title: A novel fast disintegrating tablet fabricated by three-dimensional printing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Based on computer-aided models, three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology can exercise local control over the material composition, microstructure, and surface texture during it layer-by-layer manufacturing process to endow the products with special properties. It can be a useful tool in the development of novel solid dosage forms.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, a novel fast disintegrating tablet (FDT) with loose powders in it was designed and fabricated using 3DP process. The inner powder regions were formed automatically by depositing the binder solutions onto selected regions during the layer-printing processes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Environmental scanning electron microscope images clearly showed that the printed regions were bound together. The particle size was reduced or individual particles could no longer be distinguished. In contrast, the unprinted regions were uncompacted with cracks and fissures among the loose powders. The tablets had a hardness value of 54.5 N/cm(2) and 0.92% mass loss during the friability tests. The disintegration time of the tablets was 21.8 seconds and the wetting time was 51.7 seconds. The in vitro dissolution tests showed that 97.7% acetaminophen was released in the initial 2 min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3DP process is able to offer novel methods for preparing FDTs.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, College of Chemistry, Donghua University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Deng-Guang
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Branford-White
authors.forename: Yi-Cheng
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Li-Min
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Edward William
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Welbeck
authors.forename: Xiang-Liang
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000737:chemistry; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D011208:Powders; D012995:Solubility; D013607:Tablets / Q000737:chemistry*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D011208:Powders; D013607:Tablets; D014867:Water; D000082:Acetaminophen