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Three-Dimensional Printing Technologies for Drug Delivery Applications
4.2. Topical dosage form mucosa or a vaginal epithelium, respectively, due to their
permeability to a range of substances . As with the 3D
[12]
Topical delivery of drugs, also known as transdermal drug
delivery, is the process of administering drugs on to the scanned masks detailed in section 4.2, Sun et al. utilized
the ability of 3D printing to produce customizable
surface of the skin. Due to the high permeability of the skin,
this often requires the assistance of a rate-controlling barrier geometries by using SLA technology, DLP, to print
layer with lower permeability to prevent over-dosing . molds of the rectal and vaginal suppository in which
[16]
[90]
Transdermal DDDs may come in the form of patches, silicon polymers loaded with analgesics were adhered .
masks, wound dressing, etc. Goyanes et al. compared the Numerous studies have demonstrated the use of filament
use of filament extrusion and SLA to incorporate anti-acne extrusion techniques to 3D print T-shaped intrauterine
drug, salicylic acid, into a mask of the intended patients’ system (IUS) devices, which are regularly used to
nose attained through 3D scanning . Drug diffusion tests administer long-lasting contraceptives, with materials
[85]
showed SLA to produce masks with slower degradation, such as polycaprolactone and ethylene vinyl acetate.
higher drug loading (1.9% w/w compared to 0.4–1.2% w/w Details are shown in Table 11.
for FDM) and higher dimensional accuracy . Later, 4.4. Parenteral dosage form
[85]
the same research group continued to print 3D-scanned
masks as drug-delivering wound dressings, adding Parenteral dosage form is the injection of drugs through
antimicrobial metals including zinc, copper, and silver into subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, or intra-arterial
polycaprolactone to better aid wound healing . routes. This dosage form allows the rapid action of the
[86]
A similar concept of using 3D scans of an administered drug .
[96]
individual to tailor transdermal DDDs was exhibited To enhance the powerful delivery capabilities
by Wei et al., who demonstrated the ability to produce of needles, smaller devices were created known as
a face mask based on a pre-scanned file of the patient’s microneedles, which are large enough to contain
face, a mask was created using a medical-grade silicone the drug but small enough to avoid pain and fear .
[97]
gel and a transparent biocompatible material, for a Taking advantage of 3D printing, Pere et al. used
20-h/day treatment of facial hypertrophic scars . More stereolithography technology to create pyramid and
[87]
information of studies about topical dosage form using cone microneedles with a coat of insulin formulations .
[98]
3D printing technology is presented in Table 10. Furthermore, Lim et al. developed microneedles with
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are
4.3. Rectal and vaginal dosage form useful to relieve finger pain, this device was fabricated
Similarly, to topical dosage form, rectal and vaginal with DLP . Table 12 shows information of studies of
[99]
DDDs are administered in direct contact with the rectal parenteral dosage form applying 3D printing.

Table 10. 3D printing technologies for topical dosage form
3D printing API Formulation Effect References
technology
Facial mask
Filament extrusion Salicylic acid Flex EcoPLA (FPLA), Personalized anti-acne facial [85]
polycaprolactone (PCL) masks
Stereolithography Salicylic acid Polyethylene glycol diacrylate Personalized anti-acne facial [85]
(PEGDA), polyethylene glycol masks
(PEG)
Polyjet Silicone gel OBJET MED610 Treatment of facial [87]
hypertrophic scars
Patch
Filament extrusion Copper sulphate, Polycaprolactone (PCL) Antimicrobial wound [86]
zinc oxide dressing
Montelukast sodium Kollidon 12PF, polyethylene Personalized patches [88]
glycol (PEG), and Polyethylene
oxide (PEO)
Syringe extrusion Lidocaine Chitosan methacrylate hydrogels Personalized wound dressing [89]
hydrochloride,
levofloxacin

334 International Journal of Bioprinting (2022)–Volume 8, Issue 4