The two microneedle coatings were examined microscopically and tested for strength before subjecting them to validation tests for drug delivery and sealing effectiveness. The sharp end of the needle could be dip-coated with the therapeutic drug, with the needle releasing the drug upon insertion into the eyeball.Īs an innovative addition, the blunt end of the microneedle was affixed with an experimentally-optimized hydrogel plug, which could swell after needle injection and seal off the insertion hole. This versatility in needle length allowed for a more controllable placement into the eyeball and more accurate drug delivery to the injury site the fineness of the needles minimize incision size in the eyeball. The team utilized a precision fabrication method to create biodegradable, sharply-tipped, ultrathin microneedles of various lengths. A collaborative team, including scientists from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, has built upon this technology by developing a novel, self-plugging microneedle for advanced injection treatment of the eyes. Other approaches involve polymer plugs to close the holes left by hypodermal needles, but this involves a separate step and time lag after injection.ĭifferent types of microneedles, both in singular or patch form, have proven effective for drug delivery into different regions of the eye, with minimal puncture size and optimally targeted drug delivery. ![]() In order to avoid these problems, implantable needles have been attempted for drug delivery however, mechanical difficulties and navigation through the viscous fluid in the eyeball have hampered accurate needle placement and pose an additional risk of retinal damage. It can also pose a risk for floating tumor cells in diseased eyes to escape through the puncture holes and migrate to other sites. In addition to this regimen being a hardship on patients, it introduces the risk of bacterial infection at the needle withdrawal site. In many cases, multiple injections are needed over a prolonged period of time in order to protect their vision. In this procedure, the injected drugs diffuse through the fluid within the eyeball to reach the damaged site. Some forms of retinopathy can be treated by the injection of drugs into the eyeball using syringes and hypodermic needles. Indeed, age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults over 60, and diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among U.S. This damage can cause symptoms ranging from distorted or seriously impaired vision to complete blindness and can be widespread among different populations. ![]() It enables vision by receiving light and converting it to signals that travel to the brain, which then interprets them as images.Īs vital as it is to clear, crisp vision, the retina and its critical central portion, the macula, are also subject to different types of damage due to age, genetics, disease and other risk factors. ![]() The retina is a thin layer of cells that make up the inner lining of the very back of the eyeball. “It is one of many simple, yet effective and impactful innovations from our institute, which is focused on translating biomedical engineering into clinical realities.” The challenge – and need – for retinal drug delivery “This novel improvement in drug delivery treatment can avoid problems associated with using needles to treat serious eye diseases,” said Ali Khademhosseini, Ph.D., TIBI’s Director and CEO and a co-author of the study. Additionally, this self-plugging microneedle can be fabricated with different needle lengths, so therapeutics can be precisely targeted and dispersed to retinal tissues or other areas within the eyeball. Recently published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials, the research shows preclinical evidence that this innovative, biodegradable microneedle, dip-coated with a therapeutic drug for release upon insertion into the eyeball, can also be equipped with a special hydrogel that simultaneously seals off the insertion hole.
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