3D Printed Filament Dosage Forms with Segmented Active Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing dosage forms containing pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or dietary supplemental active agents by 3D printing, such as FFF or FLM, lack the capability to effectively combine different active agents, concentrations, and release characteristics in a single unit.
Innovation Solution
The development of semi-solid or solid dosage forms comprising solidified filament structures with distinct groups, each containing different active agents, concentrations, or release characteristics, achieved through 3D printing processes like FFF or FLM, where filament structures can be differentiated by physical or chemical methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional 3D printing methods (FFF/FLM) are used to produce dosage forms, then the production process is simplified, but the capability to combine different active agents, concentrations, and release characteristics in a single unit is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dosage form is divided into multiple filament structures, each containing different active agents, concentrations, or release characteristics. These segmented filaments are then integrated into a single dosage form through 3D printing, allowing diverse pharmaceutical properties to coexist in one unit while maintaining manageable production complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite filament structures where different materials or compositions are combined within single filaments or across multiple filaments. Each filament can contain different active agents, concentrations, or functional properties, creating a composite dosage form that achieves high versatility without requiring overly complex printing systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple filament structures with different compositions are integrated into a single dosage form, then the versatility and efficacy are enhanced, but the manufacturing precision and distinguishability of individual filaments become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions or filaments within the dosage form are assigned different local qualities - different active agents, concentrations, or release characteristics. This allows precise control over the pharmaceutical properties of each filament while maintaining overall integration, addressing both versatility and manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs color coding or visual differentiation of filament structures to enable distinguishability of different compositions. This allows manufacturing precision to be maintained through visual verification while achieving high versatility in active agent combinations, as each filament type can be visually identified during production and quality control
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
Enables the creation of dosage forms with complex active agent combinations and controlled release profiles, enhancing the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and dietary supplemental agents by allowing for synergistic interactions and tailored release kinetics.
Implementation Method 1
the deposited filaments are transformed into an at least semi-solid, preferably solid, state, which can occur in a manner known to the skilled person such as by cooling
Implementation Method 2
chemically e.g., by polymerization of the starting substances, particularly polymerizable monomers, or also polymers, contained in the starting composition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to solid or semi-solid dosage forms made of solidified filament structures having different compositions. At least some of the filament structures contain at least one pharmaceutical active agent, nutraceutical active agent and/or dietary supplemental active agent. Other filament structures of the dosage forms can contain the same active agent e.g., in different concentrations, a different active agent, or no active agent. The invention also relates to a method for 3D printing of the dosage forms.