Extraction of small molecule from human plasma by prototyping 3D printed sorbent through extruded filament for LC-MS/MS analysis

A microchip gas chromatography column assembly with a 3D metal printing micro column oven and a flexible stainless-steel column

In this work, a microchip gas chromatography (GC) column assembly utilizing a three-dimensional (3D) printed micro oven and a flexible stainless steel capillary column was developed. The assembly's performance and separation capabilities were characterized. The key components include a 3D printed aluminum plate (7.50 × 7.50 × 0.16 cm) with a 3-meter-long circular spiral channel, serving as the oven, and the column coiled on the channel with an inner diameter of 320 μm and a stationary phase of OV-1. A heating ceramic plate was affixed on the opposite side of the plate. The assembly weighed 40.3 g. The design allows for easy disassembly, or stacking of heating devices and columns, enabling flexibility in adjusting column length. When using n-C13 as the test analyte at 140 °C, a retention factor (k) was 8.5, and 7797 plates (2599 plates/m) were obtained. The assembly, employing resistance heating, demonstrated effective separation performance for samples containing alkanes, aromatics, alcohols and ketones, with good reproducibility. The reduction in theoretical plates compared to oven heating was only 2.95 %. In the boiling point range of C6 to C18, rapid temperature programming (120 °C/min) was achieved with a power consumption of 119.512 W. The assembly was successfully employed to separate benzene series compounds, gasoline and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), demonstrating excellent separation performance. This innovative design addresses the challenges of the complexity and low repeatability of the fabrication process and the high cost associated with microchip columns. Furthermore, its versatility makes it suitable for outdoor analysis applications.

Technological Advancement and Trend in Selective Bioanalytical Sample Extraction through State of the Art 3-D Printing Techniques Aiming 'Sorbent Customization as per need'

The inherent complexity of biological matrices and presence of several interfering substances in biological samples make them unsuitable for direct analysis. An effective sample preparation technique assists in analyte enrichment, improving selectivity and sensitivity of bioanalytical method. Because of several key benefits of employing 3D printed sorbent in sample extraction, it has recently gained popularity across a variety of industries. Applications for 3D printing in the field of bioanalytical research have grown recently, particularly in the areas of miniaturization, (bio)sensing, sample preparation, and separation sciences. Due to the high expense of the solid phase microextraction cartridge, researcher approaches in-lab production of sorbent material for the extraction of analyte from biological samples. Owing to its distinct advantages such as low costs, automation capabilities, capacity to produce products in a variety of shapes, and reduction of tedious steps of sample preparation, 3D printed sorbents are gaining increased attention in the field of bioanalysis. It is also reported to offer high selectivity and assist in achieving a much lower limit of detection. In this review, we have discussed current advancements in different types of 3D printed sorbents, production methods, and their applications in the field of bioanalytical sample preparation.

Facile fabrication of an extended-release tablet of Ticagrelor using three dimensional printing technology

The objective of the study was to fabricate tailored extended-release tablets of blood thinner Ticagrelor as once-daily dosing using additive manufacturing for better compliance in heart failure therapy. The solid work design of the tablet was printed using hot melt extrusion (HME) based 3D printing by optimized mixture of Eudragit RS-100, plasticizer and drug for producing extrudable and printable filaments. FTIR and TGA results showed no covalent interaction among ingredients and no decomposition during HME process, respectively. Friability, weight variation, assay and content uniformity tests met USP requirements, while the mean hardness of the tablets was calculated in a value between 40 and 50 kg. According to DSC and XRD results, the crystallinity state of the Ticagrelor was converted to an amorphous one in the tablet matrix. Smooth surfaces with multiple deposited layers were observed using SEM. In comparison, the maximum Ticagrelor release of 100% after 120 min from Brilinta® tablets was decreased to 97% in 400 min from the 3D tablet at infill of 90%. Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model showed the drug release mechanism is affected by diffusion and swelling. In general, fabrication of the extended-release 3D printed tablet of Ticagrelor using HME-based-additive manufacturing has the potential to provide specific doses with tailored kinetic release for personalized medicine, improving adherence at point-of-care.

