3D printing of bioactive materials for drug delivery applications

Abstract

Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), is a modern technique/technology, which makes it possible to construct 3D objects from computer-aided design (CAD) digital models. This technology can be used in the progress of drug delivery systems, where porosity has played important role in attaining an acceptable level of biocompatibility and biodegradability with improved therapeutic effects. 3D printing may also provide the user possibility to control the dosage of each ingredient in order to a specific purpose, and makes it probable to improve the formulation of drug delivery systems. Areas covered: This article covers the 3D printing technologies, bioactive materials including natural and synthetic polymers as well as some ceramics and minerals and their roles in drug delivery systems. Expert opinion: This technology is feasible to fabricate drug products by incorporating multiple drugs in different parts in such a mode that these drugs can release from the section at a predetermined rate. Furthermore, this 3D printing technology has the potential to transform personalized therapy to various age-groups by design flexibility and precise dosing. In recent years, the potential use of this technology can be realized in a clinical situation where patients will acquire individualized medicine as per their requirement.

Reverse Engineering and 3D Printing of Medical Devices for Drug Delivery and Drug-Embedded Anatomic Implants

“…Biodegradable polymers are generally categorized as having the ability to erode into the human body over time [24]. Biodegradable polymers can be subdivided into natural and synthetic biomaterials [23][24][25]. Biodegradable natural polymers, such as gelatin, alginate, and collagen, come from biological sources, making them useful for fabrication of biodevices due to their compatibility with native proteins of the human body [25,26].…”

“…Biodegradable polymers can be subdivided into natural and synthetic biomaterials [23][24][25]. Biodegradable natural polymers, such as gelatin, alginate, and collagen, come from biological sources, making them useful for fabrication of biodevices due to their compatibility with native proteins of the human body [25,26]. Furthermore, natural polymers can crosslink when exposed to the appropriate stimuli, making them useful for creating microgels and hydrogels [25,26].…”

“…Unfortunately, the stimuli required to induce crosslinking can be cytotoxic [23]. On the other hand, biodegradable synthetic polymers, such as poly (L-glycolic acid) (PGA), poly (L-lactic acid (PLA), poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL), are frequently utilized to fabricate drug delivery systems due to their low cost and widespread FDA approval [25,27]. Degradable polymers degrade via bulk erosion as seen in Figure 1.…”

“…Degradable polymers degrade via bulk erosion as seen in Figure 1. However, these compounds have the drawback of being less biocompatible [25]. Th second broad category of polymers includes non-biodegradable compounds such as PEG and ethylene vinyl acetate [24].…”

“…Unlike biodegradable polymers, these compounds remain structurally intact during their life cycle. 3DP can use properties that vary across differen However, these compounds have the drawback of being less biocompatible [25]. The second broad category of polymers includes non-biodegradable compounds such as PEG and ethylene vinyl acetate [24].…”