Design and development of 3D-printed bento box model for controlled drug release of propranolol HCl following pharmacopeia dissolution guidelines

Abstract

The goal of this study was to develop a 3D-printed bento box model (3D-printed BB) with one or two chambers containing propranolol hydrochloride (PNL) as powder and matrix tablet for controlled drug release at varying times using United States Pharmacopeia (USP) dissolution guidelines. The 3D-printed BBs were made with commercial polyvinyl alcohol filament and a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer, with varying infill percentages and wall thicknesses. The physicochemical properties of the 3D-printed BBs, including appearance, thickness, size, weight, hardness, swelling, and erosion properties were investigated. The surface and cross-section morphologies of the 3D-printed BBs were characterized using a FESEM. According to FESEM images, the different infill percentages had a significant effect on the internal structure of the 3D-printed BBs’ caps, but a minor effect on the internal structure of their walls. PNL release from the 3D-printed BB began in a pH 1.2 medium, followed by drug release in a pH 6.8 medium. Some formulations of 3D-printed BB could achieve a drug release percentage within all the ranges specified by USP dissolution guidelines. 3D-printed BBs, therefore, have the potential to revolutionize the future of the pharmaceutical industry by facilitating control of the amount of drugs released at predetermined intervals.