Preparation of informative wafers (info-wafers) by combination of 3D printing, code design and photopolymerization

Abstract

3D printing is used in manufacturing of personalized and customized medications. Moreover, information technology has been integrated with 3D printing, which builds the basis of informative medications. Here, clonidine hydrochloride (CH) was formulated in informative wafers (info-wafers) by combination of 3D printing, code design and photopolymerization. Braille code (recognized by blind persons), bar code, and quick response (QR) code were used for the design of info-wafers. A code positive mold was 3D-printed with rigid resins by stereolithography, which was transformed to the silicone negative mold by thermal polymerization. A homogeneous CH suspension in N-vinyl pyrrolidone was casted into the negative mold followed by photopolymerization to form CH info-wafers. The bulgy parts of info-wafers were painted with edible ink except for Braille code info-wafers. The CH in info-wafers maintained the amorphous state, which was demonstrated by X-ray diffraction. The amorphous CH had rapid dissolution. Bar code info-wafers were scanned by smartphone though only simple information was obtained. QR code info-wafers were smartphone-scanned to link a website that contained sufficient information such as the instruction of CH application and the collection of patient information. Info-wafers provide online drug information and use instructions for patients to make the treatment standardization and normalization.

Keywords: 3D printing; Bar code; Braille code; Clonidine hydrochloride; Quick response code; Smartphone.