Temperature and solvent facilitated extrusion based 3D printing for pharmaceuticals.

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Additive Manufacturing
• Materials Science

Background:

• Traditional tablet manufacturing faces challenges in producing patient-specific oral doses.
• Several 3D printing (3DP) technologies have been explored as digital alternatives.
• Existing 3DP methods often require complex preparation and training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile and efficient hybrid 3D printing process for on-demand oral tablet manufacturing.
• To demonstrate a simplified approach compatible with common pharmaceutical materials.
• To evaluate the quality and drug release characteristics of the fabricated tablets.

Main Methods:

• A novel hybrid 3D printing approach combining solvent and heat for extrusion.
• Utilized a temperature-controlled system (65-100 °C) with a compact pharmaceutical ink cylinder.
• Tested compatibility with hygroscopic polymers (Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyvinylpyrrolidone) and fillers (lactose, sorbitol, D-mannitol).

Main Results:

• Fabricated tablets exhibited acceptable weight and content uniformity, along with mechanical resistance.
• In vitro theophylline release varied based on polymer type and molecular weight.
• The process demonstrated compatibility with hygroscopic polymers and common pharmaceutical fillers.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid 3D printing method offers a simplified, low-cost alternative for bespoke tablet fabrication.
• Key advantages include simplified pre-product steps, moderate temperatures, minimal drying, and less complex machinery.
• This facile approach holds promise for future on-demand manufacturing of small batches of personalized oral medications.