Short answer

Designers and engineers in pharmaceutical manufacturing should explore binder jetting 3D printing for novel dosage forms, focusing on the interplay between material properties and process parameters to achieve specific drug release and disintegration profiles.

Field
Commercial Production
Source
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics (2023)
Method
Experimental investigation and process parameter optimization.
Evidence
Moderate effect

Binder jetting 3D printing offers a viable method for producing orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) using co-processed excipients, though process optimization is crucial for achieving desired physical and mechanical properties. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. Using Experimental investigation and process parameter optimization., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and engineers in pharmaceutical manufacturing should explore binder jetting 3D printing for novel dosage forms, focusing on the interplay between material properties and process parameters to achieve specific drug release and disintegration profiles.

Study
Commercial ProductionRecentModerate effect

Binder Jetting 3D Printing Enables Novel Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms with Co-Processed Excipients

Binder jetting 3D printing offers a viable method for producing orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) using co-processed excipients, though process optimization is crucial for achieving desired physical and mechanical properties.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01Binder jetting 3D printing is a promising technology for preparing ODTs using co-processed excipients.
  • 02Process parameters (layer thickness, waveform, spread speed) significantly influence the physical and mechanical properties of the printed ODTs.
  • 03Additional excipients may be required to enhance the physical properties of ODTs produced via this method.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers and engineers in pharmaceutical manufacturing should explore binder jetting 3D printing for novel dosage forms, focusing on the interplay between material properties and process parameters to achieve specific drug release and disintegration profiles.

How to apply

When developing new solid dosage forms, consider binder jetting 3D printing as a manufacturing method. Systematically investigate the impact of printing parameters like layer height, print speed, and powder spreading techniques on the final product's disintegration and mechanical integrity.

Project actions

  • 01When selecting materials for your design project, consider how their properties will interact with the chosen manufacturing process.
  • 02Document all process parameters meticulously, as small changes can have significant effects on the final product.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo evaluate the suitability of commercially available co-processed excipients for preparing orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) using binder jetting 3D printing technology and to investigate the influence of process parameters on the printed prototypes.
MethodExperimental investigation and process parameter optimization.
ProcedureCo-processed excipients, typically used in direct compression, were tested for ODT preparation via binder jetting 3D printing. The study evaluated the impact of layer thickness, waveform type, and spread speed on the physical and mechanical properties of the printed tablet prototypes. Further optimization was conducted to improve the resulting ODTs' properties.
ContextPharmaceutical manufacturing, specifically the development of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs).

Variables

IV["Co-processed excipient type","Layer thickness","Type of waveform","Spread speed"]
DV["Physical properties of printed prototypes","Mechanical properties of printed prototypes","Disintegration time of ODTs"]
CV["Binder material","Powder particle size distribution","Ambient temperature and humidity"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Explores a novel application of 3D printing technology in pharmaceuticals.
  • +Systematically investigates the influence of key process parameters.

Limitations

The availability and cost of specific 3D printing equipment and materials can be a practical limitation for student projects. The complexity of optimizing multiple process parameters simultaneously can also be challenging.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings would depend on the reproducibility of the binder jetting process and the consistency of the material properties. Validity is supported by the systematic investigation of process parameters and their impact on physical and mechanical properties.

Think critically

To what extent can binder jetting 3D printing be considered a scalable solution for mass pharmaceutical production, given the need for extensive process optimization for each new formulation?

05

Design Principles

"Material-process co-optimization is essential for additive manufacturing of functional products."

This research opens avenues for customized pharmaceutical manufacturing, allowing for tailored drug delivery systems with unique disintegration profiles. It highlights the potential of additive manufacturing to move beyond traditional methods, enabling greater control over dosage form characteristics.

06

What This Means for Your Design

This study shows that you can use a 3D printer (the binder jetting type) to make tablets that dissolve quickly in your mouth, using special powder mixtures. You need to carefully set the printer's controls to get the best results, and sometimes you might need to add other ingredients.

How to use in your project

  • 1.This research can be used to justify the selection of additive manufacturing techniques for creating novel product forms, especially when specific functional requirements like rapid disintegration are needed.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The investigation into binder jetting 3D printing for orally disintegrating tablets demonstrates the potential of additive manufacturing in specialized product development. By carefully controlling process parameters such as layer thickness and spread speed, it is possible to create dosage forms with specific disintegration characteristics, though material selection and potential additive requirements must be thoroughly considered.

09

Source

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics

Co-processed materials testing as excipients to produce Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT) using binder jet 3D-printing technology

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about binder jetting 3d printing enables novel pharmaceutical dosage forms with co-processed excipients?
Designers and engineers in pharmaceutical manufacturing should explore binder jetting 3D printing for novel dosage forms, focusing on the interplay between material properties and process parameters to achieve specific drug release and disintegration profiles. Evidence: European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics (2023).
Why does "Binder Jetting 3D Printing Enables Novel Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms with Co-Processed Excipients" matter for design?
This research opens avenues for customized pharmaceutical manufacturing, allowing for tailored drug delivery systems with unique disintegration profiles. It highlights the potential of additive manufacturing to move beyond traditional methods, enabling greater control over dosage form characteristics.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers and engineers in pharmaceutical manufacturing should explore binder jetting 3D printing for novel dosage forms, focusing on the interplay between material properties and process parameters to achieve specific drug release and disintegration profiles.
What were the main findings?
Binder jetting 3D printing is a promising technology for preparing ODTs using co-processed excipients.. Process parameters (layer thickness, waveform, spread speed) significantly influence the physical and mechanical properties of the printed ODTs.. Additional excipients may be required to enhance the physical properties of ODTs produced via this method.
What research method was used?
Experimental investigation and process parameter optimization..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When developing new solid dosage forms, consider binder jetting 3D printing as a manufacturing method. Systematically investigate the impact of printing parameters like layer height, print speed, and powder spreading techniques on the final product's disintegration and mechanical integrity.
What are the limitations?
The study focused on specific commercially available co-processed excipients and may not be generalizable to all such materials. Further research is needed to fully characterize the long-term stability and bioavailability of 3D printed ODTs.