International Journal of Drug Research and Technology

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Mini Review - (2023) Volume 12, Issue 4

3D Printing in Drug Delivery: Revolutionizing Medicine through Personalized Treatment

Jack Henningfield*
*Correspondence: Jack Henningfield, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA, Email:
Author information
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA

Received: 01-Jul-2023, Manuscript No. IJDRT-23-108950; Editor assigned: 03-Jul-2023, Pre QC No. P-108950; Reviewed: 15-Jul-2023, QC No. Q-108950; Revised: 22-Jul-2023, Manuscript No. R-108950; Published: 29-Jul-2023, DOI: 10.37421/2277-1506.2023.12.406

Abstract

3D printing technology has rapidly advanced over the past decade and has found novel applications in various industries. In the field of medicine, 3D printing has emerged as a transformative tool in drug delivery. This article explores the principles, methods and applications of 3D printing in drug delivery systems. By fabricating personalized drug formulations and medical devices, 3D printing is revolutionizing the way medications are administered, enhancing patient compliance and improving therapeutic outcomes. The ability to create complex drug delivery systems tailored to individual patients holds tremendous potential in advancing personalized medicine and optimizing treatment strategies for various diseases. Drug delivery is a critical aspect of modern medicine, ensuring the targeted and efficient delivery of medications to patients. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has opened new horizons in drug delivery, enabling the fabrication of customized drug formulations with precise dosages and release profiles. By combining pharmaceutical sciences with engineering capabilities, 3D printing allows for the creation of drug delivery systems that address patient-specific needs, enhancing treatment efficacy and patient comfort. FDM is one of the most common 3D printing techniques in drug delivery. It involves the deposition of thermoplastic material layer by layer to create drug-loaded matrices or drug-eluting filaments with controlled drug release rates.

Keywords

Drug delivery • 3D printing • Drug-eluting

Introduction

SLA employs photo polymerization to create 3D structures by curing liquid resins layer by layer. In drug delivery, SLA is used to fabricate intricate drugloaded scaffolds with precise control over drug release. Stereo Lithography (SLA) is a widely used additive manufacturing technique, commonly known as 3D printing that allows for the creation of three-dimensional objects through a layerby- layer photo polymerization process. It was the first 3D printing technology ever developed and remains a critical method for producing complex, highresolution objects with exceptional surface quality. Stereo lithography has found applications in various industries, including manufacturing, engineering, design and medicine. This article explores the principles, methods and applications of stereo lithography in the context of additive manufacturing. The basic principles of stereo lithography involve the use of liquid photopolymer resins that can be cured or solidified using light. The process starts with a digital 3D model of the object to be printed, which is sliced into thin horizontal layers using specialized software.

Literature Review

The stereo lithography machine then uses a light source, such as a laser or a digital projector, to selectively expose the liquid resin to light, causing it to solidify and adhere to the previous layer. The platform holding the printed object is lowered after each layer is completed, allowing for the addition of subsequent layers until the entire object is formed. A wide range of photopolymer resins is available, each with unique properties such as rigidity, flexibility, clarity and biocompatibility. The choice of resin depends on the desired characteristics of the printed object. The resolution of stereo lithography depends on the thickness of each layer and the accuracy of the light source. The thinner the layers and the more precise the light, the higher the resolution of the printed object. Since stereo lithography prints objects layer by layer, overhanging features may require support structures to prevent them from collapsing during printing. These supports can be automatically generated by the 3D printing software and removed post-printing. Stereo lithography is widely used in the manufacturing and engineering industries for rapid prototyping of product designs. It allows designers to quickly evaluate and test physical models before committing to mass production [1].

Discussion

N dentistry, Stereo lithography is employed to produce dental crowns, bridges and other dental prosthetics. In medicine, it is used to create patientspecific surgical guides and anatomical models for surgical planning and medical education. While Stereo lithography offers numerous advantages, including high precision and surface quality, it also presents some challenges. The cost of Stereo lithography equipment and materials can be relatively high compared to other 3D printing technologies. Moreover, handling photopolymer resins requires appropriate safety measures due to their potential toxicity. Looking ahead, ongoing research aims to improve the range of materials compatible with Stereo lithography, enhance printing speed and develop new applications in fields like tissue engineering and bio printing. Stereo lithography has transformed the world of additive manufacturing, enabling the rapid and accurate production of intricate 3D objects with diverse applications across industries. Its ability to create highresolution models and customized objects has made it an indispensable tool for prototyping, design, medicine and various other fields. As technology advances and material options expand, Stereo lithography is expected to continue playing a vital role in the development of innovative solutions and creative expressions [2,3].

PBF is a 3D printing technique that involves the selective fusion of powdered materials using laser or electron beams. In drug delivery, PBF is used to create drug-loaded microparticles or implants. 3D printing enables the fabrication of personalized drug formulations tailored to an individual's specific needs. This approach is particularly valuable in cases where patients require unique dosages or have difficulty swallowing traditional dosage forms. 3D printing allows for the production of patient-specific implantable devices, such as drug-eluting stents or prosthetics, providing localized drug delivery to the target site. For patients on multiple medications, 3D printing offers the possibility of combining multiple drugs into a single dosage form, simplifying medication regimens and improving adherence. Children often require lower dosages than adults and conventional dosage forms may not be suitable for them. 3D printing offers a way to create age-appropriate and child-friendly drug formulations despite the promising applications of 3D printing in drug delivery, several challenges remain to be addressed. These include regulatory hurdles, standardization of manufacturing processes and the need for biocompatible and biodegradable materials suitable for drug delivery [4-6].

Conclusion

3D printing has brought a paradigm shift in drug delivery, enabling the fabrication of patient-specific drug formulations and medical devices. By harnessing the versatility of 3D printing technologies, personalized medicine is becoming a reality, offering tailored drug delivery solutions that optimize treatment outcomes and patient experiences. As researchers continue to refine 3D printing techniques and overcome existing challenges, the potential for 3D printing in drug delivery is poised to revolutionize medicine, paving the way for more efficient, targeted and patient-centric therapies.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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