TNO recently released a new episode that shows a very unique printer; a printer that can make medicine. Unthinkable? Everyday cake for the team of Jayeeta Sengupta, program manager and senior consultant of 3D pharma printing.
Customized tablets
Sengupta is working on a machine that can 3D print custom-made tablets. But why would we need a printer when making medicine, you might ask? There are a number of benefits that such machines can bring to the world of medicine.
These 3D printers can make pills with the precise dosage for each patient. After all, everyone is different and therefore needs different doses of different medications. A child is a lot smaller than an adult and therefore needs a different dosage. Everyone’s weight and condition also differ, both of which also influence the dosage level.
For example, if you need a dosage of 20 mg, it is difficult to get this precise dosage from pills that come in standard 500 mg form. These then have to be broken into pieces and even then it is very difficult to get the right amount. With a 3D printer, these doses could become a lot more efficient and precise.
More benefits
Such a tailor-made pill is not only important to ensure the correct dosage for each individual, but is also necessary to reduce side effects. This is especially important in pediatrics. With a pill that contains the precise dosage, you guarantee that each patient receives the precise amount that is safe and effective for his or her body.
In addition to accurate dosing, the 3D printer can also offer the option of making different shapes of pills. For example, consider a narrower diameter that is easy to swallow. Or, for example, a rolled or ribbed pill. Respectively, the pill then dissolves more slowly or quickly in the body, which also affects the effectiveness of the pill.
Thanks to the 3D printer, the team is free to design the pill and can therefore respond even more to the individual needs of patients. It is also possible to combine multiple medications in one pill. This will especially be a solution for older patients, who often have to take up to 15 pills per day. If all these medications could be incorporated into 1 or 2 pills, this would make intake a lot easier.
To test
TNO has more than 30 years of experience with 3D printers and is therefore the world leader in food printing. It is therefore one of the few of its kind at the moment. There are only a few printers worldwide that can make pills with this precision and accuracy.
The team only works with approved medications. This means that the active ingredients in the pills are not new and meet medical standards. The innovation is focused on the production process of these pills. This process must of course also meet medical requirements and be efficient and effective.
The pills that roll out of this 3D printer are currently being prepared for testing. Together with the Erasmus Medical Center, TNO carries out tests to optimize the machine. The first pills for patient use will be printed at the end of 2024 and will then be tested. This collaboration represents a milestone that brings the technology one step closer and may be used in a scalable way in the future.
