Fused - Filament 3 D Printing ( 3 DP ) for Fabrication of 1 Tablets

25 The use of fused-filament 3D printing (FF 3DP) to fabricate individual tablets is 26 demonstrated. The technology permits the manufacture of tablets containing drug 27 doses tailored to individual patients, or to fabrication of tablets with specific drug-28 release profiles. Commercially produced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) filament was loaded 29 with a model drug (Fluorescein) by swelling of the polymer in ethanolic drug solution. A final drug-loading of 0.29% w/w was achieved. Tablets of PVA/Fluorescein (10 mm 31 diameter) were printed using a 3D printer. It was found that changing the degree of 32 infill percentage in the printer software varied the weight and volume of the printed 33 tablets. The tablets were mechanically strong and no significant thermal degradation 34 of the active occurred during printing. Dissolution tests were conducted in modified 35 Hank's buffer. The results showed release profiles were dependent on the infill 36 percentage used to print the tablet. The study indicates that FF 3DP has the potential 37 to offer a new solution for fabricating personalized-dose medicines or unit dosage 38 forms with controlled-release profiles. In addition, the low cost of FDM printers means 39 the paradigm of extemporaneous or point-of-use manufacture of personalized-dose 40 tablets is both feasible and attainable.