3D printed implantable drug delivery devices for women's health: Formulation challenges and regulatory perspective

3D printing chronicles in medical devices and pharmaceuticals: tracing the evolution and historical milestones

The objective of this study is to collect the significant advancements of 3D printed medical devices in the biomedical area in recent years. Especially related to a range of diseases and the polymers employed in drug administration. To address the existing limitations and constraints associated with the method used for producing 3D printed medical devices, in order to optimize their suitability for degradation. The compilation and use of research papers, reports, and patents that are relevant to the key keywords are employed to improve comprehension. According to this thorough investigation, it can be inferred that the 3D Printing method, specifically Fuse Deposition Modeling (FDM), is the most suitable and convenient approach for preparing medical devices. This study provides an analysis and summary of the development trend of 3D printed implantable medical devices, focusing on the production process, materials specially the polymers, and typical items associated with 3D printing technology. This study offers a comprehensive examination of nanocarrier research and its corresponding discoveries. The FDM method, which is already facing significant challenges in terms of achieving optimal performance and cost reduction, will experience remarkable advantages from this highly valuable technology. The objective of this analysis is to showcase the efficacy and limitations of 3D-printing applications in medical devices through thorough research, highlighting the significant technological advancements it offers. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the most recent research and discoveries on 3D-printed medical devices, offering significant insights into their study.

Material extrusion 3D-printing technology: A new strategy for constructing water-soluble, high-dose, sustained-release drug formulations

The advantage of low-temperature forming through direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing is becoming a strategy for the construction of innovative drug delivery systems (DDSs). Optimization of the complex formulation, including factors such as the printing ink, presence of solvents, and potential low mechanical strength, are challenges during process development. This study presents an application of DIW to fabricate water-soluble, high-dose, and sustained-release DDSs. Utilizing poorly compressible metformin hydrochloride as a model drug, a core-shell delivery system was developed, featuring a core composed of 96 % drug powder and 4 % binder, with a shell structure serving as a drug-release barrier. This design aligns with the sustained-release profile of traditional processes, achieving a 25.8 % reduction in volume and enhanced mechanical strength. The strategy facilitates sustained release of high-dose water-soluble formulations for over 12 h, potentially improving patient compliance by reducing formulation size. Process optimization and multi-batch flexibility were also explored in this study. Our findings provide a valuable reference for the development of innovative DDSs and 3D-printed drugs.

3D printed dosage forms, where are we headed?

INTRODUCTION

3D Printing (3DP) is an innovative fabrication technology that has gained enormous popularity through its paradigm shifts in manufacturing in several disciplines, including healthcare. In this past decade, we have witnessed the impact of 3DP in drug product development. Almost 8 years after the first USFDA approval of the 3D printed tablet Levetiracetam (Spritam), the interest in 3DP for drug products is high. However, regulatory agencies have often questioned its large-scale industrial practicability, and 3DP drug approval/guidelines are yet to be streamlined.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, major technologies involved with the fabrication of drug products are introduced along with the prospects of upcoming technologies, including AI (Artificial Intelligence). We have touched upon regulatory updates and discussed the burning limitations, which require immediate focus, illuminating status, and future perspectives on the near future of 3DP in the pharmaceutical field.

EXPERT OPINION

3DP offers significant advantages in rapid prototyping for drug products, which could be beneficial for personalizing patient-based pharmaceutical dispensing. It seems inevitable that the coming decades will be marked by exponential growth in personalization, and 3DP could be a paradigm-shifting asset for pharmaceutical professionals.

Advanced Nanomaterials in Medical 3D Printing

3D printing is now recognized as a significant tool for medical research and clinical practice, leading to the emergence of medical 3D printing technology. It is essential to improve the properties of 3D-printed products to meet the demand for medical use. The core of generating qualified 3D printing products is to develop advanced materials and processes. Taking advantage of nanomaterials with tunable and distinct physical, chemical, and biological properties, integrating nanotechnology into 3D printing creates new opportunities for advancing medical 3D printing field. Recently, some attempts are made to improve medical 3D printing through nanotechnology, providing new insights into developing advanced medical 3D printing technology. With high-resolution 3D printing technology, nano-structures can be directly fabricated for medical applications. Incorporating nanomaterials into the 3D printing material system can improve the properties of the 3D-printed medical products. At the same time, nanomaterials can be used to expand novel medical 3D printing technologies. This review introduced the strategies and progresses of improving medical 3D printing through nanotechnology and discussed challenges in clinical translation.

