Developing a cost effective Advanced Microneedle Manufacturing Process (AMMP)

微型制造的微针阵列承诺无痛抽血和药物输注，只穿透皮肤的上部，避开神经。该项目需要在初步概念研究的基础上，开发一种快速、廉价的实心微针制造方法的可扩展工艺。这笔赠款将支持这种制造工艺发展到可商业化的水平，在这种水平上，这种新的工艺可以被许可并转让给现有的行业/铸造厂，帮助建立行业伙伴关系，或衍生为一家初创公司。微制造方法是制造固体微针阵列的理想方法，因为材料具有生物兼容性、坚固耐用，并可与其他微制造工艺大规模集成。我们展示了一种制作固体微针阵列的新方法。该项目将利用自动化技术将当前技术发展为高效可靠的制造工艺，使大面积、高密度阵列的新设计能够以可重复、可靠、成本高效和极其及时的工艺制造(设备可以在同一天以每秒约1微针的速度制造和测试)。该项目将创建一个新的生物医疗设备行业，使艾伯塔省和加拿大在这个竞争激烈的领域拥有竞争优势，并将减少医疗支出。

Microfabricated microneedle arrays promise painless blood extraction and drug infusion by penetrating only the upper part of the skin, avoiding the nerves. This project entails the development of a scalable process of a rapid, inexpensive, manufacturing method for solid microneedles, building on preliminary proof of concept research. This grant will support the advancement of this manufacturing process to a commercializable level, wherein this novel process can be licensed and transferred to existing industries/foundries, help establish industry partnerships, or spun out into a startup company.Microfabrication methods are ideal to create solid microneedle arrays, as the materials are biocompatible, robust and designed for large-scale integration with other micro manufacturing processes. We have demonstrated a new method to make solid microneedle arrays. This project will develop the current technology into an efficient and reliable fabrication process using automated technologies, enabling new designs of large area, high-density arrays to be manufactured in a repeatable, reliable, cost efficient, and extremely timely process (devices can be made and tested the same day at speeds of ~1 microneedle per second). This project will create a new biomedical device industry, giving Alberta and Canada a competitive edge in this highly competitive area, and will lead to reduced healthcare expenditure.