; Mathematical model; Mechanical property; Swelling and obstruction scaling principle.