Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of using different 3D printed internal geometries as tablet formulations to obtain controlled release profiles. In order to obtain controllable release profiles, three types of tablet models (Cylinder, Horn and Reversed Horn) with controlled structures were designed. The cylinder model shows a constant release profile and can keep the drug concentration within a certain range. The horn model exhibits an increasing release profile, which is suitable for the patients who have the drug resistance in the course of medication. The reversed horn model has a decreasing release profile that would be applied to hypertension cure. Furthermore, three types of tablets were fabricated successfully by a fused deposition modeling three-dimensional (3D) printer and injected with paracetamol (APAP) -containing gels. The results of in vitro drug release demonstrate that tablets with three kinds of structures can produce constant, gradually increasing, and gradually decreasing release profiles, respectively. The release attributes can be controlled by using different 3D printed geometries as tablet formulations. More importantly, there are no residues after dissolution. The method of preparing customized tablets with distinguished release profiles presented in this study has the promising potential in the fabrication of patient-tailored medicines.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of using different 3D printed internal geometries as tablet formulations to obtain controlled release profiles
The hot melt extrusion (HME) process is indispensable in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D printing, which allows the thermally softened filaments to be extruded by a nozzle and to be deposited layer-by-layer[52]
The major shortcoming of FDM 3D printing in pharmaceutical applications is the elevated extrusion and printing temperatures required in the printing process, which limits its application in 3D printing drugs[41,49,66,67]
Summary
The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of using different 3D printed internal geometries as tablet formulations to obtain controlled release profiles. It is able to manufacture complex shapes and geometries to obtain different release profiles in personalized medicine[9,44]. Goyanes et al produced tablets with different geometrical shapes by FDM 3D printing and demonstrated that tablet shape could affect drug release profile[44]. Sun et al incorporated insoluble containers and light curing materials into a tablet and obtained the release profile of the drug via controlling the area of the effective component to release in accordance with the scheduled time[36]. The main reason for limiting FDM 3D printing in pharmaceutical applications is that the 3D printing need to mix the drug to the polymeric filament and heat drug loading filament to a high temperature to extrude through a nozzel and deposit layer by layer
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