Investigations into the potential of handheld inkjet technology for microneedle coating

Xing Hui Yap – B.Pharm student, Universiti Sains Malaysia; Yao Jun Yew – B.Pharm student, Universiti Sains Malaysia; Jing Yi Lee – PhD candidate, Universiti Sains Malaysia; Keng Wooi Ng – Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics, Newcastle University; Choon Fu Goh – Associate Professor, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Introduction: Handheld inkjet printers (HIP) enable precise and adaptable drug deposition onto skin and buccal films, supporting personalised dosing [1, 2]. Formulations printed by HIP achieved near-complete drug permeation which indicates its potential for use in microneedle (MN) coating. Conventional MN coating methods are constrained by dip-induced tip pooling and poorly controlled spray deposition, leading to uneven coatings, material loss, insertion failure and dose variability. This study aims to develop and evaluate a printable polymer ink for uniform, multilayered MN coatings via HIP.