When it comes to 3D printing, the sky is the limit. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, applications can be as far reaching as airplane and automobile parts to medical devices and even anatomically correct, biocompatible models. Although 3D printing technology is developing at a rapid pace, the technology itself is not new. It emerged in the 1980s as a means of creating rapid prototypes. In recent years the applications for 3D printed models have evolved with the available hardware, software, and printable materials. Evolving technology, paired with the creative and innovative minds of scientists, engineers, and physicians, has been the launching pad for developments within 3D printing technology specific to healthcare. One way 3D printing technology is poised to create better patient outcomes is in creating an anatomically and patient-specific models to aid in surgery and medical procedures. With the capability to 3D ...
By now, you may be used to hearing about how new polymers are improving the healthcare world. Who can blame you? Solutions arise over and over again as scientists develop various polymers with specific, advantageous properties. Now, two products have the potential to allow more effective, timely drug delivery.
New hydrogel supports controlled drug release
One of the problems facing some doctors is the challenge to prescribe a drug that will release in small doses over a period of time, according to an Institute of Bioengineering press release. In the case of diseases like hepatitis C, patient access to lasting, well-timed drug release is essential. The stakes are high – hepatitis C kills 500,000 people every year.
One of the problems facing some doctors is the challenge to prescribe a drug that will release in small doses over a period of time, according to an Institute of Bioengineering press release. In the case of diseases like hepatitis C, patient access to lasting, well-timed drug release is essential. The stakes are high – hepatitis C kills 500,000 people every year.
"Patient access to lasting, well-timed drug release is essential."
However, one team of researchers believe they've found the key to this type of treatment. Scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology of A*STAR created a hydrogel capable of delivering the necessary doses of medicine without the need for numerous uncomfortable injections.
"The new gel from IBN prevents premature drug release in the body," IBN Executive Director Professor Jackie Y. Ying. "This allows for long-term drug delivery and reduces the side effects from frequent drug administration. We hope that our solution can improve the treatment and well-being of patients suffering from chronic diseases such as hepatitis C."
So why haven't doctors used hydrogels all along? Because until recently, their chemical makeup prevented them from retaining the drug for controlled release. But the IBN team modified the architecture using a polymer called polyethylene glycol. A gel based on this polymer contains "reservoirs" where the drug can be safely stored until release. Using this technique, researchers found they could effectively avoid as many as eight intravenous injections of the drug with just one oral dose of the hydrogel.
"I believe that our method can pave the way for more effective and safe treatment of hepatitis C," Principal Research Scientist Dr. Motoichi Kurisawa concluded. "We are also testing the microstructured gel for the treatment of other chronic diseases besides hepatitis C."
Nanowires allow wireless control
If producing a compound that controls drug release automatically is one solution, another is devising away to tell the product when to release the drug. That's the angle taken by researchers at Purdue University. Their idea is to implant nanowires made of electromagnetically-conductive polymer polypyrrole. Using an external controller, the tiny wires can control the release of a drug without relying on more invasive techniques, according to the new report from the university.
If producing a compound that controls drug release automatically is one solution, another is devising away to tell the product when to release the drug. That's the angle taken by researchers at Purdue University. Their idea is to implant nanowires made of electromagnetically-conductive polymer polypyrrole. Using an external controller, the tiny wires can control the release of a drug without relying on more invasive techniques, according to the new report from the university.
"This tool allows us to apply drugs as needed directly to the site of injury, which could have broad medical applications," said team leader Richard Borgens. "The technology is in the early stages of testing, but it is our hope that this could one day be used to deliver drugs directly to spinal cord injuries, ulcerations, deep bone injuries or tumors, and avoid the terrible side effects of systemic treatment with steroids or chemotherapy."
The technology works in the same way as a remote control: By creating an electromagnetic field that corresponds to the nanowires, they can be made to function in certain ways. It's the same principle as turning on a television from the couch.
Analytical testing is the next step
There is still plenty of testing that must be done in both of these cases. Timed drug release is a valuable but tricky thing to pull off – too much drug could be hazardous to the patient and ineffective against the disease. Not enough is obviously a dangerous situation, too. The hydrogel must be engineer in a specific way to hold onto the drug longer than previous versions, while the nanowires must be able to respond to the remote control under any conditions.
There is still plenty of testing that must be done in both of these cases. Timed drug release is a valuable but tricky thing to pull off – too much drug could be hazardous to the patient and ineffective against the disease. Not enough is obviously a dangerous situation, too. The hydrogel must be engineer in a specific way to hold onto the drug longer than previous versions, while the nanowires must be able to respond to the remote control under any conditions.
That's where chemical analysis and medical product testing comes into play. Through an independent facility, researchers can discover any potential shortcomings or unforeseen issues with their products. It's critical to discover these early in the development stages so the teams can remedy them without undermining years of research. Plus, these processes will ultimately help the products gain FDA approval and allow the public to benefit from the innovative technologies.
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