약물 전달 시스템(DDS, Drug Delivery System)은 우리 몸속에 필요한 약물을 원하는 부위에 효율적으로 전달할 수 있는 기술을 말한다. 그 중에서도 피부를 통해 약물을 전달하는 경피 약물 전달 시스템(TDDS, Transdermal drug delivery system)[15]은 사용이 간편하고 장시간 연속 투여가 가능할 뿐만 아니라 위장관을 거치지 않고 약물이 흡수되는 방식이기 때문에 위장 장애에 대한 부작용이 적다는 장점을 가지고 있다. 경피 약물 전달 시스템(TDDS, Transdermal drug delivery system) 중 마이크로니들은 수백 마이크로미터의 길이를 가지고 있으며 피부에 미세한 구멍을 내어 약물을 효율적으로 전달할 수 있는 기술이다. 마이크로니들에서 가장 중요한 장벽은 각질층이며 각질층 투과에 용이하여야 효율적인 약물 전달이 가능하다. 약물의 효율성을 극대화하기 위해서는 마이크로니들의 모양과 배치도 중요한 요소로 보인다. 현재 많은 기업에서 연구되고 있는 마이크로니들의 모양은 피라미드 형태의 사각뿔, 원뿔, 총알 모양 등 다양한 형태로 제작되어 약물을 적용한 연구가 진행되고 있기 때문에[14] 이에 기존에 나와있는 마이크로니들 제품 대비하여 보다 투과성이 좋은 마이크로니들을 연구하기 위해서는 길이뿐 만 아니라 배열과 모양에 따라고 피부의 투과성이 다를 수 있음을 확인하고 증명하여 더욱 효율적인 약물 전달이 가능한 마이크로니들을 제작하기 위함이다.
A drug delivery system (DDS) is a technology that can efficiently deliver drugs in the body to the desired area, in which it’s needed. Among them, the transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS), which delivers drugs through the skin, is easy to use, allows continuous delivery for a long period, and has low side effects for gastrointestinal disorders because the drug is absorbed without passing through the gastrointestinal tract. Among transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS), microneedles are hundreds of micrometers long and are a technology that creates small holes in the skin to efficiently deliver drugs. The most important barrier in this technology is the stratum corneum, and effective drug delivery is only possible if it easily penetrates the stratum corneum. Microneedles are currently being researched by many companies are manufactured in various shapes such as pyramids, square pyramids, cones, and bullets, and research is being conducted on drug applications. Likewise, the shapes and arrangements of microneedles appear to be an important factor in maximizing the effect of the drug. Accordingly, the goal is to manufacture microneedles that are easy to deliver drugs by confirming and proving that skin permeability can vary depending on the shapes and arrangements.
A drug delivery system (DDS) is a technology that can efficiently deliver drugs in the body to the desired area, in which it’s needed. Among them, the transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS), which delivers drugs through the skin, is easy to use, allows continuous delivery for a long period, and has low side effects for gastrointestinal disorders because the drug is absorbed without passing through the gastrointestinal tract. Among transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS), microneedles are hundreds of micrometers long and are a technology that creates small holes in the skin to efficiently deliver drugs. The most important barrier in this technology is the stratum corneum, and effective drug delivery is only possible if it easily penetrates the stratum corneum. Microneedles are currently being researched by many companies are manufactured in various shapes such as pyramids, square pyramids, cones, and bullets, and research is being conducted on drug applications. Likewise, the shapes and arrangements of microneedles appear to be an important factor in maximizing the effect of the drug. Accordingly, the goal is to manufacture microneedles that are easy to deliver drugs by confirming and proving that skin permeability can vary depending on the shapes and arrangements.