The feasibility of the injection moulding (IM) was explored for the development of novel drug delivery systems. Controlled release formulations were developed using a substituted cellulose derivative, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and a graft co-polymer (Soluplus®). BCS class II drugs ibuprofen and the felodipine were selected based on their physicochemical properties. In the present work, a homogenous dispersion of drugs in the polymer matrices was achieved using Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) and extruded pellets obtained were used for the development of the injection moulded systems. Four systems were developed using the IM consisting of ibuprofen-HPMCAS, ibuprofen-Soluplus®, felodipine-PEO-HPMCAS and felodipine-Soluplus®. The ibuprofen acts as a good plasticiser compared to felodipine therefore, felodipine containing IM systems required a plasticiser (PEO) when processed with HPMCAS. The analysis of extruded pellets and injection moulded systems using modulated DSC (MDSC) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of an amorphous molecular dispersion (i.e solid solution) in the case of all four systems. The phase separation behaviour and the amorphous stability of the systems was studied at various stress conditions. This revealed the “surface crystallisation” behaviour of the ibuprofen-HPMCAS systems. Temperature-composition phase diagram constructed based on the melting point depression and the Flory-Huggins lattice solution theory provided the explanation for the phase separation and crystallisation behaviour of ibuprofen-HPMCAS systems. The advanced characterisation techniques like DMA, 2D XRD and 3D laser microscopy provided the detailed understanding of crystal habits, phase seperation and surface crystallisation. The significant effect of the stress conditions on the rate of shrinkage was observed where, higher shrinkage tendency of a HPMCAS IM system was observed compared to Soluplus® IM systems. The extruded pellets provided the faster drug release compared to the moulded tablets suggests the effect of particle size as well as the densification during IM on the dissolution rate of the dosage form. The nature of the polymer and processing history were the contributing factors for the dissolution of the dosage forms.

Os sistemas multiparticulados são aqueles nos quais a dose do fármaco está dividida em pequenas unidades funcionais, tendo assim, uma série de vantagens sobre os sistemas monolíticos convencionais. Este trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver formulações multiparticuladas de uso oral para fármacos anti-hipertensivos que serão utilizados na composição de associações. O material está dividido em seis capítulos, sendo inicialmente apresentada uma revisão da literatura a respeito da caracterização física destas pequenas unidades. Ensaios como análise granulométrica, morfologia, densidade, porosidade, avaliação de resistência mecânica e desintegração são os mais empregados para esta finalidade, possibilitando ao formulador conhecer os fatores de maior impacto relacionados às matérias primas e ao processo de fabricação no comportamento das formulações produzidas. Os demais capítulos seguem com o desenvolvimento dos sistemas multiparticulados, que foram embasados em diferentes delineamentos experimentais, seja pela utilização de planejamento fatorial fracionado ou projeto de mistura. Para o metoprolol, fármaco de alta solubilidade, foram produzidas formulações de liberação controlada, sendo a estratégia dividida em três etapas: (I) Produção de minicomprimidos revestidos, nos quais foram avaliadas diferentes combinações do polímero modulador de liberação; (II) otimização do perfil de liberação do fármaco, com avaliação de misturas das formulações produzidas na primeira etapa; (III) Processo de extrusão a quente, no qual diferentes proporções de fármaco e polímero hidrofóbico foram avaliadas. Para os fármacos hidroclorotiazida e olmesartana medoxomila, ambos de baixa solubilidade, a estratégia adotada foi a incorporação de uma dispersão dos fármacos e agentes solubilizantes em grânulos inertes obtidos por extrusão/revestimento. Adicionalmente, também foram produzidas formulações por extrusão a quente de diferentes proporções destes fármacos em polímero hidrofílico. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, foi possível obter formulações de minicomprimidos e grânulos com perfil de dissolução satisfatório, semelhantes aos apresentados pelos medicamentos adotados como referência. Em relação à extrusão a quente foi possível avaliar a influência do processo e polímeros empregados no perfil de dissolução dos grânulos produzidos. / Multiparticulate systems are dosage forms in which dose is divided into small functional units presenting some advantages over monolithic conventional systems. The objective of this work was developing multiparticulate formulations for oral use containing antihypertensive drugs to be used in association. The thesis is divided into six issues, been first presented a literature review about physical characterization of multiparticulate systems. Granulometric analysis, morphology, density, porosity, mechanical strength and disintegration are the most used physical characterization tests, enabling formulator knowing the major impact factors related to raw materials and manufacturing process in the performance of the produced formulations. The other issues present the development of the multiparticulate systems based on different statistical experimental design, as fractional factorial design or mixture project. For metoprolol, a highly soluble drug, controlled release formulations were obtained, and the strategy was divided into three steps: (I) coated minitablets production, where different combinations of the controlled release polymer were analyzed; (II) drug release profile optimization, evaluating formulations mixtures produced in the first step; (III) hot melt extrusion process, where different drug: hydrophobic polymer ratios were evaluated. For hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan medoxomil, both low soluble drugs, the strategy was incorporating a dispersion containing the drugs and solubilizing agents in inert granules obtained by extrusion/coating processes. Additionally, formulations containing different ratios of these drugs and hydrophilic polymers were produced by hot melt extrusion. According to the results, it was possible to obtain minitablets and granules with good dissolution profile, similar to the reference products. Regarding to hot melt extrusion, it was possible to evaluate the influence of process and polymers used in the dissolution profile of the produced granules.

