A new 3D printing method from theLanger Lab马萨诸塞州理工学院（MIT）开发了一种制造疫苗的方法，该疫苗可释放多种药物受控的时间。
Termed StampEd Assembly of polymer Layers (SEAL), the process harnesses photolithography to 3D print and seal microscopic wells, or “cups”, containing acute doses of selected liquid drugs.
The technique has the potential to transform the vaccination for children and those most in need around the world, presenting “unprecedented opportunities” manufacturing for medicine and more.
Animation of MIT’s SEAL process. Clip via科学杂志补充材料.
有需要的人的医疗解决方案
The research is supported by funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that aims to solve “global health and development problems for those most in need.”
Project lead Robert Langerexplains the concept saying “…people could potentially receive a single injection that, in effect, would have multiple boosters already built into it.”
Langer adds, “This could have a significant impact on patients everywhere, especially in the developing world where patient compliance is particularly poor.”
基金会资助的另一个3D打印项目是发展a new contraceptive paradigmthat uses Aether 3D bioprinters to create Fallopian tube models.
Every cup has a lid
MIT’s SEAL method uses photolithographic 3D printing to cure silicon molds of microscopic square cups and lids. Under 400 mm in size, a total of 2,000 molds can fit onto a single glass slide.
The method differs fromother nanolithographic methodsof 3D printing as it doesn’t require the use of a photoactived additives that are largely harmful to humans.
密封3D印刷的模具用于塑造FDA认可的PLGA的结构 - 一种共聚物，可生物相容性，可降解，可用于癌症治疗和脑部手术后的药物递送。
Each cup is filled with a liquid drug by an automated dispensing system. Afterwards, the lids are added and heated slightly to fuse together.
Over one month of controlled drug delivery
In the Langer Lab study, the micromolded particles (cups) are tested in-vitro, and added to a syringe for administering in-vivo to living animal models. Of three different PLGA samples tested, one sample in particular proved capable of gradual drug release over a period of 56 days. Whereas others released over 20 and 30.
An exciting discovery
A report on the SEAL process waspublished in September’s Science magazine.
The paper is co-authored by Allison Linehan, David Yang, Adam Behrens, Sviatlana Rose, Zachary Tochka, Stephanie Tzeng, James Norman, Aaron Anselmo, Xian Xu, Stephanie Tomasic, Matthew Taylor, Jennifer Lu, and Rohiverth Guarecuco.
In closing comments on the technique Langer says, “We are very excited about this work because, for the first time, we can create a library of tiny, encased vaccine particles, each programmed to release at a precise, predictable time”.
He adds, “The SEAL technique could provide a new platform that can create nearly any tiny, fillable object with nearly any material, which could provide unprecedented opportunities in manufacturing in medicine and other areas.”
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Featured image shows an MIT logo 3D printed by the new photolithographic method developed by the Langer Lab. SEM image via the Langer Lab/MIT.
