Selective laser sintering 3D printing – an overview of the technology and pharmaceutical applications

作者：Naseem A. Charoo, Sogra F. Barakh Ali, Eman M. Mohamed, Mathew Kuttolamadom, Tanil Ozkan, Mansoor A. Khan, Ziyaur Rahman · 发表于：Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy · 年份：2020 · DOI：10.1080/03639045.2020.1764027 · 被引用次数：266 · 研究领域：Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies、3D Printing in Biomedical Research、Injection Molding Process and Properties

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a drug product (Spritam®) and many medical devices manufactured by three-dimensional printing (3DP) processes for human use. There is immense potential to print personalized medicines using 3DP. Many 3DP methods have been reported in the literature for pharmaceutical applications. However, selective laser sintering (SLS) printing has remained least explored for pharmaceutical applications. There are many advantages and challenges in adopting a SLS method for fabrication of personalized medicines. Solvent-free nature, availability of FDA approved thermoplastic polymer/excipients (currently used in hot melt-extrusion process), minimal/no post-processing step, etc. are some of the advantages of the SLS printing process. Major challenges of the technology are requirement of at least one thermoplastic component in the formulation and thermal stability of drug and excipients. This review provides an overview of the SLS printing method, excipient requirements, process monitoring, quality defects, regulatory aspects, and potential pharmaceutical applications.