Microneedles Research Paper

Microneedles Insulin is most effectively taken through direct injection, which is most typically done through a needle. Traditional needles are bulky and are oftentimes associated with pain. Microneedles are much smaller in dimensions, making them able to effectively release insulin into the body while not reaching nerve cells which would cause pain and discomfort. Microneedles are designed to puncture only the top 20–50 μm of the skin, because the stratum corneum, which is the outer layer of the skin is only that thick, and nerve cells begin just under the stratum corneum. From below the stratum corneum, the insulin injection is able to enter circulation rather quickly. There are several different types of microneedles used to inject insulin into the body, including …show more content…
Insulin pumps are usually only about the size of a deck of cards and have the ability to stream steady amounts of insulin into the body through a needle. Users have to press a button on the pump after meals for an insulin boost or “bolus”, and at all other times throughout the day, the pump distributes smaller amounts of insulin into the body, closely resembling how the pancreas would normally act. The insulin pump helps almost completely prevent blood sugar level swings and is pretty easy to use. Although insulin pumps are a great way to regulate blood sugar levels, they create a high risk of infection at the point where the needle is inserted, especially if the needle is not changed every few days. Also, the pump could fail or become disrupted causing diabetic ketoacidosis, or very high blood sugar. A lot of people with Type 1 diabetes try to avoid having to use an insulin pump because it is a constant reminder that they have diabetes and it is very expensive to purchase, often costing around $5000, excluding the ongoing cost of supplies (Borot