Development and Characterization of a Silicon Carbide-Based Eight-Lumen Microneedle for Transdermal Applications

Microneedles are advanced devices that ensure efficient, painless transdermal delivery of drugs and biomolecules, with significant potential in biomedical applications. In this study, a novel silicon carbide-based microneedle design was proposed, featuring a tip integrated with eight lumens that optimized fluid flow and minimized blockages, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of transdermal therapy. The study performed finite element analysis (FEA) of the microneedle with a sensitivity of 0.001, investigating its mechanical and fluidic properties. The analysis considered the fluids water, ethanol, blood, and glycerol. The mean maximum pressures in the lumens and the total flow rates were obtained at inlet pressures ranging from 10 Pa to 100 Pa in 10 Pa increments. The flow rates through the lumens exhibited a near-linear relationship with inlet pressure, maintaining a linearity that exceeded 99%. Additionally, the mechanical behavior of the microneedle was investigated under axial and bending loading. This design, utilizing silicon carbide and a multi-lumen structure, was observed to improve the performance, mechanical stability, and fluid delivery efficiency of the microneedle compared to previous models. A significant advancement was achieved with a durable, efficient microneedle design for fluid delivery, setting a benchmark for future biomedical innovations.