The controlled-releasing drug implant based on the three dimensional printing technology: Fabrication and properties of drug releasing in vivo

Abstract

Three dimensional (3D) printing technology was utilized to fabricate a new type of drug implant with complicated architectures, employing levofloxacin (LVFX) and rifampicine (RFP) as model drugs. The prepared drug implant prototype consists of a double-layer structure, of which the upper region is a reservoir system containing RFP and the lower region is a matrix one containing LVFX. The release test in vivo revealed that LVFX was released in the early stage; no RFP was detected until 8th day; both of them continuously released more than 6 weeks. Therefore, 3D printing technology provides a precise and feasible method to fabricate a controlled-releasing drug implant with complicated architectures and this drug implant may present a new strategy for the prophylaxis and treatment of bone diseases such as combined bone infections and bone tuberculosis in the near future.