3D printing usage on Medicine Making Tab

3D printing on medicine

1. Unlocking the Potential of
3D Printing in Medical Care
•Hypothesis: SLA can be used for customized tablet manufacturing
•Stereolithography (SLA) technique is mainly preferred for its ability to
fabricate complex 3D structures ranging from micro-needles to life size
organs with high resolution, precision, accuracy, and speed.
•Due to its excellent advantages and control, this technology with use of
combination of materials could transform “one dose fits all” concept to
patient-centric treatment a reality.

2. Additive Manufacturing Methods in
Pharmaceutical Industry
1
JET PRINTING
Jet printing : printhead comprises thousands of minute pores which deposits droplets on
substrate layer-by-layer. In pharmaceutical applications, “ink” is defined as the drug
dissolved/dispersed in a polymer/resin/solvent or binder solution.
2
FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING
Drug-incorporated thermoplastic polymer filament is passed through a 3D printing nozzle,
where the filament melts and is deposited layer-by-layer to form the desired 3D structure
3
VAT PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION
Different methods are available: SLA –selectively cures photopolymerizable liquid with UV-laser
beam, DIGITAL LIGHT PROCESSING (DLP) –digital projector projects voxels on whole cross-
sectional area, TWO PHOTON POLYMERIZATION (TPP) –two photon laser beams projected.

3. Hypothesis:Oral solid dosage
forms–tablets
Tablets are one of the most convenient dosage forms due to their patient
compliance.
•Conventional tablet manufacturing is encountering advancements inclined
towards developing patient-centric/personalized medication based on the
patient’s pharmacological profile, age, and gender.
•3D printing technology provides the opportunity to modify the drug release
by controlling the geometrics of tablets like in-fill density and surface area to
volume ratio.
•Photopolymer (printing) solution is prepared using polyethylene glycol
diacrylate (monomer) and diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)is used as the
photo-initiator.
Drug dissolution and drug releaseprofiles are modified based on the varying
concentrations of cross-linkable polymers used. Thus, giving the ability to have
personalized dosage.
Poly pills and Nano-composite pills can also be made using 3D technology.

5. Extended Applications:
As Transdermal Dosage
Microneedles are gaining recognition for
their ability to deliver macromolecules like
insulin through the skin. High resolution
and minute detailing of pores of MNs
possible with SLA i.e. dimensions of H x D
as 1150 μmand 950 μm.
As Implants
Personalized, patient-specific implants
have high-efficacy, can be made using
SLA which has short printing times,
high resolution, and smooth surface
finish, can also be made of resin mixed
with drug.
Tissue Engineering
Macro porous ceramic bone Implants can
be made as an alternate to titanium mesh,
which exhibit similar compression
strength as of bone, under application of
high loads .

6. DRAWBACKS in SLA
1
Industrial Roadblocks
Explore the challenges faced during
the industrial implementation of
SLA, including scalability,
production costs, and integration
with existing manufacturing
processes.
4
Regulatory Limitation
Unlike conventional products, in which
FDA did not focus much on the
process while approving the drug
product, the regulations for 3D printed
pharmaceuticals are expected to
include in-process controls and
materials involved.
2
Rise In temperature
Temperature may raise above the
intended levels during printing due to
the exothermic nature of the
photopolymerization reaction and may
even arise from other light sources.
3
Post-Washing
Post-washing process is unsuitable
for the drug-loaded 3D structures,
as there is a risk of washing away
the drug in unreacted monomers
affecting the therapeutic efficiency.

7. Conclusion & Future
•Introduction to the healthcare sector is still in its infancy due to
several unanswered concerns associated with this technology.
•Introducing this technology to clinical practice can bring about a
digital transformation, restructuring the design of medicines and
manufacturing systems.
•SLA can be combined with 3D scanning technology to fabricate
patient-specific prosthetics or drug-eluting devices.
•This technology could further be integrated with several smart
materials to achieve time-specific drug release and shape memory
functionalities.
•Transform health care, where a physician, pharmacist, or dentist
could fabricate personalized dosage forms or devices that cater to
a patient’s needs, at the convenience of their own clinics.
Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590156723000038