• BioChip Journal
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2018

Microneedles (MNs) are being developed to overcome the limitations of the conventional hypodermic needle, e.g. the injection pain. In this study, we conducted an analysis of clinical pain and bleeding at the site of MN insertion and evaluated the insulin pharmacodynamic profile compared with parameters obtained with a conventional pen needle. MN insertion into the skin of 25 healthy adults or 15 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) revealed significantly less pain relative to a conventional hypodermic pen needle, thus reducing pain scores from $2.1{\pm}1.9$ to $21.3{\pm}1.4$ ($mean{\pm}standard$ deviation [SD]). Besides, no bleeding was observed when the MN was used. In the insulin pharmacodynamic assay, no significant differences were observed in the blood glucose-lowering effect between the pen needle and MN. Based on these results, the MN is expected to be a good substitute for conventional hypodermic pen needles and improve the quality of life of patients by significantly reducing the pain associated with insulin treatment.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.23-31
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this research was to find out the efficacy of Castanea crenata Inner Shell (CCIS) on the skin by comparing the difference effect between only MTS (microneedle therapy system) and the CCIS essence application after MTS treatment. Methods : The present author performed once a week and total 3 times of MTS treatment. The treatment time took about 5 ~ 10 minutes and the depth of the needle was adjusted according to the participant's skin condition. In the control group, essence base was applied after MTS and in the experimental group, CCIS powder dissolved essence was applied. One week after each treatment, the change of skin condition was measured. Two weeks after the end of the clinical trial, the skin condition was checked again. Results : In the case of the test group and the control group, there was a significant decrease in thermography temperature and there was a significant increase in skin tone. In the case of pores and pigmentation, there was no significant difference on both group. In the case of moisture, there was a significant increase only in the test group. Conclusion : The MTS treatment itself showed good effects on thermography temperature and skin tone. But in the case of the moisture effect, it was much better when the CCIS essence was applied to the skin after MTS treatment. This study suggests that CCIS essence increases the efficacy of MTS on the point of moisture.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1721-1725
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• 2010

This paper reports the fabrication of geometry-controlled carbon microneedles by a backside exposure method and pyrolysis. The SU-8 microneedles are a polymer precursor in a carbonization process, which geometries such as base diameter, spacing, and aspect ratio can be controlled in a photolithography step. Using this fabrication method, highly reproducible carbon microneedles, which have high aspect ratios of more than 10 and very sharp nanotips, can be realized. The quartz surface with carbon microneedles becomes very hydrophilic and its wettability is adjusted by carrying out the silane treatment. In the carbon microneedle array ($3\;{\mu}m{\times}3\;{\mu}m$), the contact angle is extremly enhanced (${\sim}180^{\circ}$); this will be advantageous in developing low-drag microfluidics and labs-on-a-chip as well as in other bio-applications.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.1433-1434
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• 2010

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.411.1-411.1
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• 2014

This study evaluates the utility of an antibacterial microneedle composed of green tea extract (GT) and hyaluronic acid (HA), for the efficient delivery of GT. These microneedles have the potential to be a patient-friendly method for the conventional sustained release of drugs. In this study, a fabrication method using a mold-based technique to produce GT/HA microneedles with a maximum area of ${\sim}60mm^2$ with antibacterial properties was used to manufacture transdermal drug delivery systems. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry was carried out to observe the potential modifications in the microneedles, when incorporated with GT. The degradation rate of GT in GT/HA microneedles was controlled simply by adjusting the HA composition. The effects of different ratios of GT in the HA microneedles were determined by measuring the release properties. In HA microneedles loaded with 70% GT (GT70), a continuous higher release rate were sustained for 72 h. The in vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that GT/HA microneedles are not generally cytotoxic to chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1), human embryonic kidney cells (293T), and mouse muscle cells (C2C12), which were treated for 12 and 24 h. Antimicrobial activity of the GT/HA microneedles was demonstrated by ~95% growth reduction of gram negative [Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas putida (P. putida) and Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium)] and gram positive bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis)], with GT70. Furthermore, GT/HA microneedles reduced bacterial growth in the infected skin wound sites and improved skin wound healing process in rat model.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.391-396
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• 2014

Polymer microneedles can be fabricated by a micromolding method, an easy and cost-effective method. However, it is not easy to achieve uniform coating with an aqueous coating solution due to hydrophobic surface of polymer microneedles. 3-Dimensional coating polymer microneedles could deliver more than twice as much dose as in-plane metal microneedles by increasing coating area and the number of microneedles per unit area. A uniform coating was not obtained by addition of coating additives in the coating solution. The satisfied coating was achieved by treatment of surface of polymer microneedle with metal deposition and UV/ozone, and UV/ozone treatment was an ultimate surface treatment method based on biological safety. Calcein coating polymer microneedles were prepared by using UV/ozone treatment and followed dip-coating, and they delivered calcein in porcine skin successfully after 15 min of insertion.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 2019

Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) accumulation is a constitutional disorder resulting from metabolic syndrome. Although surgical and non-surgical methods for reducing SAT exist, patients remain non-compliant because of potential adverse effects and cost. In this study, we developed a new minimally-invasive approach to achieve SAT reduction, using a microneedle (MN) patch prepared from gelatin, which is capable of regulating fat metabolism. Four gelatin types were used: three derived from fish (SA-FG, GT-FG 220, and GT-FG 250), and one from swine (SM-PG 280). We applied gelatin-based MN patches five times over 4 weeks to rats with high-fat diet (HD)-induced obesity, and determined the resulting amount of SAT. We also investigated the histological features and determined the expression levels of fat metabolism-associated genes in SAT using hematoxylin and eosin staining and western blotting, respectively. SAT decreased following treatment with all four gelatin MN patches. Smaller adipocytes were observed in the regions treated with SA-FG, GT-FG 250, and SM-PG 280 MNs, demonstrating a decline in fat accumulation. The expression levels of fat metabolism-associated genes in the MN-treated SAT revealed that GT-FG 220 regulates fatty acid synthase (FASN) protein levels. These findings suggest that gelatin MN patches aid in decreasing the quantity of unwanted SAT by altering lipid metabolism and fat deposition.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.139-149
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• 2019

Objectives : A dermal needle is one of the therapeutic method by stimulating or tapping on the certain points of skin. Recently, roller or stamp-needle have been applied to various diseases in combination with microneedle technology. In this study, we analyzed the trend of roller and stamp-needle in Korean patent. Methods : Electronic search for Korean patent of roller or stamp needle was performed in Korea Intellectual Property Right Information Service database to April, 2019. Results : Sixty seven patents (51, roller-needle; 15, stamp-needle; 1, both types of needle) met the inclusion criteria. According to patent details, 34 of 67 patents were skin stimulation, 14 patents were intended to increase the efficiency of drug delivery through skin stimulation, 16 patents combined skin stimulation with technologies such as electrode or high frequency, and three patents applied both electrode or high frequency stimulation, and drug application as well as physical skin stimulation. Each of these patents aims to increase the efficiency of the needle manufacturing process (n=24), to facilitate the use of tools or to increase the efficiency of the technology (n=61), or to increase the technical skill of the needle itself (n=23). Conclusions : This study confirms that technological advances were being made by combining various types of stimuli to dermal needle and there have been attempts to expand the scope of drug delivery in terms of application of dermal needle. In the future, more research and development is needed in order to apply the dermal needle to modern technology.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.62-74
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of acupuncture and the details of acupuncture treatment methods on skin wrinkles. Methods : Search was conducted in Pubmed, KISS, and NDSL databases for acupuncture studies on skin wrinkles. The detailed therapeutic techniques of acupuncture used for skin wrinkles and the effect of acupuncture on skin wrinkle improvement were analyzed. Then, the study results using the same indicator were compared through meta-analysis in order to compare the effects of acupuncture with the control group. The quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the risk of bias (ROB) assessment tool (Ver. 1.0, Cochrane Collaboration). Results : A total of 10 RCTs and 19 case series were included in this study. The most frequently used therapeutic technique for skin wrinkle improvement was Microneedle therapy system (MTS, n=19), and they were mostly used with aesthetic solutions (13 out of 19 studies). Skin wrinkle related indexes were most commonly used to evaluate skin wrinkle improvement (n=14). Panax Ginseng pharmacopuncture showed the most remarkable effect in improving the range of skin wrinkles and the depth of skin wrinkles. MTS+epidermal growth factor improved the levels of skin hydration, skin elasticity, and variation of skin pigment the most. MTS+Endothelial precursor cell improved the number of skin melanin the most. Three RCTs included in the meta-analysis showed moderate ROB on average. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment was effective in improving skin wrinkles. However, a precise study design using unified indicators and appropriate controls needs to be performed in further studies in order to establish more convincing evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for improving skin wrinkles.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to find out the efficacy of placenta on the skin by comparing the difference effect between only MTS (microneedle therapy system) and the placenta extract application after MTS treatment. Methods : The present author performed once a week and total 4 times of MTS treatment. The treatment time took about 5~10 minutes and the depth of the needle was adjusted according to the participant's skin condition. One week after each treatment, the change of skin condition was measured. Two weeks after the end of the clinical trial, the skin condition was checked again. Results : In the case of moisture and elasticity, significant increases were observed in both the experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, skin temperature significantly decreased one week after the second treatment, and pore size significantly increased one week after the third treatment. In the case of skin tone, there was a significant temporary decrease after the first treatment in the control group, and in the experimental group, the skin tone showed a total decrease. Conclusion : When placenta extract was applied after MTS, skin temperature decreased and pores enlarged in the second and third treatments, and side effects such as rash and itchiness appeared. The final result showed a significant increase in skin moisture and elasticity. When animal-based ingredients containing high fat content are applied to the skin, the effect on the skin is good, but hypersensitivity reactions may occur, so use them with caution.