Parmi les procédés de fabrication continue, l’extrusion par fusion à chaud est une technique dont l’intérêt dans le domaine pharmaceutique est grandissant. Ce procédé permet la formation des dispersions solides des substances actives au sein des matrices polymériques ou lipidiques. En fonction de l’excipient et de la substance active, cela peut être largement utilisé pour la conception des systèmes: (i) pour une libération immédiate, (ii) pour une libération modifiée et (iii) pour le masquage de goût. Les systèmes à libération modifiée sont des dispositifs intéressants qui permettent d’améliorer la biodisponibilité de la substance active, son efficacité ainsi que l’observance des patients. En fonction de la nature de l’excipient, différents systèmes avec des mécanismes de libération variés peuvent être produit, notamment des matrices inerte, érodable ou gonflante. Le poly éthylène oxide est un polymère semi- cristallin et hydrophile qui peut être utilisé pour la libération contrôlée. Son point de fusion compris entre 63 et 67 °C le rend adapté pour l’extrusion. Surtout, ses capacités de gonflement permettent d’administrer la substance active de façon contrôlée en fonction du poids moléculaire du poly éthylène oxide. Les objectifs de ce travail sont (i) d’étudier l’impact des paramètres critiques du procédé (température d’extrusion et vitesse des vis d’extrudeuse) sur le profil de libération de la substance active, (ii) de déterminer l’impact des paramètres de formulations (poids moléculaire du poly éthylène oxide, charge et type de la substance active) sur le profil de libération de la substance active et (iii) d’évaluer des formes galéniques solides conçues par le procédé d’extrusion à celui de la compression directe. Il a été montré que la variation de la température d’extrusion et de la vitesse des vis altérait l’apparence de l’extrudat et ainsi la distribution de la substance active au sein de l’extrudat. Il s’est avéré dans notre étude que la libération de la substance active n’était pas particulièrement affectée par ces changements de température et vitesse de vis de l’extrudeuse. De plus, cette étude a permis de fixer les paramètres pour les projets suivants: température 100 °C ; vitesse des vis 30 rpm ; longueur de la forme galénique 1 cm. Des extrudats de poly ethylène oxide contenant 10 % de théophylline et du poly éthylène oxide de 100 à 7000 kDa ont été utilisés dans ce travail. Il a été observé que lorsque le poids moléculaire du poly ethylène oxide augmente de 100 à 600 kDa, la libération en substance active diminue de façon importante alors qu’une augmentation jusqu’à 7000 kDa ne diminue que légèrement la libération. Des études du gonflement ont montré que ce phénomène corrélait aux variations de volume de la partie opaque de l’extrudat (gel non transparent et cœur solide). / Among continuous manufacturing processes, hot melt extrusion is a technique with growing interest in the pharmaceutical field. This process enables the formation of solid dispersions of many drugs within a polymeric or lipidic carrier. Hot melt extrusion can be widely used for different issues using the appropriate carrier and drug. Here are the mostly used concepts in pharmaceutical solid dosage forms: (i) immediate release, (ii) modified release and (iii) taste masking. Modified release systems have been taken into account to be very interesting devices for the improvement of drug- bioavailability, drug- efficacy as well as the patient compliance. Various systems with different release mechanisms can be manufactured, depending on the nature of the carrier (inert, erodible, and swelling matrices). Poly ethylene oxide is a semi crystalline and hydrophilic polymer which can be used to control drug delivery. The poly ethylene oxide melting point ranging from 63 to 67 °C makes it suitable for hot melt extrusion. Importantly, the swelling capacities of the hydrophilic poly ethylene oxide matrices are able to deliver drug in a time controlled manner, in respect of the poly ethylene oxide molecular weights. The purposes of this work were (i) to study the impact of critical process parameters (extrusion temperature and screw speed) on the drug release behavior, (ii) to determine the impact of formulation parameters (poly ethylene oxide molecular weight, nature of drug and drug loading) on drug release kinetics, and (iii) to evaluate solid dosage forms prepared by hot melt extrusion versus direct compression. Interestingly, the