Combined Ultrasound and Microneedle for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery: Synergistic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Advances

January 2025 in “ BIO Integration ”

Lingling Lei, Wangrui Peng, Jianfeng Cai, Chao Lu

ultrasound microneedles transdermal drug delivery stratum corneum cavitation thermal effects macromolecules precision medicine

Studysummary This review highlights that the combination of ultrasound and microneedles can enhance transdermal drug delivery by using physical and energy-driven mechanisms to improve drug penetration into deeper skin layers, with implications for precision medicine and chronic disease treatments.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This review explores the synergistic combination of ultrasound and microneedles to enhance transdermal drug delivery (TDD), overcoming the limitations posed by the skin's stratum corneum and the shallow penetration of microneedles. The ultrasound-microneedle (US-MN) system utilizes mechanical stress, cavitation, and thermal effects to facilitate deeper drug penetration through microneedle-created channels, enabling precise and controlled drug release. The review discusses the mechanisms, innovations, and challenges in clinical translation of the US-MN system, highlighting its potential for delivering macromolecules and advancing precision medicine. It provides a roadmap for optimizing this platform to improve TDD for chronic diseases, vaccines, and targeted therapies.

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