Optimisation of a biodegradable microneedle array

微针是一种使用微米大小的针头通过生物屏障（如皮肤）输送药物的设备，使用简单且无痛。微针可以用多种材料制造。装载所需药物的可生物降解聚合物已被用于提供包括避孕药在内的药物的持续递送。设计功能性可生物降解的微针需要仔细设计和优化针的几何形状、聚合物的材料特性和应用方法。还有其他一些相关的考虑，包括制造方法。这个跨学科项目将使用先进的计算建模技术和实验测试来优化可生物降解微针阵列的设计。计算建模将包括开发方法来模拟针的插入。这是计算建模的一个复杂和具有挑战性的元素，因此可以开发新的方法，将基础研究与医疗设备开发结合起来。实验技术将用于验证计算模型的结果。拟议的奖学金属于工程EPSRC研究主题。所进行的研究将涵盖这一主题的一系列主题；-高分子材料；表征新开发的载药聚合物，通过计算建模评估其对所需应用的适用性，并使用合适的材料进行药物输送。-临床技术；开发药物输送的新解决方案，开发的技术将转移到避孕药以外的药物上。-制造技术；最终产品将使用药物负载聚合物优化注射成型工艺，并需要制造微型模具。-微系统;一种新型微型给药装置的研制。

EPSRC Portfolio: Engineering, HealthcareMicroneedles are devices that use micron sized needles to deliver drugs across biological barriers, such as the skin, in a simple to use and pain free manner. Microneedles can be manufactured using a range of materials. Biodegradable polymers, loaded with the desired drug, have been used to provide sustained delivery of medications including contraceptives. Designing functional biodegradable microneedles requires careful design and optimisation of needle geometry, the material properties of the polymer and the method of application. There are several other related considerations including the method of manufacture. This interdisciplinary project will use advanced computational modelling techniques and experimental testing to optimise the design of a biodegradable microneedle array. Computational modelling will include developing methods to model needle insertion. This is a complex and challenging element of computational modelling, and as such new approaches may be developed, incorporating fundamental research alongside medical device development. Experimental techniques will be used to validate computational modelling results. The proposed studentship sits within the Engineering EPSRC research theme. The research conducted will cover a range of topics within this theme; - Polymer materials; characterising newly developed drug loaded polymers, assessing their suitability for the desired application through computational modelling, and using the suitable material for drug delivery. - Clinical technologies; developing novel solutions to drug delivery, and the developed technology will be transferable to drugs other than contraceptives. - Manufacturing technologies; the final product will optimise an injection moulding process using a drug loaded polymer and require the manufacture of micro moulds. - Microsystems; development of a novel micro device for drug delivery.