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Development of 3D-Printed Bicompartmental Devices by Dual-Nozzle Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) for Colon-Specific
Fatemeh Shojaie1, Carmen Ferrero1, Isidoro Caraballo1
1Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/Prof. García González No. 2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain.
Pharmaceutics
|September 28, 2023
Summary
This study developed a novel 3D-printed bicompartmental device using dual-nozzle fused deposition modeling for colon-specific drug delivery. The device successfully achieved pH-responsive biphasic release of 5-aminosalicylic acid.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Dual-nozzle fused deposition modeling (FDM) enables the creation of complex geometries by printing two materials simultaneously.
- This capability allows for the development of hybrid dosage forms with tailored drug release kinetics.
- Colon-specific drug delivery aims to target therapeutic agents to the lower gastrointestinal tract for enhanced efficacy and reduced systemic side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel bicompartmental device using dual-nozzle FDM for colon-specific delivery of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA).
- To investigate the use of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as matrix polymers for pH-dependent and water-soluble compartments, respectively.
- To evaluate the in vitro drug release profile of the developed device.
Main Methods:
- Extrusion of drug-free HPMCAS and 5-ASA loaded PVA filaments suitable for FDM.
- Characterization of filaments using thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, microscopy, and texture analysis.
- 3D printing of bicompartmental devices with outer cylindrical and inner spiral compartments, followed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray tomography analysis.
Main Results:
- 5-ASA remained crystalline within the PVA matrix.
- Successfully fabricated bicompartmental devices with distinct compartments and controlled porosity.
- In vitro release studies demonstrated a biphasic, pH-responsive release pattern: sustained release at pH 1.2 and 6.8, followed by faster release at pH 7.4.
Conclusions:
- Dual-nozzle FDM is a feasible technique for fabricating innovative 3D-printed bicompartmental devices.
- The developed device shows potential for targeted colon delivery of 5-ASA with controlled release characteristics.
- The combination of pH-dependent and water-soluble polymers allows for tunable drug release profiles.