variation of the extrusion temperature and the screw speed leads to the altering of the extrudate appearance and thus the distribution of drug into the extrudate. However, this changing has not influenced the drug release remarkably. Thus, this study was useful to set the parameters for the following projects (temperature 100 °C; screw speed 30 rpm; dosage form size 1 cm). Poly ethylene oxide hot melt extrudates containing 10 % theophylline and based on 100 - 7,000 kDa poly ethylene oxide are used for this thesis. Importantly, the drug release decreased substantially with the increase of the poly ethylene oxide molecular weight from 100 to 600 kDa. However, further increasing of the molecular weights leads to only a slight decrease in the release rate. Swelling studies have shown that this phenomenon correlated with the change in volume of the opaque part of the extrudates (non-transparent gel and solid core).

« Revoluflex » est un procédé de contre-collage de films plastiques par l'intermédiaire d'une fine couche d'adhésif thermofusible. Dans ce procédé, l'adhésif fondu est extrudé à travers une filière plate (entrefer ~ 1 mm) puis étiré dans l'air sur une très courte distance (~ 1 mm) à des taux d'étirage très importants (Dr>100) et enfin déposé sur le film plastique primaire. Une pompe à vide, placée au-dessous du film extrudé, permet de stabiliser le procédé et d'empêcher l'admission de bulles d'air entre le film primaire et l'adhésif. Un film plastique secondaire est ensuite déposé sur le film primaire pour former le film complexe. En fonction des paramètres du procédé, plusieurs défauts sont observés. Par exemple, on observe dans certaines conditions des surépaisseurs périodiques dans la couche d'adhésif qui s'apparentent à une instabilité d'étirage appelée Draw Resonance. D'autres défauts qui correspondent plutôt à des déchirures dans le film adhésif sont également observés. Ces défauts représentent un obstacle pour le développement de ce procédé innovant et donc l'enjeu de cette étude consiste à comprendre l'origine de ces défauts afin de pouvoir les supprimer ou, au moins, en différer l'apparition.Pour ce faire, ces défauts ont tout d'abord été caractérisés et leur apparition a été quantifiée en fonction des paramètres du procédé et de la rhéologie de différentes formulations d'adhésif.Des modèles de complexité croissante, tant au niveau de la description cinématique de l'écoulement que de la loi de comportement du polymère, ont été développés. Des modèles membrane Newtonien et viscoélastique à largeur constante où un différentiel de pression est appliqué entre les deux faces du film extrudé constituent une première approche théorique qui rend compte de l'effet de la pompe à vide. La méthode de stabilité linéaire a été utilisée pour prédire le phénomène d'instabilité périodique en fonction du comportement rhéologique et des paramètres du procédé. Notre étude a montré que les résultats de ces modèles membrane sont très influencés par les conditions initiales de l'écoulement. Comme l'hypothèse membrane n'est plus valide à de très courtes distances d'étirage, nous avons développé deux modèles 2D Newtonien qui rendent compte à la fois de l'écoulement dans la filière et au cours de l'étirage. Le premier modèle symétrique ne prend pas en compte l'effet de la pompe à vide mais et a été résolu avec deux approches différentes : une méthode de suivi d'interface couplée à la méthode de stabilité linéaire et une méthode de simulation directe par capture d'interface (méthode Level-Set). Nous avons montré que ces deux méthodes permettent d'obtenir la même solution stationnaire et les mêmes résultats de stabilité. Le deuxième modèle prend en compte le différentiel de pression et a été résolu uniquement par la technique de suivi d'interface couplée à la méthode de stabilité linéaire. Ce modèle 2D permet également de trancher entre les différentes conditions initiales testées avec le modèle membrane.Ces modèles permettent d'expliquer plusieurs phénomènes observés expérimentalement comme l'effet stabilisant du différentiel de pression et de la courte distance d'étirage. De plus, ils mettent en évidence un résultat paradoxal qui est l'effet stabilisant du taux d'étirage dans certaines conditions opératoires. Ils montrent enfin que le différentiel de pression provoque une contrainte très élevée au niveau de la lèvre inférieure de la filière, ce qui peut être une explication des déchirures observés dans