A New Model of a 3D-Printed Shell with Convex Drug Release Profile

The objective of this study was to fabricate a tablet with a convex drug release profile. A circumscribed sphere with a regular tetrahedron (pyramid) cavity shell model was created by a computer-aided design (CAD) program and printed by a 3D printer. Paracetamol (APAP) mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel was filled into the cavity. The tablets were obtained through drying. The release profile was obtained by detecting the APAP concentration in phosphate buffer solution through ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry. Along with the decrement of tablet diameter, drug exposure area gradually increases the release rate of the drug. The results indicate that the release profile from a 3D-printed PVA shell with a tetrahedron cavity is increasing with no residue after dissolution. Potential fields of application may include hypotensors and other types of personalized medicines. Further studies are necessary to explore the potential application of more structures.