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Zaca-Morán R, Mitre-Martínez DG, Castillo-Mixcóalt J, Zaca-Morán P, Ramos-García R, Ramírez-San-Juan JC, Morán-Raya C, Padilla-Martínez JP. 3D printed needleless injector based on thermocavitation: analysis of impact and penetration depth in skin phantoms in a repetitive regime. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01639-1. [PMID: 38831200 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01639-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
A global issue that requires attention is the duality between the shortage of needles for regular vaccination campaigns and the exponential increase in syringe and needle waste from such campaigns, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this problem, this study presents a 3D printed needleless injector based on thermocavitation. The work focused on investigating the interaction of the resulting liquid jets with skin phantoms at different concentrations (1-2%), emphasizing their impact and penetration depth in a repetitive regime. The injector was designed and fabricated from a semi-transparent polymer using a high-resolution 3D printer, allowing the ejection of liquid jets with velocities up to ~ 73 m/s. The impact of these jets on skin phantoms was evaluated using a high-speed camera. After 6 consecutive liquid jets (1% concentration), a maximum penetration depth of ~ 2.5 mm was achieved, delivering approximately 4.7 µL. For the highest concentration (2.0%) and the same number of shots, the penetration depth was reduced to ~ 0.6 mm with a delivered volume of ~ 0.7 µL. An important finding of this study is that the liquid jet with the highest pressure does not cause the maximum penetration depth, but is the result of a series of successive shots. In addition, the velocity and shape of the ejected jet are determined by the amount of solution and the meniscus formed inside the injector. These findings advance the development of precise and efficient thermocavitation-based injectors with broad potential applications in medical and pharmaceutical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Zaca-Morán
- Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, 72050, México
- División de Posgrado, Universidad Politécnica de Tulancingo, Tulancingo de Bravo, Hidalgo, 43629, México
| | | | - Juan Castillo-Mixcóalt
- Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, 72050, México
| | - Placido Zaca-Morán
- Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, 72050, México
| | - Rubén Ramos-García
- Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, Coordinación de óptica, Tonantzintla, Puebla, 72840, México
| | - Julio César Ramírez-San-Juan
- Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, Coordinación de óptica, Tonantzintla, Puebla, 72840, México
| | - Carolina Morán-Raya
- Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, 72050, México
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González-Sierra NE, Perez-Corte JM, Padilla-Martinez JP, Cruz-Vanegas S, Bonfadini S, Storti F, Criante L, Ramos-García R. Bubble dynamics and speed of jets for needle-free injections produced by thermocavitation. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2023; 28:075004. [PMID: 37484974 PMCID: PMC10362157 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.28.7.075004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Significance The number of injections administered has increased dramatically worldwide due to vaccination campaigns following the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a problem of disposing of syringes and needles. Accidental needle sticks occur among medical and cleaning staff, exposing them to highly contagious diseases, such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus. In addition, needle phobia may prevent adequate treatment. To overcome these problems, we propose a needle-free injector based on thermocavitation. Aim Experimentally study the dynamics of vapor bubbles produced by thermocavitation inside a fully buried 3D fused silica chamber and the resulting high-speed jets emerging through a small nozzle made at the top of it. The injected volume can range from ∼ 0.1 to 2 μ L per shot. We also demonstrate that these jets have the ability to penetrate agar skin phantoms and ex-vivo porcine skin. Approach Through the use of a high-speed camera, the dynamics of liquid jets ejected from a microfluidic device were studied. Thermocavitation bubbles are generated by a continuous wave laser (1064 nm). The 3D chamber was fabricated by ultra-short pulse laser-assisted chemical etching. Penetration tests are conducted using agar gels (1%, 1.25%, 1.5%, 1.75%, and 2% concentrations) and porcine tissue as a model for human skin. Result High-speed camera video analysis showed that the average maximum bubble wall speed is about 10 to 25 m/s for almost any combination of pump laser parameters; however, a clever design of the chamber and nozzle enables one to obtain jets with an average speed of ∼ 70 m / s . The expelled volume per shot (0.1 to 2 μ l ) can be controlled by the pump laser intensity. Our injector can deliver up to 20 shots before chamber refill. Penetration of jets into agar of different concentrations and ex-vivo porcine skin is demonstrated. Conclusions The needle-free injectors based on thermocavitation may hold promise for commercial development, due to their cost and compactness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José Manuel Perez-Corte
- Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, Coordinación de Óptica, Puebla, México
| | | | - Samuel Cruz-Vanegas
- Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, Coordinación de Óptica, Puebla, México
| | - Silvio Bonfadini
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Milano, Italy
| | - Filippo Storti
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Milano, Italy
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Physics, Milano, Italy
| | - Luigino Criante
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Milano, Italy
| | - Rubén Ramos-García
- Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, Coordinación de Óptica, Puebla, México
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Yu CC, Shah A, Amiri N, Marcus C, Nayeem MOG, Bhayadia AK, Karami A, Dagdeviren C. A Conformable Ultrasound Patch for Cavitation-Enhanced Transdermal Cosmeceutical Delivery. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2300066. [PMID: 36934314 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Increased consumer interest in healthy-looking skin demands a safe and effective method to increase transdermal absorption of innovative therapeutic cosmeceuticals. However, permeation of small-molecule drugs is limited by the innate barrier function of the stratum corneum. Here, a conformable ultrasound patch (cUSP) that enhances transdermal transport of niacinamide by inducing intermediate-frequency sonophoresis in the fluid coupling medium between the patch and the skin is reported. The cUSP consists of piezoelectric transducers embedded in a soft elastomer to create localized cavitation pockets (0.8 cm2 , 1 mm deep) over larger areas of conformal contact (20 cm2 ). Multiphysics simulation models, acoustic spectrum analysis, and high-speed videography are used to characterize transducer deflection, acoustic pressure fields, and resulting cavitation bubble dynamics in the coupling medium. The final system demonstrates a 26.2-fold enhancement in niacinamide transport in a porcine model in vitro with a 10 min ultrasound application, demonstrating the suitability of the device for short-exposure, large-area application of sonophoresis for patients and consumers suffering from skin conditions and premature skin aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Chen Yu
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Aastha Shah
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Nikta Amiri
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Colin Marcus
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | | | - Amit Kumar Bhayadia
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Amin Karami
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Canan Dagdeviren
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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van der Ven DL, Morrone D, Quetzeri-Santiago MA, Fernandez Rivas D. Microfluidic jet impact: Spreading, splashing, soft substrate deformation and injection. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 636:549-558. [PMID: 36652830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Needle-free injections using microfluidic jets could be optimized by reducing splashing and controlling injection depth. However, this is impeded by an incomplete understanding on how jet characteristics influence impact outcome. We hypothesise that exploring the relation between microfluidic jet characteristics and substrate shear modulus on impact behavior will assist in predicting and giving insights on the impact outcome on skin and injection endpoints. EXPERIMENTS To do so, a setup using microfluidic chips, at varying laser powers and stand-off distances, was used to create thermocavitation generated microfluidic jets with ranging characteristics (velocity: 7-77 m/s, diameter: 35-120 μm, Weber-number: 40-4000), which were impacted on substrates with different shear modulus. FINDINGS Seven impact regimes were found, depending on jet Weber-number and substrate shear modulus, and we identified three thresholds: i) spreading/splashing threshold, ii) dimple formation threshold, and iii) plastic/elastic deformation threshold. The regimes show similarity to skin impact, although the opacity of skin complicated determining the threshold values. Additionally, we found that jet velocity has a higher predictive value for injection depth compared to the Weber-number, and consequently, the jet-diameter. Our findings provide fundamental knowledge on the interaction between microfluidic jets and substrates, and are relevant for optimizing needle-free injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana L van der Ven
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems group, MESA+ Institute and Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Davide Morrone
- Nanovea SRL, Via Balegno 1, 10040 Rivalta di Torino, Italy
| | - Miguel A Quetzeri-Santiago
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems group, MESA+ Institute and Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, the Netherlands.
| | - David Fernandez Rivas
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems group, MESA+ Institute and Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, the Netherlands.