la couche de colle. / “Revoluflex” is an innovative laminating process consisting in bonding two plastic films with a thin layer of hot melt adhesive. The molten adhesive is extruded through a flat die (gap ~ 1 mm). Then, it is stretched into the air at very high draw ratio (Dr> 100) over a very short distance (~ 1 mm) and set down on the primary plastic film. A vacuum pump, located beneath the extruded film, stabilizes the process and prevents air bubble intake between the primary and the adhesive film. A secondary plastic film is then laid on the coated primary film to give a laminate. Many defects can be observed as a function of the process parameters such as wavelike instabilities characterized by periodical sustained oscillations in the hot melt adhesive layer. This instability is similar to the “Draw Resonance” instability encountered with classical processes involving the stretching of a molten polymer. Other defects looking like small bubbles, cracks or rips in the adhesive layer are also observed. These defects hinder commercial deployment of the process. The aim of this study is there to understand their origins in order to remove them or at least delay their onset.These defects have first been characterized and their appearance was quantified according to process parameters and adhesive rheology. Several theoretical models of increasing complexity, in terms of flow kinematics and polymer rheology, have been developed. Newtonian and Viscoelastic constant width membrane models involving a pressure differential between the two sides of the extruded film represent a first theoretical approach that accounts for the vacuum pump effect. The linear stability method was used to investigate the influence of adhesive rheological behavior and process parameters on the onset of periodic instabilities. It was shown that the results were highly dependent on the initial flow conditions at die exit. Since the membrane assumption is not valid for very short stretching distances, we developed two Newtonian 2D models accounting for both extrusion and drawing steps. The first one is a symmetric model that does not account for the vacuum pump effect. It was solved using two different approaches: a front-tracking method coupled with linear stability analysis and a direct numerical simulation with interface capturing method (Level set method). It was shown that both methods lead to the same stationary solution and the same stability results. The second model accounts for the pressure differential and it was solved using only the front-tracking method. This latter 2D model enables to check the validity of the initial flow conditions of the membrane model.These models allow us to explain several experimental phenomena such as the stabilizing effect of the pressure differential and the short stretching distance. In addition, they help explaining experimental features which contradict the classical literature on drawing instabilities such as the stabilizing effect of increasing the draw ratio under certain operating conditions. Finally, they show that the pressure differential induces a high stress at the bottom lip of the extrusion die, which may clarify the cracks and rips observed in the adhesive layer.

Yes / Several contributions in answering granulation challenges including the use of computer simulation and well thought out experimental analyses are being researched. Using a twin screw granulator (TSG) by design of experiments (DoE), comparisons on 1) equipment similarities i.e., continuous and 2) shear forces, are made to previous literature on continuous equipment and a Cyclomix. This study proposes that equipment specific DoE, better explains the contribution of parameters than investigating an identified parameter from the experimental findings from a specific equipment. Granule strength and structure are presented together with the contribution of process parameters, speed, temperature, and binder content. Seeded structures are present in all but the Extrudomix. Longer residence times within the Cyclomix facilitates seeded structures. Granule crushing strengths are higher in TSG than all other continuous equipment. Optimum condition for the formation of stronger granules with least variation is around 65.4 °C. / The authors would like to acknowledge the support from the CCIP grant (Collaboration, Capacity and IP Development) fund from the University of Bradford for ordering cunsumables and equipment.

