New 3D printing technique enables drug production in 7 seconds

Although two different people have the same diagnosis, this does not mean that they should use the same dose of medication in the treatment part. A new 3D printing technique developed shows that it allows the production of personalized medicines in 7 seconds.

Fast 3D printing for personalized medicines

Normally, a technique called watt photopolymerization, which uses light and does not require high heat, is used to solidify the resin into a printed tablet in the production of 3D printed drugs. The slow process is seen as a problem, as the method requires the creation of drugs layer by layer.

University of London Academy researchers have developed a new vat polymerization technique to reduce time as much as possible. The technique allowed the processing time to be reduced from a few minutes to 7-17 seconds by printing the entire object at once.

In the technique, which works by polishing multiple images of the object viewed from different angles onto the resin, the intensity of the light is adjusted until polymerization occurs simultaneously. With the technique they developed, the researchers were able to produce 3D-printed tablets loaded with paracetamol in 17 seconds. This time was 7 seconds in the production of some tablets.

Co-author of the study, Dr. Alvaro Goyanes: “Personalized 3D-printed drugs are rapidly evolving and reaching the clinic. We have developed a 3D printer that produces tablets in seconds to adapt to the fast-paced clinical environment. This technology could change the game for the pharmaceutical industry.” made statements.