Research
and Markets has announced the addition of the "Microneedles in Medicine
- Technology, Markets and Prospects" report to their offering.
Advances in the processing of materials on a micro-scale have led to the development
and introduction of devices that employ very small needles – microneedles
– that have significant potential in devices for diagnostics, healthcare
monitoring and drug delivery by mechanically perforating the outer skin layer
and allowing for transdermal drug absorption or fluid sampling. These processing
techniques incorporate one or more technologies that enable the precise machining,
extrusion, casting, and/or forming of from one to an array or grid of microneedles.
Several factors - include an aging patient population, biological drug therapies
for chronic conditions, and an emphasis on patient self-monitoring and self-care
– are driving an evolution in the way that healthcare is delivered. Evolving
microneedle systems will be well-positioned to address a significant segment
of the large –molecule biological drugs expected to emerge from the convergence
of automated discovery and genome mapping. Before microneedles find widespread
use, researchers must perfect the techniques for optimally inserting them into
the skin, and complete the integration of microneedles into a full diagnostic,
monitoring or drug delivery system.
Microneedle Technology and Minimally Invasive Medicine:
Advances in the processing of materials on a microscale have led to the development
and introduction of devices that employ very small needles – microneedles
– that have significant potential in devices for diagnostics, healthcare
monitoring and drug delivery by mechanically perforating the outer skin layer
and allowing for transdermal drug absorption or fluid sampling. These processing
techniques incorporate one or more technologies that enable the precise machining,
extrusion, casting, and/or forming of from one to an array or grid of microneedles.
Several factors - include an aging patient population, biological drug therapies
for chronic conditions, and an emphasis on patient self-monitoring and self-care
– are driving an evolution in the way that healthcare is delivered. Evolving
microneedle systems will be well positioned to address a significant segment
of the large –molecule biological drugs expected to emerge from the convergence
of automated discovery and genome mapping. Before microneedles find widespread
use, researchers must perfect the techniques for optimally inserting them into
the skin, and complete the integration of microneedles into a full diagnostic,
monitoring or drug delivery system.