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3DP medication label for BVI
On the other hand, fusion deposition modeling 1-mm intervals, while height variations of the
(FDM), also known as fused filament fabrication words above 0.38 mm were also printed following
(FFF), using a temperature-controlled extrusion previous studies . As the words could not be
[30]
nozzle to deposit a viscous molten thermoplastic printed intact if the elevations were <0.5 mm,
polymer into a 3D structure, is among the most subsequent word designs were printed in height
widely used 3DP technologies due to its availability increments of 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm instead.
and affordability. Rimington et al. used skeletal Word designs with elevations of 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm,
muscle cells in multiple scaffolds printed by FDM and 1.5 mm were printed with a center-to-center
with biopolymers to study cellular behaviors . letter spacing of 4 mm and 5 mm, since there was
[21]
FDM has also been used to manufacture medical residual material in the printed prototype when
instruments . the letter spacing was <3 mm. For the medication
[22]
Various FDM printable materials have been names to be felt more distinctively by touch, letters
reported, for example, ceramics [23,24] , metal , with alternating height elevations were printed
[25]
polylactic acid , and acrylonitrile butadiene and compared against uniform elevations. For
[26]
styrene (ABS) [21,26] . ABS is a strong and durable letters with alternating height elevations, different
material. Previously, we used ABS to print molds to variations in height were also printed.
make dental anesthetic patches and oral capsules Shapes and symbols were used to design
[27]
for controlled drug release . Domingo-Espin et al. the dosing instructions of medications. Three
[28]
identified several parameters in the FDM printing parameters were considered. These included the
process that affected the lifespan of ABS materials . dose units, frequency of administration per day, and
[29]
In this study, we used an FDM printer to produce how the medication would be taken with regards to
3D ABS medication labels for BVI patients. Our food. For dose units, different shapes representing
hypothesis is that 3D labels are useful as an aid different dosage forms (e.g., half sphere and oval
for BVI patients to manage their medications. In representing a tablet and capsule, respectively)
addition, this project aims to identify the features and a universal half-sphere shape to represent all
that make a 3D medication label more patient- dosage forms were printed. For the frequency of
centric and user-friendly for BVI patients. administration, vertical and horizontal lines were
printed. For medication timing with reference to
2 Materials and methods food, left and right arrows would indicate that the
medication has to be taken before and after food,
2.1 3D label design and printing respectively, while a double-pointing arrow would
indicate that the medication could be taken without
Different variations of format parameters, inclusive regard to food. Hence, a 3DP medication label
of the label wordings, dosing instructions, and with three half spheres, three vertical lines, and a
medication identifiers, were designed, 3D-printed, right arrow would indicate an instruction to take
and visually inspected by the authors at the first three tablets 3 times a day after food (Figure 1).
instance. The label wordings were designed In addition, symbols were also designed to
with reference to format styles recommended serve as medication identifiers to the medical
by American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) condition of the patient. The medication identifiers
guidelines . Variations in letter case, type style, were classified based on common chronic diseases
[10]
center-to-center letter spacing, and elevation of in Singapore and the target organs of the
[31]
letters were printed. For example, medication medications (Table 1). All medication identifiers
names were printed in regular and bold fonts, as were printed in different sizes and elevation heights.
well as using an all uppercase style compared The printing of the labels followed a standard
to an upper- and lower-case combination. The FDM process, in which the thermoplastic polymer
center-to-center spacing of each letter in the word ABS was deposited layer by layer to form the
design was varied between 1 mm and 5 mm, using labels . The 3D model of symbols was designed
[32]
116 International Journal of Bioprinting (2020)–Volume 6, Issue 2