Semisolid 3D Printing Ink for Chewable Hydrogel Pharmaceuticals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing technologies for pharmaceuticals primarily produce solid forms that are difficult for patients with swallowing issues to administer, and existing methods using photopolymerization or fused filament extrusion risk altering the active ingredients or requiring toxic resins, limiting versatility and safety.
Innovation Solution
A semisolid 3D printing ink composed of hydrocolloids like gelatin, iota-carrageenan, and xanthan gum, along with auxiliary excipients, is used to create chewable hydrogel pharmaceutical forms that can be customized for personalized dosing and multi-API delivery, avoiding the limitations of solid forms and toxic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If solid pharmaceutical forms are used for 3D printing, then manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but ease of administration and patient compliance deteriorate due to swallowing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the printed pharmaceutical form from solid to semisolid hydrogel. This transformation maintains the printing precision and structural integrity achieved through 3D printing while fundamentally improving ease of administration, as semisolid forms can be more easily swallowed, dissolved, or administered to patients with dysphagia.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of hydrocolloids (such as gelatin, carrageenan, or xanthan gum) combined with active pharmaceutical ingredients to create a semisolid hydrogel matrix. This composite material maintains the dimensional accuracy required for personalized dosing while providing a soft, chewable, or dissolvable form that improves patient compliance.
2Ease of manufacture
If photopolymerization or fused filament extrusion methods are used, then manufacturing capability is improved, but safety and API integrity deteriorate due to toxic resins or temperature-induced degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful components (toxic photopolymer resins and high-temperature processing requirements) from the manufacturing process. By using semisolid extrusion with hydrocolloid-based inks that can be processed at lower temperatures without toxic materials, the method maintains manufacturing capability while removing the harmful factors that cause API degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biocompatible, biodegradable hydrocolloid materials that are safe for patient contact and do not require toxic cross-linking agents or high-temperature processing. These materials can be extruded in a semisolid state and set through gentle cooling or cross-linking under physiological conditions, eliminating the need for hazardous chemicals and high-energy processing.
3Productivity
If standardized pharmaceutical forms are used, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but adaptability and personalized dosing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic customization capability into the manufacturing process by using 3D printing technology with semisolid extrusion. This allows the pharmaceutical forms to be dynamically adjusted in terms of shape, size, drug concentration, and multi-API composition based on individual patient requirements, while maintaining efficient automated manufacturing through digital design and 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
The solution enables personalized, safe, and effective dosing of active pharmaceutical ingredients, improving treatment compliance and palatability, particularly for pediatric and geriatric patients, while maintaining the integrity and activity of the APIs.
Implementation Method 1
A semisolid 3D printing ink composed of hydrocolloids like gelatin, iota-carrageenan, and xanthan gum, along with auxiliary excipients, is used to create chewable hydrogel pharmaceutical forms
Data Source
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AI summary
Composition for the 3D printing of semisolid drugs. The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition in the form of 3D printing ink, including an active pharmaceutical ingredient, at least three colloids and purified water. The invention also describes the method of obtaining same, and the use thereof in 3D printing devices for the personalized dosing of drugs.