3D printing of bioactive materials for drug delivery applications

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), is a modern technique/technology, which makes it possible to construct 3D objects from computer-aided design (CAD) digital models. This technology can be used in the progress of drug delivery systems, where porosity has played important role in attaining an acceptable level of biocompatibility and biodegradability with improved therapeutic effects. 3D printing may also provide the user possibility to control the dosage of each ingredient in order to a specific purpose, and makes it probable to improve the formulation of drug delivery systems.

Areas covered

This article covers the 3D printing technologies, bioactive materials including natural and synthetic polymers as well as some ceramics and minerals and their roles in drug delivery systems.

Expert opinion

This technology is feasible to fabricate drug products by incorporating multiple drugs in different parts in such a mode that these drugs can release from the section at a predetermined rate. Furthermore, this 3D printing technology has the potential to transform personalized therapy to various age-groups by design flexibility and precise dosing. In recent years, the potential use of this technology can be realized in a clinical situation where patients will acquire individualized medicine as per their requirement.

KEYWORDS:

• 3D printing
• additive manufacturing
• drug delivery
• porous materials
• controlled release
• biomaterials

Article highlights

• 3D printing permits constructing dosage forms as per require.

• The selection of materials in the 3D printing is important. This selection mostly depends on the kind of procedure and printer used.

• 3D printing of bioactive materials has been experienced to find efficient ways to develop drug delivery systems with multifunctional and stimuli-responsive properties

• This technology is converting the medicine application through the construction of rapid prototypes.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article

Abbreviation

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Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2022.2112944

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.