Researchers Develop 3D-Printed Implant That Can Automatically Release Medication

A 3D printed implant capable of delivering controlled doses of medicine over the course of several weeks is currently being developed by scientists from the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) of San Antonio and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The researchers claim that this device could potentially be used in treatment for patients suffering from conditions such as cancer, AIDS, or arthritis.

In theory with this SwRI and UTSA developed implant, controlled and personalized doses of medication can be administered to a patient automatically over an extended period of time with no physician contact necessary. With many patients requiring frequent visits to their doctor to receive proper medication at the correct intervals, such as those with cancer, this implant could not only facilitate the process for them, but for their providers as well.

The SwRI and UTSA team’s plan to develop this implant with a 3D printer located at UTSA that is capable of printing biodegradable material, eliminating need for operation to remove the implant. The prosthetic will simply dissolve within the patient, in theory. This implant is designed to initiate immunotherapy in the area it is administered, triggering the body to target cancerous bodies. The researchers note that though the device was conceived with cancer therapy in mind, it’s design can accommodate all drug types and potentially treat many conditions.

This research project, led by Albert Zwiener of SwRI’s Chemistry and Chemical Engineering departments and Lyle Hood of UTSA’s College of Engineering department, is funded by a $125,000 grant from the Connecting through Research Partnerships (Connect) program. This program seeks to foster interactions between investigators and provide support to projects that span multiple institutions.

“The implant addresses a specific patient’s illness in addition to their medical history and other health issues,” Zwiener said. “We inject this non-invasive device into the body to deliver medicine over a significant period of time.”

With 3D printing becoming a hotbed for medical possibilities, many researchers are looking to use the technology to revolutionize healthcare. 3D printing already comprises a majority of hearing aid development, as well as specialized prosthetic limbs and dental apparatus.

“If clinically translated, this would allow for doctors and pharmacists to print specific dosages to meet patients’ needs,” said Hood. “In immunotherapy, most strategies employ systemic circulation through an IV line, much like chemotherapy. this can cause issues with immune reactions far away from the intended target. We hope that by delivering locally, we can keep acute effects constrained to the diseased region.”

SwRI and UTSA to develop 3D printed medical implant for slow-release cancer medication https://t.co/P3BEjypVO2 pic.twitter.com/kE3RgjCXHH

— 3D Printing News (@3DPrintMaven) September 11, 2018

Sources: 3D Printing Industry, 3Ders