3D printed stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography for trace estrogens analysis in environmental water samples

BACKGROUND

Any imaginary shape with good preparation reproducibility can be made by 3D printing technology, and it has been applied in various fields. Comparatively, its applications in sample pre-treatment are relatively less, most of which involves making extraction sorbents and producing non-functionalized devices for support assistance. 3D printing has not been applied to fabricate stir bars in stir bar sorptive extraction, mainly due to the lacking of suitable printing feedstocks. This work aimed to fabricate stir bars by 3D printing, reducing the manufacturing cost and steps and improving preparation reproducibility. (90) RESULTS: By using fused deposition modeling technique and porous filament printing feedstock, stir bars were fabricated without any modifications. Adsorption performance of 3D printed stir bars were investigated for substances with different structures and polarities. Five estrogens with adsorption efficiencies of over 80 % were selected as the representatives. The 3D printed stir bars exhibited good preparation reproducibility (2.9-4.4 %) and higher extraction recoveries (73-81 %) for five estrogens than commercial polydimethylsiloxane coated stir bars (13-69 %) in a shorter time (90 vs 120 min). They showed long lifespan (160 times) with good mechanical properties and merited reduced manufacturing cost (0.064 $ per bar) and manual operation. A method of stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography was proposed for trace analysis of estrogens in environmental water. Under the optimized conditions, the linear ranges for estrogens were 0.5-200 μg/L with LODs of 0.13-0.17 μg/L. (136) SIGNIFICANCE: The feasibility of fused deposition modeling in stir bar fabrication was demonstrated, along with the potential of porous filament printing feedstock as the sorbent for substances with medium polarity. 3D printed stir bars were featured with excellent preparation reproducibility, long lifespan, and good mechanical properties. The stir bar fabrication method can be used for mass production with minimal differences in products performance. (62).

Application of three dimensional-printed devices in extraction technologies

Sample pretreatment is an important and necessary process in chemical analysis. Traditional sample preparation methods normally consume moderate to large quantities of solvents and reagents, are time- and labor-intensive and can be prone to error (since they usually involve multiple steps). In the past quarter century or so, modern sample preparation techniques have evolved, from the advent of solid-phase microextraction and liquid-phase microextraction to the present day where they are now widely applied to extract analytes from simple as well as complex matrices leveraging on their extremely low solvent consumption, high extraction efficiency, generally straightforward and simple operation and integration of most, if not all, of the following aspects: Sampling, cleanup, extraction, preconcentration and ready-to-inject status of the final extract. One of the most interesting features of the progress of microextraction techniques over the years lies in the development of devices, apparatus and tools to facilitate and improve their operations. This review explores the application of a recent material fabrication technology that has been receiving a lot of interest, that of three-dimensional (3D) printing, to the manipulation of microextraction. The review highlights the use of 3D-printed devices in the extraction of various analytes and in different methods to address, and improves upon some current extraction (and microextraction) problems, issues and concerns.

Analysis of NSAIDs in Rat Plasma Using 3D-Printed Sorbents by LC-MS/MS: An Approach to Pre-Clinical Pharmacokinetic Studies

Analytical sample preparation techniques are essential for assessing chemicals in various biological matrices. The development of extraction techniques is a modern trend in the bioanalytical sciences. We fabricated customized filaments using hot-melt extrusion techniques followed by fused filament fabrication-mediated 3D printing technology to rapidly prototype sorbents that extract non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from rat plasma for determining pharmacokinetic profiles. The filament was prototyped as a 3D-printed sorbent for extracting small molecules using AffinisolTM, polyvinyl alcohol, and triethyl citrate. The optimized extraction procedure and parameters influencing the sorbent extraction were systematically investigated by the validated LC-MS/MS method. Furthermore, a bioanalytical method was successfully implemented after oral administration to determine the pharmacokinetic profiles of indomethacin and acetaminophen in rat plasma. The Cmax was found to be 0.33 ± 0.04 µg/mL and 27.27 ± 9.9 µg/mL for indomethacin and acetaminophen, respectively, at the maximum time (Tmax) (h) of 0.5–1 h. The mean area under the curve (AUC0–t) for indomethacin was 0.93 ± 0.17 µg h/mL, and for acetaminophen was 32.33± 10.8 µg h/mL. Owing to their newly customizable size and shape, 3D-printed sorbents have opened new opportunities for extracting small molecules from biological matrices in preclinical studies.