Scalable Fabrication of PEGDA Microneedles Using UV Exposure via a Rotating Prism

Abstract

We propose a simple, fast, height-scalable, and direct way to fabricate highly biocompatible polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) microneedles. A needle-shaped distribution of ultraviolet (UV) exposure dose is formed in PEGDA by applying UV light through a rotating prism. A prism makes UV light rays bend, such that the base angle of the prism determines the inclined angle of the light. Thus, the microneedle height can be controlled by varying the base angles of the prism. We experimentally demonstrate the direct height-scalable potential. The microneedle height decreases and the microneedle tip angle increases with increases in the base angle of the prism. These results indicate that the microneedle geometry can be easily controlled by the base angle of a prism without additional microfabrication. In addition, unlike photoresist microneedles, PEGDA does not require any thermal baking, thus enabling well-defined symmetric needle formation with short process time. Therefore, the present method can facilitate PEGDA microneedles to practical applications.