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Silk Based Porous Microneedle Array for Programmable Drug Delivery

Zhao, Tianxin, Zhao
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468852925

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science, University of Akron, Polymer Engineering.
In this thesis, a novel microneedle device is introduced for vaccine delivery. The specific device was designed to have porous structure in order to obtain a dual drug release profile. This feature would enhance the efficiency of immunization as well as control the overall dosage. Two phase separation systems -- silk fibroin (SF) with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and SF with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) -- was employed to form the porous structure. All of these polymers have great biocompatibility and can be processed in aqueous solution. Phase behaviors were studied using film samples cast from mixtures of SF/PVA or SF/PEO aqueous solution, with different blending ratios. A fluorescent dye -- fluorescein isothiolcyanate (FITC) was conjugated to PVA for visualizing phase behavior. Bright field and fluorescent images were obtained under optic microscope. Island/sea morphology was found in SF/PVA system where PVA was located in islands, and inverse island/sea morphology was found in SF/PEO system. SF/PVA-PAA and SF/PEO-PAA composite microneedles were fabricated. Their structures were characterized by bright field and fluorescent microscopy, confocal microscopy, and/or scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed a significant trend of phase separation scale with respect to PVA or PEO content.Then an in vitro tip release test was done. The released tips from composite microneedle array showed to hold the geometry. As for the fabricated microneedles, the phase separated structure can be preserved in both microneedle tips. Pores were exposed after an incubation test of SF/PEO-PAA microneedle tips. The morphology of phase separated structure can be tuned from island/sea structure to bicontinuous structure, by increasing the portion of hydrophilic polymer. In island/sea structure, the inner islands are not exposed even after extraction of hydrophilic polymer. The drug release relies on diffusion through SF matrix. In bicontinuous structure, most hydrophilic polymer is extracted, and thus releases the drug faster. With their different mechanism of releasing, the releasing profile can be fine-tuned to meet the specific requirement.
Younjin Min (Advisor)
Thein Kyu (Committee Chair)
Karim Alamgir (Committee Member)
53 p.
Biomedical Engineering; Polymers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zhao, Zhao, T. (2016). Silk Based Porous Microneedle Array for Programmable Drug Delivery [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468852925

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zhao, Zhao, Tianxin. Silk Based Porous Microneedle Array for Programmable Drug Delivery. 2016. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468852925.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zhao, Zhao, Tianxin. "Silk Based Porous Microneedle Array for Programmable Drug Delivery." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468852925

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1468852925
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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.