For patients with chronic conditions, daily or long-term injections can be a painful and disruptive part of life. A team of researchers from Chung-Ang University in South Korea has developed a new wearable microneedle patch that could change how medications are delivered. Inspired by the structure of a bee sting, this patch uses soft, breathable microneedles to deliver drugs continuously through the skin without causing discomfort.
The technology, known as Electrospun Web Microneedles (EW-MNs), combines nanoscale fibers with metal microneedle tips. These fibers are created using an electrospinning process, which forms a web-like layer that mimics the barbed anchoring mechanism of a bee sting. This design allows the microneedles to stay securely attached to the skin, enabling steady and sustained drug release.
To test the system, the researchers loaded the microneedles with rivastigmine, a drug commonly used to treat neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In animal studies using guinea pigs, the EW-MNs delivered more than twice the amount of drug compared to conventional patches and covered a five-fold larger area. Importantly, the treatment caused minimal irritation, and any mild skin reactions disappeared quickly after removing the patch.
Professor Wonku Kang, who led the study, emphasized the potential of this technology to improve patient comfort and compliance. Unlike rigid microneedles that can cause irritation during extended use, the EW-MNs are designed for long-term wear and could be especially beneficial for elderly patients, children, and individuals with needle phobia.
Article from Chung-Ang University: Bee-Sting Inspired Microneedles from Chung-Ang University Could Revolutionize Drug Delivery
Abstract in Advanced Healthcare Materials: Bee Stinger-Like Wearable Electrospun Web Microneedles for Sustained CNS Drug Delivery
