Hydrolyzed Starch 3D Printing Materials for Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
The pharmaceutical industry faces limitations in 3D printing technologies due to a lack of environmentally friendly, edible, and printer-friendly materials for producing solid dosage forms with desired mechanical, biological, and pharmacokinetic properties, particularly for achieving controlled release profiles and enhanced water-solubility of active ingredients.
Innovation Solution
The use of hydrolyzed and functionalized starch compounds, which are derived from renewable resources, exhibiting improved mechanical properties and solubility, allowing for the creation of printable materials suitable for various 3D printing technologies such as FDM and PAM, enabling the production of dosage forms with instant or modified release profiles and enhanced water-solubility of active ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional synthetic polymers (PVP, PVA, PLA) are used for 3D printing pharmaceutical dosage forms, then printer-friendly properties and mechanical strength are achieved, but environmental friendliness and edibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies starch parameters through hydrolysis (controlling DE value) and functionalization (adding specific chemical groups) to transform it from an unsuitable natural polymer into a printer-friendly material that maintains mechanical strength while being environmentally friendly and edible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite printable materials by combining hydrolyzed and functionalized starch with other pharmaceutical excipients, achieving both environmental friendliness and the mechanical properties necessary for 3D printing dosage forms
2Object-affected harmful factors
If natural biopolymers are used for 3D printing, then environmental friendliness and edibility are improved, but printer-friendly properties and mechanical strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the degree of hydrolysis (DE value between 3-20) and introducing specific functional groups to starch, transforming it from a weak natural polymer into a material with sufficient mechanical strength for 3D printing while retaining environmental benefits
3Ease of manufacture
If standard compression methods are used for manufacturing dosage forms, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but water-solubility of active ingredients is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydrolyzed and functionalized starch as an intermediary material in 3D printing that actively enhances the water-solubility of active ingredients through its specific molecular structure and hydrophilic properties, achieving up to tenfold solubility enhancement
4Strength
If conventional 3D printing materials are used, then basic structural integrity is achieved, but controlled release profiles and pharmacokinetic performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the starch structure (hydrolysis degree, functional groups) to control the erosion and dissolution rates of the printed dosage forms, enabling tailored controlled release profiles while maintaining structural integrity during printing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating radial gradients of erosion or diffusion-controlling excipients within the printed dosage form, allowing different regions to have different release rates for optimized pharmacokinetic performance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hydrolyzed and functionalized starch compounds demonstrate improved printability and pharmacokinetic performance, achieving up to tenfold enhancement in water-solubility of active ingredients compared to standard compression methods, and allowing for the production of dosage forms with tailored release profiles, thereby addressing the limitations of existing materials in 3D printing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The use of hydrolyzed and functionalized starch compounds, which are derived from renewable resources, exhibiting improved mechanical properties and solubility
Data Source
AI summary
The instant invention relates to a printable material for 3D printing comprising a hydrolyzed and functionalized starch compound. It also relates to a process for 3D printing using the same. It also relates to products, in particular solid dosage forms, obtained thereof by 3D printing.