Table 1.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Microneedle Production Techniques

Production Technique	Advantages	Disadvantages
Reactive Ion Etching	high resolution	requires cleanroom, expensive, low throughput, limited to silicon, geometry restrictions
Photolithography	high resolution	requires cleanroom, expensive, geometry restrictions
Cutting and Bending	low cost, cleanroom not required, strong materials	only have control of two dimensions, only solid microneedles
Two-photon Polymerization	cleanroom not required, good geometry control, scalable resolution,	limited to photosensitive materials
Electroplating	low cost, high throughput	geometry controlled by master structure, biocompatibility concerns, poor mechanical properties due to thin walls
Casting	low cost, high throughput, compatible with many materials	geometry controlled by master structure