Photopolymer-Based Composite with Substance Release Capability Manufactured Additively with DLP Method.
Dorota Tomczak1, Sławomir Borysiak1, Wiesław Kuczko2
1Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 23, 2024
Summary
Photoresin composites loaded with caffeine were developed for transdermal microneedle systems. These materials exhibit favorable mechanical properties, wettability, and controlled caffeine release, enhancing additive manufacturing potential.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Transdermal drug delivery systems require advanced materials for efficient drug loading and release.
- Additive manufacturing offers novel fabrication methods for complex medical devices like microneedles.
- Photoresin composites present a versatile platform for developing such systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize caffeine-loaded photoresin composites for additive manufacturing of transdermal microneedle systems.
- To investigate the impact of varying caffeine concentrations on material properties and drug release kinetics.
- To assess the suitability of these composites for biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for carbon-carbon double bond conversion analysis.
- Static tensile testing and nanoindentation for mechanical property evaluation.
- UV-Vis spectroscopy for quantifying caffeine release kinetics in ethanol.
- Varying caffeine concentrations (0.1-0.4% w/w) were incorporated into photoresin formulations.
Main Results:
- Homogeneous caffeine-loaded photoresin composites were successfully obtained.
- Caffeine concentration did not significantly alter the degree of double bond conversion or mechanical strength.
- Samples with 0.1% and 0.2% caffeine showed increased nanohardness and reduced elastic modulus.
- Good wettability and increased surface energy were observed, beneficial for transdermal applications.
- Maximum caffeine release reached 81% over 7 days, with higher release at lower concentrations and over time.
Conclusions:
- Caffeine-loaded photoresin composites are suitable for additive manufacturing of transdermal microneedle systems.
- The developed materials possess favorable mechanical and surface properties for their intended application.
- Controlled caffeine release profiles were achieved, influenced by concentration and time.
- This research advances the potential of digital light processing in creating advanced drug delivery devices.
