Preparation and characterization of indomethacin loaded films by piezoelectric inkjet printing: a personalized medication approach.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of piezoelectric inkjet technology in the preparation of custom-made indomethacin (IMC) films. Indomethacin solutions with and without PVP were printed onto polymeric sheets using a commercial inkjet printer. Drug loading was varied by selecting a machine parameter different dots per inches (DPIs). The printed patches were evaluated for particulate morphologies, drug loading, in vitro release and ex vivo skin permeation and anti-inflammatory effects using hind paw inflammation model. Calculated drug loaded in 2 × 2 cm2 patches of IMC of 96, 300, and 600 DPIs were in the range of 40, 60, and 65 µg, respectively. Patches loaded with IMC alcoholic solution showed crystalline structures observed by scanning electron microscopy and the addition of PVP in solution turned it to amorphous form. The drug release profile showed 60-70% of total drug released in 3 h. Permeation studies showed 40-50% of total drug loaded permeated through rat skin using Franz cells. Patches with higher printing density 600 DPI showed anti-inflammatory effect in hind paw inflammation model studies. This study has shown the potential of personalized medicine in which a calculated amount of drug can be delivered to patients by piezoelectric technology.

Polymeric Based Therapeutic Delivery Systems Prepared Using Electrohydrodynamic Processes.

The development of therapeutic dosage (e.g. pharmaceutical) systems is an ongoing process which, in recent times has incorporated several emerging disciplines and themes at timely intervals. While the concepts surrounding dosage forms have developed and evolved, many polymeric excipients remain as the preferred choice of materials over existing counterparts, serving functions as matrix materials, coatings and providing other specific functional properties (e.g. adhesion, controlled release and mechanical properties). There have been, however, developments in the deployment of synthetic polymeric materials (e.g. polycaprolactone, poly lactic co-glycolic acid) when compared to naturally occurring materials (e.g. lactose, gelatin). Advances in pharmaceutical process technologies have also provided novel engineering platforms to develop a host of exciting structure based materials ranging from the nanometer to the macro scales. Some of these structure enabling technologies include spray drying, super critical processing, microfluidics and even wet chemical methods. More recently electrohydrodynamic (EHDA) engineering methods have emerged as robust technologies offering potential to fabricate a plethora of generic structures (e.g. particles, fibres, bubbles and pre-determined patterns) on a broad scale range. This review focuses on key developments using various EHDA technologies for the pharmaceutical and biomaterial remits when selecting synthetic and/or naturally occurring polymers as pharmaceutical (and therapeutic) excipients. In addition, the underlying EHDA process principles are discussed along with key parameters and variables (both materials and engineering). EHDA technologies are operational at ambient conditions and recent developments have also demonstrated their viability for large scale production. These are promising technologies which have potential in established (e.g. films, dressings and microparticles) and emerging scientific themes (e.g. nanomedicines and tissue engineering).