Three-Dimensional Printed PCL-Based Implantable Prototypes of Medical Devices for Controlled Drug Delivery

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to fabricate drug-containing T-shaped prototypes of intrauterine system (IUS) with the drug incorporated within the entire backbone of the medical device using 3-dimensional (3D) printing technique, based on fused deposition modeling (FDM™). Indomethacin was used as a model drug to prepare drug-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone)-based filaments with 3 different drug contents, namely 5%, 15%, and 30%, by hot-melt extrusion. The filaments were further used to 3D print IUS. The results showed that the morphology and drug solid-state properties of the filaments and 3D prototypes were dependent on the amount of drug loading. The drug release profiles from the printed devices were faster than from the corresponding filaments due to a lower degree of the drug crystallinity in IUS in addition to the differences in the external/internal structure and geometry between the products. Diffusion of the drug from the polymer was the predominant mechanism of drug release, whereas poly(ε-caprolactone) biodegradation had a minor effect. This study shows that 3D printing is an applicable method in the production of drug-containing IUS and can open new ways in the fabrication of controlled release implantable devices.

An investigation into the use of polymer blends to improve the printability of and regulate drug release from pharmaceutical solid dispersions prepared via fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing

“…One of the significant constraints for the development of pharmaceutical FDM 3D printing is the extremely limited number of FDM printable materials currently available. In most reported cases, the printing of proposed oral solids were performed using mostly PVA, PLA and PCL [7][8][9]. Only recently, the uses of pharmaceutical grade polymers for FDM printing of capsules and coating layers were reported [10].…”

“…Formulations fabricated using FDM 3D printing are mostly solid dispersion based formulations [7][8][9]13]. Solid dispersions are widely used formulations for improving the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs [14,15].…”

3D bioprinting technology for regenerative medicine applications

“…(4) Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) PCL is a synthetic polyester which is semicrystalline, biocompatible and biodegradable. It is an easily processable bioink due to its excellent properties such as low melting point, thermoplastic behavior, hydrolytic degradation and excellent mechanical properties [97] . Initially, PCL being a viscous solution had difficulties in printing because of the requirement of large diameter nozzle and high pressure.…”

“…To overcome this problem, an electrohydrodynamic jet technique was used to print PCL bioinks. Applying electrohydrodynamic forces created a temperature gradient in the ink and high resolution (10 μm) 3D constructs were formed [97] . However, PCL cannot be used as cell-laden bioink due to its high melting point (60°C).…”

“…However, PCL cannot be used as cell-laden bioink due to its high melting point (60°C). Instead PCL can be used to provide supporting structure in 3D constructs and also to reinforce stability to the fabricated scaffolds [9,97] . Though synthetic polymers offer many advantages in bioprinting, further developments are required to improve the biocompatibility and degradation behavior of this class of polymers.…”