Design and Fabrication of Drug Delivery Devices with Complex Architectures Based on Three-dimensional Printing Technique

A new type of implantable drug delivery devices (DDD) with complicated architectures were fabricated by three-dimensional printing technique, employing levofloxacin (LVFX) as a model drug. Processing parameters were optimized in view of the layer thickness, spacing between printed lines, flow rate of liquid binder and the fast axis speed. The prepared DDD prototype consists of a double-layer structure, of which the upper region is a reservoir system and the lower region is a matrix one. The in vitro release test revealed that LVFX was released in a dual-pulse pattern. This DDD may present a new strategy for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases such as bone infections in the near future.