Structural Study on Stretchable Interdigitated Electrodes for Transdermal Drug Delivery via Skin Electroporation

Abstract

Aiming at the problems of traditional skin electroporation electrodes that the electric field easily diffuses to deep tissues and rigid electrodes have poor adaptability, this study introduced the interdigitated structure into electrode design. A short-range current path was constructed via the interlaced finger array to realize precise electric field regulation, which generates an effective electroporation electric field only in the stratum corneum and greatly reduces the risk of stimulation to deep tissues. To address the defect of a sharp rise in resistance of linear interdigitated electrodes under stretching, the electrode was optimized into a serpentine stretchable structure. The geometric redundancy of this structure was utilized to release stress, which significantly improved the electrical stability and mechanical reliability of the electrode under dynamic skin deformation. In addition, a wearable electroporation electrode adapted to facial skin was designed, which provides a safe and efficient flexible device solution for transdermal penetration enhancement in aesthetic medicine and clinical drug delivery.