Simplification of Fused Deposition Modeling 3D-Printing Paradigm: Feasibility of 1-step Direct Powder Printing for Immediate Release Dosage Form Production

Publication date: Available online 5 February 2020Source: International Journal of PharmaceuticsAuthor(s): Marina Fanous, Sarah Gold, Silvain Muller, Stefan Hirsch, Joerg Ogorka, Georgios ImanidisAbstractDirect powder three-dimensional (3D)-printing (DPP) of tablets to simplify fused deposition modelling (FDM) was explored. The FDM paradigm involving hot-melt extrusion for making 3D-printable drug-loaded filaments as intermediate products for tablet manufacturing has been gaining attention for the decentralized on-site production of personalized dosage forms. For direct 3D-printing, powder blends were loaded into a cartridge-like head and were successfully printed with honeycomb design following heating of the extrusion cartridge. This 1-step DPP with incorporation of in-built porosity providing higher surface area served as proof of concept for manufacture of rapid release dosage forms. Water soluble hydroxypropylcellulose SSL was chosen as matrix former and caffeine as model drug. The effect of PEG4000 as plasticizer/pore former and Kollidon VA64 as rapidly dissolving polymer on DPP processability and dissolution rate was investigated. Directly 3D-printed tablets with low (30%) infill density showed rapid dissolution independently of the formulation, whereas for high (80%) infill density a combination of PEG4000 and Kollidon VA64 was required to achieve rapid release. The obtained tablets demonstrated good uniformity of percent drug content but had variable weight. Caffeine...
Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research