3D printing in vaginal drug delivery: a revolution in pharmaceutical manufacturing

INTRODUCTION

The Food and Drug Administration's approval of the first three-dimensional (3D) printed tablet, Spritam®, led to a burgeoning interest in using 3D printing to fabricate numerous drug delivery systems for different routes of administration. The high degree of manufacturing flexibility achieved through 3D printing facilitates the preparation of dosage forms with many actives with complex and tailored release profiles that can address individual patient needs.

AREAS COVERED

This comprehensive review provides an in-depth look into the several 3D printing technologies currently utilized in pharmaceutical research. Additionally, the review delves into vaginal anatomy and physiology, 3D-printed drug delivery systems for vaginal applications, the latest research studies, and the challenges of 3D printing technology and future possibilities.

EXPERT OPINION

3D printing technology can produce drug-delivery devices or implants optimized for vaginal applications, including vaginal rings, intra-vaginal inserts, or biodegradable microdevices loaded with drugs, all custom-tailored to deliver specific medications with controlled release profiles. However, though the potential of 3D printing in vaginal drug delivery is promising, there are still challenges and regulatory hurdles to overcome before these technologies can be widely adopted and approved for clinical use. Extensive research and testing are necessary to ensure safety, effectiveness, and biocompatibility.

Empowering Precision Medicine: The Impact of 3D Printing on Personalized Therapeutic

This review explores recent advancements and applications of 3D printing in healthcare, with a focus on personalized medicine, tissue engineering, and medical device production. It also assesses economic, environmental, and ethical considerations. In our review of the literature, we employed a comprehensive search strategy, utilizing well-known databases like PubMed and Google Scholar. Our chosen keywords encompassed essential topics, including 3D printing, personalized medicine, nanotechnology, and related areas. We first screened article titles and abstracts and then conducted a detailed examination of selected articles without imposing any date limitations. The articles selected for inclusion, comprising research studies, clinical investigations, and expert opinions, underwent a meticulous quality assessment. This methodology ensured the incorporation of high-quality sources, contributing to a robust exploration of the role of 3D printing in the realm of healthcare. The review highlights 3D printing's potential in healthcare, including customized drug delivery systems, patient-specific implants, prosthetics, and biofabrication of organs. These innovations have significantly improved patient outcomes. Integration of nanotechnology has enhanced drug delivery precision and biocompatibility. 3D printing also demonstrates cost-effectiveness and sustainability through optimized material usage and recycling. The healthcare sector has witnessed remarkable progress through 3D printing, promoting a patient-centric approach. From personalized implants to radiation shielding and drug delivery systems, 3D printing offers tailored solutions. Its transformative applications, coupled with economic viability and sustainability, have the potential to revolutionize healthcare. Addressing material biocompatibility, standardization, and ethical concerns is essential for responsible adoption.

Development of a Bilayer Tablet by Fused Deposition Modeling as a Sustained-Release Drug Delivery System

Three-dimensional printing by fused deposition modeling (FDM) coupled with hot-melt extrusion (HME) is a point of convergence of research efforts directed toward the development of personalized dosage forms. In addition to the customization in terms of shapes, sizes, or delivered drug doses, the modulation of drug release profiles is crucial to ensure the superior efficacy and safety of modern 3D-printed medications compared to those of conventional ones. Our work aims to solidify the groundwork for the preparation of 3D-printed tablets that ensure the sustained release of diclofenac sodium. Specifically, we achieved the fast release of a diclofenac sodium dose to allow for the prompt onset of its pharmacological effect, further sustaining by the slow release of another dose to maintain the effect over a prolonged timeframe. In this regard, proper formulation and design strategies (a honeycomb structure for the immediate-release layer and a completely filled structure for the sustained-release layer) were applied. Secondarily, the potential of polyvinyl alcohol to function as a multifaceted polymeric matrix for both the immediate and slow-release layers was explored, with the objective of promoting the real-life applicability of the technique by downsizing the number of materials required to obtain versatile pharmaceutical products. The present study is a step forward in the translation of HME-FDM-3DP into a pharmaceutical manufacturing methodology.