Apparatus for 3D-micro-patterning

An apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical solid dosage forms comprising:

• At least one first extruder and at least one second extruder;
• said first extruder comprising an extrusion channel with feeding ports for injecting drug and excipient into the extrusion channel;
• said first extruder further comprising at least a heating element;
• said first extruder further comprising means for forming and extruding a plasticized matrix in said extrusion channel;
• wherein
• said extrusion channel terminates at at least one exit port, said at least one exit port having at least a valve, said valve mated to at least one input port of at least one second extruder;
• said second extruder comprising:
• its own extrusion channel defined by channel walls, the channel having a first end and a second exit port end, said channel walls in contact with and enclosing a piston translatable along the channel's longitudinal axis between said first and second ends, wherein said piston recedes towards said first end upon filling of the extrusion channel with plasticized matrix from the first extruder;
• means for translating the piston and thereby conveying the plasticized matrix at a controlled speed towards the second end, said second end terminating in a fiber fabrication exit port for extruding the conveyed plasticized matrix and manufacturing the dosage forms;
• and
• a translating or rotating stage movable in the x, y, and z directions at the controlled speed of the exiting extruded, plasticized fiber, whereby the exiting fiber can be assembled into a three dimensional structural framework by depositing said fiber along a path defined by motion of said stage.