Advanced Science· 2026Q1
Programmable Self‐Heating Microneedle Patch for on‐Demand Postprandial Glucose Management
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
A novel microneedle patch uses a programmable self-heating mechanism to deliver insulin on-demand, successfully controlling blood glucose levels for over 3 hours in diabetic rats and counteracting multiple meal-induced spikes over 24 hours.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- The PSH-MN patch features a 3D-printed backing with four quadrants, each containing a CaO-based exothermic mixture and water capsule.
- Microneedle tips coated with a phase-change material (PCM) enable controlled, sequential insulin release upon heating.
- Mechanical activation triggers rapid self-heating (~80°C within 1 min), melting the PCM and accelerating drug release.
- In diabetic rats, the patch lowered blood glucose to normal levels within 2 hours and maintained it for over 3 hours.
- Sequential quadrant activation successfully managed four consecutive meal-mimicking glucose spikes over 24 hours in a rat model.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Achieving on‐demand glucose control to prevent postprandial spikes remains a significant challenge in diabetes management. Here, we present a programmable self‐heating microneedle (PSH‐MN) patch for on‐demand, timed‑sequence insulin delivery. The patch features a three‐dimensional (3D)‐printed backing with four quadrants, each with a calcium oxide (CaO)‐based exothermic mixture and a water capsule. MN tips made of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for insulin loading are spray‐coated with a phase‐change material (PCM), forming a thermosensitive barrier for controlled, sequential release. The patch possesses sufficient mechanical strength for skin penetration (>760 µm) and maintains good stability for long‐term storage (>3 months). Mechanical activation of a quadrant triggers a rapid self‐heating exothermic reaction (∼80°C within 1 min) that melts the coating, accelerates PVP dissolution, and enables on‐demand insulin release. In vitro studies confirm programmable, sequential drug release with spatial control and linear dose‑response. After systematic biosafety validation, the activated patch lowers blood glucose to normal levels within 2 h and sustains it for over 3 h in a diabetic rat model. Sequential quadrant activation in glucose tolerance tests successfully counteracts four consecutive meal‐mimicking spikes within 24 h. This PSH‐MN patch offers a robust, biosafe, and user‐friendly platform for programmable insulin delivery, providing a promising approach for personalized diabetes management.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Advanced Science, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Pharmaceutical Science
Pharmaceutical SciencePharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics