Twice Stretched Fabrication of Polylactic Acid Microneedle Arrays Using Drawing Lithography

Shingo Terashima*, Chikako Tatsukawa, Masato Suzuki, Tomokazu Takahashi, Seiji Aoyagi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A biodegradable poly-lactic acid (PLA) microneedle array composed of needles with a maximum length of 3 mm and an aspect ratio of up to approximately 18 was fabricated by drawing lithography. In the proposed fabrication method, the melted polymer is stretched twice. The approximate length is set in the first stretch, and the tip is sharpened in the second stretch. In the first stretch, by changing the thickness of the PLA sheet, PLA pillars with various lengths are fabricated. By defining the initial length of the needle, it is possible to set a wide range of aspect ratios and lengths. In the second stretch, it is possible to control the final aspect ratio and length of the needle, as well as the shape of its tip by changing the temperature and stretch speed of the PLA pillars. Finally, it was confirmed that the needle can pierce the surface of artificial skin and porcine skin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1933-1942
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
Volume21
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 Oct 1
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biocompatible material
  • Biodegradable material
  • Drawing lithography
  • Microneedle
  • Poly lactic acid (PLA)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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