Fundamentals and future trends of 3D printing in drug delivery

See the new book, edited by Dimitrios A. Lamprou and Dimitrios G. Fatouros. This book provides an in-depth discussion on key factors affecting the printing process such as different printer technologies, materials selection, resolutions, temperatures and speeds.

Key Features

Includes discussion on key parameters of the printing process like materials selection, temperatures, printing technologies, resolutions, and speeds

3D printed drug delivery methods covered include oral solid dosage, implants, catheters and vascular grafts, and microneedles

Covers the potential of 3D printed drug delivery for personalized medicine

Description: Fundamentals and Future Trends of 3D Printing in Drug Delivery provides readers with all needed information for their journey from ideation to approval of innovative drug delivery devices produced through additive manufacturing.

This book provides an in-depth discussion on key factors affecting the printing process such as different printer technologies, materials selection, resolutions, temperatures and speeds. Dedicated chapters include specific drug delivery devices in the form of oral solid dosage, implants, catheters and vascular grafts, and microneedles. The prospects of 3D printing associated with personalized medicine are covered in a full chapter.

Fundamentals and Future Trends of 3D Printing in Drug Delivery is the perfect reference for any researcher or professional embarking on a 3D printing process for drug delivery devices. The regulatory aspects included are of particular interest to companies entering this promising market.

Chapter 1

Overview of emerging printing technologies: How 2D printing has evolved towards multidimensional printing

Advances in printing technology are reshaping drug delivery, enabling precise customization and dosage control. This chapter explores the evolution from two-dimensional (2D) to seven-dimensional (7D) printing in drug delivery. Beginning with the simplicity and potential of 2D printing for personalized pharmaceutical dosage forms, technologies like inkjet printing facilitate accurate dosing into polymeric orodispersible films (ODFs), enhancing patient adherence. The discussion expands to three-dimensional (3DP) printing, allowing for complex drug delivery systems and tailored dosage forms. Progression into four-dimensional (4D), five-dimensional (5D), six-dimensional (6D), and ultimately seven-dimensional (7D) printing offers increasingly advanced drug delivery systems. Despite potential, unresolved challenges such as material biocompatibility and regulatory issues persist. Nevertheless, these multidimensional printing technologies hold promise for revolutionizing precise and personalized drug delivery, paving the way for customized patient care.

See the chapter

Aikaterini Dedeloudi, Rachel Milliken, Thomas Quinten, Sune Andersen, Dimitrios A. Lamprou, Chapter 1 – Overview of emerging printing technologies: How 2D printing has evolved towards multidimensional printing, Editor(s): Dimitrios A. Lamprou, Dimitrios G. Fatouros, Fundamentals and future trends of 3D printing in drug delivery, Academic Press, 2025, Pages 1-28, ISBN 9780443236457, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-23645-7.00001-5.

Chapter 5

3D printing in personalized medicine

3D printing encompasses a revolutionizing set of technologies that are paving the way towards tailored solid dosage forms personalization. 3D printed personalized medications offer a promising potential for improving patient outcomes and increasing treatment adherence. Despite the existing challenges in regulatory frameworks, technological limitations, and cost and accessibility, the potential benefits of this innovative approach to drug delivery are outstanding. Through continued research, technological advancements, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders, the adoption of 3D printed personalized medications in clinical practice will become increasingly feasible, revolutionizing personalized medicine in the future. This book chapter will explore the mayor challenges overcome by 3DP printing technologies to manufacture different dosage forms as well as the safety and quality assessment for their implementation in clinical practice and acceptability by patients and healthcare professionals.

See the chapter

Baris Ongoren, Iván Yuste, Brayan J. Anaya, Francis C. Luciano, Sergio A. Sánchez-Guirales, Aytug Kara, Dolores R. Serrano, Chapter 5 – 3D printing in personalized medicine, Editor(s): Dimitrios A. Lamprou, Dimitrios G. Fatouros, Fundamentals and future trends of 3D printing in drug delivery, Academic Press, 2025, Pages 101-126, ISBN 780443236457, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-23645-7.00005-2.

Chapter 8

3D printed microneedle patches for painless drug delivery

Injections are widely used for drug administration to obtain systemic or local therapeutic effects. They ensure a quick onset of action and accurate administration of a specific dose. However, their use is associated with limitations such as pain, fear of the procedure, and usually the need for administration by qualified medical personnel. With their sharp tips and small size, microneedles can deliver the drug to the patient simply and painlessly. Moreover, they physically overcome the skin barrier and thus facilitate transdermal drug delivery. Various 3D printing methods are being investigated to manufacture microneedles of different types and shapes with good resolution and mechanical properties. This chapter aims to introduce the concept of 3D-printed microneedles as a novel drug delivery system, giving an insight into microneedles’ characteristics, printing methods, and recent attempts at medical applications.

See the chapter

Monika Wojtyłko, Anna Froelich, Barbara Jadach, Mirosław Szybowicz, Ariadna Nowicka, Tomasz Osmałek, Chapter 8 – 3D printed microneedle patches for painless drug delivery, Editor(s): Dimitrios A. Lamprou, Dimitrios G. Fatouros,
Fundamentals and future trends of 3D printing in drug delivery, Academic Press, 2025, Pages 185-206, ISBN 780443236457, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-23645-7.00008-8.

Chapter 13

Additive Manufacturing (AM) and AI

In this chapter, we investigate the trends of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Additive Manufacturing (AM). After giving an overview of the fields of AI and AM, we will show their specific intersection areas and explore them from a future perspective. We look at the role of industry 5.0, mass customization and the AM production lifecycle in the context of AI. We investigate the logistics of AM and AI, illuminating the crucial role of resources here. We then look at future trends that will affect these developments and how, from the actual view, some future applications and technology evolution can be given as a vision. Then, by merging those disciplines, we focus on which special applications may arise in medicine and drug delivery.

See the chapter

Bernhard Heiden, Bianca Tonino-Heiden, Chapter 13 – Additive Manufacturing (AM) and AI, Editor(s): Dimitrios A. Damprou, Dimitrios G. Fatouros, Fundamentals and future trends of 3D printing in drug delivery, Academic Press,
2025, Pages 283-304, ISBN 9780443236457, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-23645-7.00013-1.

See the full book here

Dimitrios A. Lamprou, Dimitrios G. Fatouros, Published 2025, ISBN978-0-443-23645-7, Imprint Academic Press, Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved including those for text and data mining AI training and similar technologies, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/C2023-0-00866-4