Wearable Hollow‐Groove Microneedle Array for Wirelessly Controlled, on‐Demand Tunable Transdermal Drug Delivery

Abstract Nonadherence to prescribed medication regimens continues to pose a significant challenge in healthcare, highlighting the need for precise, user‐friendly, and personalized drug‐delivery systems. Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) using microneedle arrays (MNs) is a minimally invasive and patient‐compliant alternative to conventional methods. However, traditional designs are hindered by their limited drug loading capacity, passive release mechanisms, and complex fabrication processes. In this study, we present a wearable TDD platform that integrates hollow‐groove microneedles (HGMNs) with a wirelessly controlled, electronically programmable micropump for precise, on‐demand liquid‐phase drug administration. HGMNs, produced via digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, feature engineered grooves to enhance drug transport and prevent tissue blockage. The system includes a refillable spiral microfluidic reservoir and a compact micropump capable of delivering customized dosing regimens, such as single‐bolus, pulsatile, and sustained‐release profiles. Utilizing ketamine hydrochloride as a model drug for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the platform demonstrated robust skin penetration, high delivery precision, and effective diffusion through the ex vivo porcine skin. Mechanical testing confirmed the structural integrity and force threshold required for skin insertion. This versatile platform facilitates programmable, noninvasive, and accurate drug administration, offering the potential to enhance treatment outcomes, improve patient adherence, and support personalized medicine.