Structured solid dosage form

Abstract

At present, the most prevalent pharmaceutical dosage forms, the oral immediate-release tablets and capsules, are porous solids of compacted drug and excipient powders. Upon ingestion, physiological fluid percolates the open pores, and the dosage form disintegrates and the drug dissolves. Because the pores in the compacted solids are not well connected, however, fluid percolation generally is not uniform, and the drug release rate is difficult to predict and control. To overcome such limitations, therefore, herein a structured solid dosage form is disclosed. The structured solid dosage form comprises a structural assembly of one or more repeatably arranged, extruded structural elements. The elements comprise segments separated and spaced from adjoining segments by free spacings defining one or more substantially interconnected free spaces, or channels, in the dosage form through which a physiological fluid may percolate. The disclosed dosage form enables more predictable drug release rates, and can be readily manufactured by 3D-printing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.