This technology is a design and manufacturing method for microneedle arrays to precisely deliver therapeutic materials to difficult-to-reach anatomical locations.
Unmet Need: Accurate low-risk drug delivery across anatomic barriers
Current methods to deliver therapeutic materials across anatomical barriers to enclosed spaces in the eye, ear, and central nervous system are inherently inaccurate and may cause functional damage to sensory systems. Additionally, such methods are typically one-time dosing treatments, limiting the potential therapeutic efficacy. Microneedle arrays have been adapted for rapid and painless drug injection across the skin. However, microneedle geometry and materials need to be optimized for application in specific anatomical barriers in sensory systems.
The Technology: Safe, controlled, cross-barrier drug delivery using biodegradable microneedle array
This technology describes design and manufacturing methods for ultra-sharp microneedle arrays for therapeutic delivery across anatomic barriers in the eye, ear, and central nervous system. With the advancement of two-photon lithography, microneedles arrays can be manufactured with micron-level precision and complex geometry optimized for anatomic barriers. Variable biodegradable materials enable the microneedles to decompose slowly after injection, preventing functional damage and allowing for controlled and continued release of medicine over preferred time intervals.
This technology has been validated in vitro and across the inner ear of guinea pig models.
Applications:
- Drug delivery device for difficult-to-reach structure in the ear, eye, and the central nervous system
- Microneedle manufacturing using two-photon polymerization lithography
- Detachable and implantable microneedle array-based drug delivery system
- Implantable microneedle array-based sensor system for disease diagnostics and monitoring
Advantages:
- Targeted, local and accurate drug delivery
- Microscopic perforation to avoid long-term functional damage
- Biodegradable materials for customizable therapeutics release
- Optimizable microneedle array geometry for anatomic application
Lead Inventor:
Anil K. Lalwani, M.D.
Patent Information:
Patent Status
Related Publications:
Aksit A, Lalwani AK, Kysar JW, West AC. “Simulation assisted design for microneedle manufacturing: computational modeling of two photon templated electrodeposition” J Manuf Process. 2021 Jun; 66: 211-219.
Aksit A, Rastogi S, Nadal ML, Parker AM, Lalwani AK, West AC, Kysar JW. “Drug delivery for the inner ear: ultra-sharp fully metallic microneedle” Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2021 Feb; 11(1): 214-226.
Yu M, Arteaga DN, Aksit A, Chiang H, Olsen ES, Kysar JW, Lalwani AK. “Anatomical and functional consequences of microneedle perforation of round window membrane” Otol Neurotol. 2020 Feb; 41(2): e280-e287.
Chiang H, Yu M, Aksit A, Wang W, Stern-Shavit S, Kysar JW, Lalwani AK. “3D-printed microneedles create precise perforations in human round window membrane in situ” Otol Neurotol. 2020 Feb; 41(2): 277-284.
Aksit A, Arteaga DN, Arriaga M, Wang X, Watanabe H, Kasza KE, Lalwani AK, Kysar JW. “In-vitro perforation of the round window membrane via direct 3-D printed microneedles” Biomed Microdevices. 2018 Jun 8; 20(2): 47.
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU18171, CU18172, CU18280, CU19233, CU20008
Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik