Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

An Open Source Technology Platform to Manufacture Hydrogel-Based 3D Culture Models in an Automated and Standardized Fashion
Published on: March 31, 2022
Delivery Considerations of Highly Viscous Polymeric Fluids Mimicking Concentrated Biopharmaceuticals: Assessment of
Qiangnan Zhang1, Mona A Fassihi2, Reza Fassihi3
1School of Pharmacy, Temple University, 3307 North Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19140, USA.
Abstract:
An account is given of the recent development of the highly viscous complex biopharmaceuticals in relation to syringeability and injectability. The specific objective of this study is to establish a convenient method to examine problem of the injectability for the needle-syringe-formulation system when complex formulations with diverse viscosities are used. This work presents the inter-relationship between needle size, syringe volume, viscosity, and injectability of polymeric solutions having typical viscosities encountered in concentrated biologics, by applying a constant probe crosshead speed on the plunger-syringe needle assembly and continuously recording the force-distance profiles. A computerized texture analyzer was used to accurately capture, display, and store force, displacement, and time data. The force-distance curve and area under the curve are determined, and total work done for complete extrusion of the syringe content was calculated automatically by applying an established Matlab program. Various concentrations (i.e., 0.5-4% w/v of polymeric fluids/dispersions) of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) with viscosity ranges of 5-100 cP mimicking concentrated monoclonal antibody solutions and complex biopharmaceutical formulations are investigated. Results indicate that calculated values of total work done to completely extrude the syringe content are the most appropriate parameter that describes viscosity-injection force of dispersed formulations. Additionally, the rheological properties of HPMC and PEO fluids in the context of syringeability and injectability are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Routes of Drug Administration: Parenteral
The intravenous route (IV) of drug administration can be further categorized into two types. The bolus injection administers the entire dose rapidly, while an intravenous infusion slowly delivers smaller doses steadily.
The IV route is often...
Drug Distribution: Volume of Distribution
In Vitro Drug Dissolution: Compendial Testing Models II
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers
Parenteral Drug Delivery Systems: Injectables, Implants, and Infusion Devices

