Texture Analysis in the Advancement of Medical Products

Tissue engineering now plays an important role in the replacement, repair, maintenance, or enhancement of tissue function. The tissue engineering relates to the use of a “scaffold” combining with cells and biologically active molecules into functional tissues. The goal of tissue engineering is to generate new viable tissue by assembling functional constructs that are suitable for tissue formation. Many biomaterials have been applied to produce a scaffold which is an artificial structure that acts as a template for tissue formation and also as an optimum microenvironment for cell attachment, migration, proliferation and differentiation. The harvested cells attach onto the scaffold, so that it will migrate, multiply, grow and develop into tissue. In order to provide the proper microenvironment for the cells, the scaffold must be biocompatible and non-toxic with the cells. It must be biodegradable and have suitable mechanical strength, surface chemistry and high porosity. For example in the following research:

The albumin/starch scaffold and its biocompatibility with living cells

A novel assessment of microstructural and mechanical behaviour of bilayer silica-reinforced nanocomposite hydrogels as a candidate for artificial cartilage

Development of Zoledronic Acid Containing Biomaterials for Enhanced Guided Bone Regeneration

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is also a revolutionary breakthrough in the era of personalised medicine. 3D printing brings numerous advantages to fulfil personalised treatment, especially for the manufacture of pharmaceutical implants, tissues and oral drugs. Implantable delivery systems can be fabricated with the desired shape and structures to fit, for example, a tumour-resected site. The porosity and surface area can be easily altered by computer-aided design (CAD) to achieve predictable release kinetic. Rapid prototyping makes it possible to real-time print customised implants for individual patients at a low cost.

Recently, there have been many research achievements in the 3D bioprinting sphere that employ a Texture Analyser as part of medical research:

3D Printed Hollow Microneedles Array using Stereolithography for Efficient Transdermal Delivery of Rifampicin

Three-Dimensional Printing of Curcumin-Loaded Biodegradable and Flexible Scaffold for Intracranial Therapy of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Fabrication of Montelukast sodium loaded filaments and 3D printing transdermal patches onto packaging material

3D Printed Calcium Phosphate Cement (CPC) Scaffolds for Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery

3D-Printed Poly (ε-Caprolactone)/Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds Modified with Alkaline Hydrolysis Enhance Osteogenesis In Vitro

Production of Reproducible Filament Batches for the Fabrication of 3D Printed Oral Forms

Structure-Function Correlation and Personalized 3D Printed Tablets using a Quality by Design (QbD) Approach

Novel On-Demand 3-Dimensional (3-D) Printed Tablets Using Fill Density as an Effective Release-Controlling Tool

Currently, transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) are an attractive alternative drug delivery pathway for oral administration and hypodermic injection, as they are painless, convenient, and may increase the bioavailability of the drugs. Moreover, TDDS may provide the controlled delivery of a drug through the stratum corneum for local or systemic approaches. TDDS provides several advantages, such as the avoidance of drug destruction in the digestive tract and hepatic first-pass effect, a reduction of gastrointestinal side effects, a single application for multi-day therapy, the possibility of rapid cessation due to an uncomplicated removal, and the possibility of providing an accurate dose of drugs. Drug-in-adhesive patches take advantage of close contact by the attachment of the patches and the stratum corneum, the barrier to drug transportation through the skin, to deliver the drugs into the skin or the blood circulation. Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are one of the most significant components in a transdermal system. PSAs are used for skin adhesion and as a matrix for drugs and other excipients. PSAs can impact the properties of transdermal patches, such as drug permeation, adhesive properties, and physicochemical properties. PSAs should be safe for the skin, adhere quickly and strongly to the skin, and be detachable without pain and leave no residue on the skin. A Texture Analyser is typically used to measure a range of adhesive properties to characterise transdermal patches. For example in the following research:

Development and Evaluation of Novel Water-Based Drug-in-Adhesive Patches for the Transdermal Delivery of Ketoprofen

Towards the advance of a novel iontophoretic patch for needle-free buccal anaesthesia

The search for an ocular drug delivery system that could provide long-acting effects without a detriment to the anatomy and physiology of the eye remains a challenge. Properties that may need to be measured and controlled for this drug delivery method include tensile/compressive strength and mucoadhesion. For example in the following research:

Corneal delivery of moxifloxacin and dexamethasone combination using drug-eluting mucoadhesive contact lens to treat ocular infections

Imprinted Contact Lenses for Ocular Administration of Antiviral Drugs

Curcumin In Situ Gelling Polymeric Insert with Enhanced Ocular Performance

Advances in Understanding the Mechanism of Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Device Retention in the Anterior Chamber or on the Corneal Surface during Ocular Surgery

Non-invasive Cornea and Sclera Strengthening Device and Method

The medical industry is becoming heavily reliant on the TA.XTplusC Texture Analyser as a tool for the measurement of all types of physical/mechanical properties. See a wider range of test and measurement possibilities in this field. 

To find out more about Texture Analysis of pharmaceutical products, contact Stable Micro Systems today.

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For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.

The TA.XTplus texture analyser is part of a family of texture analysis instruments and equipment from Stable Micro Systems. An extensive portfolio of specialist attachments is available to measure and analyse the textural properties of a huge range of food products. Our technical experts can also custom design instrument fixtures according to individual specifications.

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