biostudies-literature00510Plamadeala CAustrian Research Promotion Agency FFGAustrian Science Fund FWFEuropean Program H2020Interreg Program8https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6915113biostudies-literatureUnknown22(1)Biomimetics is the interdisciplinary scientific field focused on the study and imitation of biological systems, with the aim of solving complex technological problems. In this paper, we present a new bio-inspired design for microneedles (MNs) and MN arrays, intended for rapidly coating the MNs with drug/vaccine. The biomimetic approach consists in ornamenting the lateral sides of pyramidal MNs with structures inspired by the external scent efferent systems of some European true bugs, which facilitate a directional liquid transport. To realize these MNs, two-photon polymerization (TPP) technique was used. Liquid coating capabilities of structured and non-structured MNs were compared. Moreover, both in-vivo and ex-vivo skin tests were performed to prove that MNs pierce the skin. We show that the arrays of MNs can be accurately replicated using a micro-moulding technique. We believe this design will be beneficial for the process of drug/vaccine loading onto the needles' surfaces, by making it more efficient and by reducing the drug/vaccine wastage during MN coating process.Biomedical microdevicesBio-inspired microneedle design for efficient drug/vaccine coating.PMC6915113665337AUCZ14853482W 1250Jacak JO'Mahony CHeitz JPlamadeala CHischen FBuchroithner BBocchino ABaumgartner WGosain SRPuthukodan SWhelan D51falseBio-inspired microneedle design for efficient drug/vaccine coating.Biomimetics is the interdisciplinary scientific field focused on the study and imitation of biological systems, with the aim of solving complex technological problems. In this paper, we present a new bio-inspired design for microneedles (MNs) and MN arrays, intended for rapidly coating the MNs with drug/vaccine. The biomimetic approach consists in ornamenting the lateral sides of pyramidal MNs with structures inspired by the external scent efferent systems of some European true bugs, which facilitate a directional liquid transport. To realize these MNs, two-photon polymerization (TPP) technique was used. Liquid coating capabilities of structured and non-structured MNs were compared. Moreover, both in-vivo and ex-vivo skin tests were performed to prove that MNs pierce the skin. We show that the arrays of MNs can be accurately replicated using a micro-moulding technique. We believe this design will be beneficial for the process of drug/vaccine loading onto the needles' surfaces, by making it more efficient and by reducing the drug/vaccine wastage during MN coating process.2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Dec2024-02-16T04:17:02.507Z2020-05-22T14:21:35ZS-EPMC69151133184506610.1007/s10544-019-0456-z