Rapid interferometric imaging of printed drug laden multilayer structures

Abstract

The developments in printing technologies allow fabrication of micron-size nano-layered delivery systems to personal specifications. In this study we fabricated layered polymer structures for drug-delivery into a microfluidic channel and aimed to interferometrically assure their topography and adherence to each other. We present a scanning white light interferometer (SWLI) method for quantitative assurance of the topography of the embedded structure. We determined rapidly in non-destructive manner the thickness and roughness of the structures and whether the printed layers containing polymers or/and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) adhere to each other. This is crucial in order to have predetermined drug release profiles. We also demonstrate non-invasive measurement of a polymer structure in a microfluidic channel. It shown that traceable interferometric 3D microscopy is a viable technique for detailed structural quality assurance of layered drug-delivery systems. The approach can have impact and find use in a much broader setting within and outside life sciences.

Analysis of 3D Prints by X-ray Computed Microtomography and Terahertz Pulsed Imaging

“…The impact of the structural accuracy and integrity of printed structures for different materials in the pharmaceutical context is relatively poorly understood. Sandler et al (12) used scanning white light interferometry (SWLI) to determine the thickness and roughness of films of printed excipients and drug/excipient mixtures. They also used the same technique to rapidly determine the structure and presence of defects in printed drug delivery systems.…”

Fabrication of extended-release patient-tailored prednisolone tablets via fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing

“…, aesthetic quality of the tablet and the thickness of layer 91 deposition(Sandler et al, 2014a). More recently, a bench top 3D 92 printer was utilized to fabricate a bilayer tablet with immediate93 and extended release pattern(Khaled et al, 2014).…”

Designing Printable Medicinal Products: Solvent System and Carrier‐Substrate Screening

“…However, the application of these techniques for solid state characterization of printed medicinal products has been reported for other medicinal compounds printed on different substrates, e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐coated fiberglass films 17. Moreover, the potential of imaging techniques for solid state characterization of printed medicinal products nowadays is widely being explored 8, 12, 16, 23. Hsu et al demonstrated implication of second‐order nonlinear optical imaging of chiral crystals (SONICC) for characterization of naproxen‐poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP K‐90) solid dispersions prepared by the drop printing technique 16.…”

“…Hsu et al demonstrated implication of second‐order nonlinear optical imaging of chiral crystals (SONICC) for characterization of naproxen‐poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP K‐90) solid dispersions prepared by the drop printing technique 16. Recently, Sandler et al have developed the scanning white light interferometer (SWLI) method for quantitative assurance of topography of printed medicinal products 23.…”