The Antibacterial Properties of Acid Anhydride Copolymer Microneedles

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The Antibacterial Properties of Acid Anhydride Copolymer Microneedles
by Ryan Boehm

Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University.

Abstract

Microneedles are microscale needle-like devices which can be utilized for the transdermal delivery of pharmacologic agents. In this work, microneedle arrays of biodegradable acid anhydride copolymer were prepared using a combination of visible light dynamic mask micro-stereolithography and micromolding. Gantrez® AN 169 BF was used as the biodegradable material for the microneedles. Nanoindentation, fourier transform infrared analysis, and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry were performed on this material to examine the mechanical and chemical properties. Gantrez® AN 169 BF microneedles were tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Zones of growth inhibition were observed for E. coli, S. aureus, E. faecalis and B. subtilis following application of the Gantrez® AN 169 BF microneedles in agar plating studies. Our results suggest that solid microneedle arrays prepared of these acid anhydride copolymers by indirect rapid prototyping techniques may serve as a delivery mechanism for pharmacologic agents and may be useful in treating a variety of skin infections.

Last Update: 31 May 2012

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