This paper presented a structural investigation and simulation of Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microneedle arrays applying ANSYS Finite Element Analysis tools. Structural analysis performed on microneedles to scrutinize the strength of microneedle array. This research work launches the design of a novel type of microneedle array with PLGA for Biomedical applications. A solid triangular pyramidal-shaped microneedle array (9 x 9) with sharp needle tips, made up of PLGA material, has been considered in this paper. Secure insertion of microneedle arrays through human skin without breakage plays a prominent role in the design. Consequently, microneedle arrays modelled with three different materials (Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) lactide: glycolide 50:50 (PLGA 50:50), Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) lactide: glycolide 75:25 (PLGA 75:25) and Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) lactide: glycolide 85:15(PLGA 85:15)) for analysis. Additionally, Buckling is a typical mode of failure in microneedle array. Therefore the Eigen value buckling analysis accomplished on a 9 x 9 (PLGA 50:50) microneedle array. However, microneedle arrays modelled with PLGA 75:25 and PLGA 85:15 failed during static analysis. Initially, numerical simulations are conveyed by finite element software (ANSYS/AUTODYN), to simulate only a single microneedle while inserted into the human skin. After that simulation of a microneedle array performed to deduce the total deformation and von-mises stresses, being inserted into skin layers. Then, the results exhibited that microneedle made up of PLGA 50:50 are supercilious to those made of PLGA 75:25/PLGA 85:15 in terms of strength.
Volume 11 | Issue 8
Pages: 168-176