MICRONEEDLE
PATCH
IMPACT
Antigen Strengthening
More successful than standard injection for delivering antigen-strengthening proteins
A.C-4
T-Cell
Enhancement
Delivers
live adenovirus via which improves T-Cell memory, thus strengthening the immune system.
A.C-5
​
Influenza Vaccine
Successfully delivers influenza vaccine, leading to a virus-specific response in the immune system that could be sustained for a year.
A.C-6
DNA
Enhancement
Measles Vaccination
Delivers DNA-enhancing vaccine against the severe fever for thrombocytopenia syndrome virus
A.C-8
The microneedle patch dramatically changes the lives of individuals of developing nations, whose main cause of death is infectious disease. Due to transportation costs, standard needle vaccines are expensive, require cold storage*, and require health administrators to administer vaccines and dispose of needles properly. However, the microneedle patch is dry (not requiring cold storage), and its small size cuts down transportation costs by 20%**. These vaccinations can be disposed of in normal waste bins because of their dissolving needles, reducing the need for medical professionals to administer the patch since they could inherently be applied by the patients themselves. This can help individuals in lower-income communities, who need vaccines, but cannot afford standard transportation and storage costs associated with standard needles.
*= A.C-1
**= A.C-2
BENEFIT I: VACCINATION
Delivers a vaccine that strengthens the body's antigens against melanomic cancer.
A.C-3
Melanomic Cancer
Benefits of the Microneedle Patch
BENEFIT III: TREATMENT
Alzheimers
Dissolving hydrogel needles enter skin, and are surrounded by a film of donepenzil hydrocholoride,an approved treatment for Alzheimer's
A.C-14
Type 1 Diabetes
Multiple Sclerosis
Post Herpetic Neuralgia
Dispenses nanoparticles that specifically target the immune or neurodegenerative aspects of multiple sclerosis
A.C - 16
A "smart patch" can monitor the blood, based on the blood's pH, and quickly deliver insulin for patients with type I diabetes
A.C-15
Along with eliminating the chance of disease before the disease has occurred, the microneedle patch has also been used to treat certain diseases. Caches/pores within the microneedle patch, or the holes inside the patch itself, letting nanoparticles enter the body. These tiny nanoparticles are effective carriers for drugs, especially drugs for disease treatment, allowing drugs to enter the body quickly and treat diseases. Furthermore, the presence of nanoparticles themselves can also have a direct impact on the immune system in some cases, triggering antigens to form to best treat a disease.
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This method of treating will allow researchers to distribute heavy molecules and treatments to individuals in need of unconventional methods of drug deliveries, such as individuals who would wish to receive insulin through patches, instead of arduous injections, for their diabetes.
A single 60 minute application of capsaicin treated the local pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (pain of shingles) for up to 12 weeks
A.C - 17
BENEFIT II: COSMETICS
Acne Scar Removal
Delivers whitening essences and toners in the patch's caches to achieve brighter skin within Asian beauty community
A.C-10
​
Wrinkle Removal
Softens the appearance of wrinkles when adenosine cream is embedded and delivered through its needles.
A.C-11
Increasing Collagen
Delivers collagen through its needles, increasing skin thickness and elasticity, compared to standard light treatments.
A.C-12
Microneedle patches are now being used in the beauty world, and are primarily used in Asian beauty markets for skin care. With the introduction of the microneedle patches, heavy creams and treatments can be easily delivered into the skin to achieve healthier, more elastic skin in aging individuals. With this, several individuals, from the very wealthy to the average consumer, have greater access and efficiency to change their appearance.
The extreme of the microneedle patch (microneedling) removes the gel substrate and motorizes the needles to rapidly penetrate the skins dermal layer. One example of this microneedling is Kim Kardashian's Vampire Facial where in her blood was drawn, spun in a centrifuge, then her platelets were then applied to her face through micro-needling. This treatment caters to the wealthy, costing an exorbitant $2,500, where the lifting, smoothing, and evening effects last for roughly 15 months.