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Analysis of 3D Prints by X-ray Computed Microtomography and Terahertz Pulsed Imaging.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Zeitler, J Axel 
Rasch, Cecilie 
Michaelsen, Maria Høtoft 
Müllertz, Anette 

Abstract

PURPOSE: A 3D printer was used to realise compartmental dosage forms containing multiple active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) formulations. This work demonstrates the microstructural characterisation of 3D printed solid dosage forms using X-ray computed microtomography (XμCT) and terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI). METHODS: Printing was performed with either polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polylactic acid (PLA). The structures were examined by XμCT and TPI. Liquid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) formulations containing saquinavir and halofantrine were incorporated into the 3D printed compartmentalised structures and in vitro drug release determined. RESULTS: A clear difference in terms of pore structure between PVA and PLA prints was observed by extracting the porosity (5.5% for PVA and 0.2% for PLA prints), pore length and pore volume from the XμCT data. The print resolution and accuracy was characterised by XμCT and TPI on the basis of the computer-aided design (CAD) models of the dosage form (compartmentalised PVA structures were 7.5 ± 0.75% larger than designed; n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: The 3D printer can reproduce specific structures very accurately, whereas the 3D prints can deviate from the designed model. The microstructural information extracted by XμCT and TPI will assist to gain a better understanding about the performance of 3D printed dosage forms.

Description

Keywords

3D printing, X-ray computed microtomography (XμCT), microstructure, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI), Chemistry, Pharmaceutical, Computer-Aided Design, Dosage Forms, Drug Delivery Systems, Drug Liberation, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Phenanthrenes, Polyesters, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Porosity, Printing, Printing, Three-Dimensional, Technology, Pharmaceutical, Terahertz Imaging, X-Ray Microtomography, X-Rays

Journal Title

Pharm Res

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0724-8741
1573-904X

Volume Title

34

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L019922/1)
The Danish Council for Independent Research (DFF), Technology and Production Sciences (FTP), Project 12- 126515/0602-02670B (2013-2017), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L019922/1)