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Review
. 2018 Jul 11;35(9):176.
doi: 10.1007/s11095-018-2454-x.

3D Printing in Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications - Recent Achievements and Challenges

Witold Jamróz  1 , Joanna Szafraniec  1 , Mateusz Kurek  1 , Renata Jachowicz  2
Affiliations
Review

3D Printing in Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications - Recent Achievements and Challenges

Witold Jamróz et al. Pharm Res. .

Abstract

Growing demand for customized pharmaceutics and medical devices makes the impact of additive manufacturing increased rapidly in recent years. The 3D printing has become one of the most revolutionary and powerful tool serving as a technology of precise manufacturing of individually developed dosage forms, tissue engineering and disease modeling. The current achievements include multifunctional drug delivery systems with accelerated release characteristic, adjustable and personalized dosage forms, implants and phantoms corresponding to specific patient anatomy as well as cell-based materials for regenerative medicine. This review summarizes the newest achievements and challenges of additive manufacturing in the field of pharmaceutical and biomedical research that have been published since 2015. Currently developed techniques of 3D printing are briefly described while comprehensive analysis of extrusion-based methods as the most intensively investigated is provided. The issue of printlets attributes, i.e. shape and size is described with regard to personalized dosage forms and medical devices manufacturing. The undeniable benefits of 3D printing are highlighted, however a critical view resulting from the limitations and challenges of the additive manufacturing is also included. The regulatory issue is pointed as well.

Keywords: 3D printing; additive manufacturing; bioprinting; drug delivery; medical devices.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The most important achievements in 3D printing in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.
Fig 2
Fig 2
3DP methods applied for drug formulation.
Fig 3
Fig 3
3D printing methods.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The development of 3D printed object (from ref. (4) with modification).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Examples of 3D printed products developed by different 3DP methods with references in brackets.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Mechanism of DOS 3D printing (from ref. (4) with modification).
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
SLS and SLM technology.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
DOD deposition technology.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
SLA technology.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Extrusion-based techniques.
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Biomedical applications of 3D printing.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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