(631r) The Effect of Tablet Porosity and Droplet Infilitration On the Release Rates of API Solutions Deposited Onto Methyl Cellulose Tablets

Spreading and infiltration of inkjet-printed droplets of ibuprofen has been studied.  Small droplets of an aqueous solution (8.8 % w/w ibuprofen, ethanol, and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether) were deposited onto porous methylcellulose tablets compressed at 10kN, 15kN, and 20kN pressures. The wetting dynamics, spreading, and infiltration of the droplets were characterized to determine the effect on API dissolution profiles.  Mass transfer of the droplet was also examined to determine the coupling between the processes of the spreading, infiltration, and evaporation dynamics.  It was found that increased values of pressure in tablet compression resulted in diminished API dissolution rates.  Additionally, it was determined that the infiltration of the drug into the tablet pores decreased directly as tablet compression increased.