Design of a Personalized Nasal Device (Matrix-Piston Nasal Device, MPD) for Drug Delivery: a 3D-Printing Application

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is the development and the in vitro evaluation of a novel device for the nasal delivery of biodegradable polymeric films. The Matrix-Piston nasal Device (MPD) was designed and then printed employing Fused Deposition Modeling. Particularly, the CAD model of MPD was produced considering the human anatomical features of the nasal cavity and aiming to deliver the formulation on the olfactory region. The device consists of two independent parts constructed by different materials. For the 3D-printing process, different materials were tested to decide the most applicable for each part. More precisely, Thermoplastic Polyurethene (TPU) polymer was selected to print the matrix, while Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) for the piston. Furthermore, two nasal casts were printed to be used for the assessment of the device. Namely, an hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose-based drug-free film, containing polyethylene glycol 400 as plasticizer and methyl-β-cyclodextrin as permeation enhancer, was formed on the MPD to be tested for its ability to be detached from the device and positioned on the artificial olfactory region of the nasal cast. The deposition of the film on the targeted area of the semi-realistic nasal cast took place successfully. Graphical abstract

The Potential of Films as Transmucosal Drug Delivery Systems

“…Recently, a nasal applicator for nose-to-brain administration films was developed. In this study, the applicator was produced via fused deposition modeling 3D printing and tested in a nasal cast with an in situ film-forming gel formulation [141]. With the development of nasal applicators, it is possible that new studies of nasal application films will be carried out, since they are a promising pharmaceutical form for administering drugs through the nose-to-brain route.…”

Novel Approach to Pharmaceutical 3D-Printing Omitting the Need for Filament—Investigation of Materials, Process, and Product Characteristics

“…Alongside the mentioned advantages of pharmaceutical 3DP, the technology enables prompt assessment of feasibility and applicability of highly complex dosage forms and devices. Recent research efforts reveal that innovations such as personalized fluoride-eluting mouthguards, individualized Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 2488 2 of 16 nasal piston devices, compartment-, combi-, core-, shell-, alternating-, bi-, or poly-pills are solely possible thanks to advances in pharmaceutical 3DP technology [6][7][8][9][10].…”