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Miyazaki Y, Usawa M, Kawai S, Yee J, Muto M, Tagawa Y. Dynamic mechanical interaction between injection liquid and human tissue simulant induced by needle-free injection of a highly focused microjet. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14544. [PMID: 34267280 PMCID: PMC8282861 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the fluid-tissue interaction of needle-free injection by evaluating the dynamics of the cavity induced in body-tissue simulant and the resulting unsteady mechanical stress field. Temporal evolution of cavity shape, stress intensity field, and stress vector field during the injection of a conventional injection needle, a proposed highly focused microjet (tip diameter much smaller than capillary nozzle), and a typical non-focused microjet in gelatin were measured using a state-of-the-art high-speed polarization camera, at a frame rate up to 25,000 f.p.s. During the needle injection performed by an experienced nurse, high stress intensity lasted for an order of seconds (from beginning of needle penetration until end of withdrawal), which is much longer than the order of milliseconds during needle-free injections, causing more damage to the body tissue. The cavity induced by focused microjet resembled a funnel which had a narrow tip that penetrated deep into tissue simulant, exerting shear stress in low intensity which diffused through shear stress wave. Whereas the cavity induced by non-focused microjet rebounded elastically (quickly expanded into a sphere and shrank into a small cavity which remained), exerting compressive stress on tissue simulant in high stress intensity. By comparing the distribution of stress intensity, tip shape of the focused microjet contributed to a better performance than non-focused microjet with its ability to penetrate deep while only inducing stress at lower intensity. Dynamic mechanical interaction revealed in this research uncovered the importance of the jet shape for the development of minimally invasive medical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Miyazaki
- Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Japan
| | - Masashi Usawa
- Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Japan
| | - Shuma Kawai
- Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Japan
| | - Jingzu Yee
- Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Japan
| | - Masakazu Muto
- Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Tagawa
- Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Japan.
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Krizek J, Lavickova B, Moser C. Degradation study on molecules released from laser-based jet injector. Int J Pharm 2021; 602:120664. [PMID: 33933639 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Development of needle-free methods to administer injectable therapeutics has been researched for a few decades. We focused our attention on a laser-based jet injection technique where the liquid-jet actuation mechanism is based on optical cavitation. This study investigates the potential damage to therapeutic molecules which are exposed to nanosecond laser pulses in the configuration of a compact laser-based jet injection device. Implementation of a pulsed laser source at 1574 nm wavelength allowed us to generate jets from pure water solutions and circumvent the need to reformulate therapeutics with absorbing dyes. We performed H1-NMR analysis on exposed samples of Lidocaine and δ-Aminolevulinic acid. We made several tests with linear and plasmid DNA to assess the structural integrity and functional potency after ejection with our device. The tests showed no significant degradation or detectable side products, which is promising for further development and eventually clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Krizek
- School of Engineering, Laboratory of Applied Photonics Devices, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Station 17, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Barbora Lavickova
- School of Engineering, Laboratory of Biological Network Characterisation, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Station 17, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Moser
- School of Engineering, Laboratory of Applied Photonics Devices, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Station 17, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Rohilla P, Marston J. Feasibility of laser induced jets in needle free jet injections. Int J Pharm 2020; 589:119714. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Krizek J, De Goumoëns F, Delrot P, Moser C. Needle-free delivery of fluids from compact laser-based jet injector. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:3784-3791. [PMID: 32902554 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00646g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Jet injection devices have been studied and developed for transdermal drug delivery to avoid the use of needles. Due to bulky actuation mechanisms, they are limited to body areas that are easy to reach such as skin. Here, we demonstrate a thin and long liquid delivery system (e.g. flexible and 30 cm long with 1.2 mm outer diameter) compatible with minimally invasive surgical procedures. The actuation mechanism is based on optical cavitation in a capillary nozzle where a laser pulse is delivered via a multimode optical fibre. We show good controllability of the jet speed by varying the actuation laser fluence. The generated jets can successfully penetrate into a 1% agarose gel which is representative of the mechanical properties of several soft body tissues. We further observe that when the system is used in a low laser energy regime (<60 μJ), the ejection is in the form of the single droplet which is promising for fluid delivery with high volume precision or drop-on-demand inkjet printing. The jet injection system we propose has the potential to deliver heat-sensitive therapeutics as we show processing of biomolecules without altering their functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Krizek
- School of Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Station 17, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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