Hot-melt extruded solid dispersion technique is increasingly employed to improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. The technique relies on the enhanced solubility of the amorphous form of the drug compared to its crystalline counterpart. These systems however are thermodynamically unstable. This means that the drug crystallises with time. Therefore, efforts to measure the stability of these systems over the life span of the product are crucial. This study focused on investigating the use of Hansen Solubility Parameters to quantify polymer-drug interaction and to predict the stability of solid dispersions. This was achieved through a systematic review of hot-melt extruded solid dispersion literature. The study also investigated the use of a combined mechanical and rheological model to characterise the physicochemical and release behaviour of three solid dispersion immediately after preparation and after storage for one month at 40oC or three months at room temperature. Results revealed that the total solubility parameter |ΔбT| was able to predict the stability of the systems for more than 4 months using a cut-off point of 3 MPa-1 with a negative predictive value of 0.9. This was followed by ΔбD with a cut-off point of 1.5 MPa- 1. Moreover, Dynamic Mechanical Analyser and shear rheometry data were shown to be more sensitive than Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Powder X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope and Fourier Transform Infrared in detecting crystallisation and the interaction between the drug and the polymer. The Dynamic Mechanical Analyser data were consistent with the dissolution behaviour of the samples when comparing the freshly prepared samples with those after storage. The results highlight the need for a unified characterisation approach and the necessity of verifying the homogeneity of mixing during the extrusion process.

This project utilised a novel solvent-free continuous cocrystallisation (SFCC) method to manufacture pharmaceutical co-crystals. The objectives were to optimize the process towards achieving high co-crystal yields and to understand the behaviour of co-crystals under different conditions. Particular attention was paid to the development of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a process analytical technology (PAT). Twin screw, hot melt extrusion was the base technique of the SFCC process. Changing parameters such as temperature, screw speed and screw geometry was important for improving the co-crystal yield. The level of mixing and shear was directly influenced by the screw geometry, whilst the screw speed was an important parameter for controlling the residence time of the material during hot melt extrusion. Ibuprofen – nicotinamide 1:1 cocrystals and carbamazepine – nicotinamide 1:1 co-crystals were successfully manufactured using the SFCC method. Characterisation techniques were important for this project, and NIR spectroscopy proved to be a convenient, accurate analytical technique for identifying the formation of co-crystals along the extruder barrel. Separate thermal and model shear deformation studies were also carried out to determine the effect of temperature and shear on co-crystal formation for several different pharmaceutical co-crystal pairs. Finally, NIR spectroscopy was used to create two partial least squares regression models, for predicting the 1:1 co-crystal yield of ibuprofen – nicotinamide and carbamazepine – nicotinamide, when in a powder mixture with the respective pure API. It is believed that the prediction models created in this project can be used to facilitate future in-line PAT studies of pharmaceutical co-crystals during different manufacturing processes.

The thrust of this thesis is to study oral solid dosage formulation using hot melt coating method and to use pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation (PK M&S) as a tool that can help to predict pharmacokinetics of a drug in human and the probability of passing various bioequivalence criteria of the formulation based on the PK of the drug. Hot-melt coating using a new method, direct blending, was performed to create immediate and sustained release formulations (IR and SR). This new method was introduced to offer another choice to produce IR and SR drug delivery formulations using single and double coating layer of waxes onto sugar beads and/or drug loaded pellets. Twelve waxes were applied to coat sugar cores. The harder the wax the slower the drug was released from single coated beads. The wax coating can be deposited up to 28% of the weight of the core bead with 58% drug loading efficiency in the coating The cores were coated with single or double wax layers containing acetaminophen. Carnauba wax coated beads dissolved in approximately 6 hrs releasing 80% of loaded drug. However, when covered with another layer, the drug loaded beads released drug for over 20 hrs. When drug loaded pellets were used as cores, 33-58% drug loading was achieved. Double coated pellets exhibited a near zero order drug release for up to 16 hrs. Hot melt coating by direct blending using waxes is a simple process compared to conventional hot melt coating using coating pan or fluid bed coating machines. It offers an alternative way of making immediate, sustained drug release (IR, SR) and modified release (IR+SR) oral dosage forms of drugs which are stable at high temperature (100°C). The pellet-containing-drug coated formulations provide options when higher drug loading is warranted. It is required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that a new modified –release (MR) product or identical generic product be regarded as bioequivalent (BE) to the originators reference drug product. However, there are concerns that current regulatory criteria are not sufficient when evaluating bioequivalence (BE) for many MR products, and additional metrics for BE assessment of the products should be applied to ensure therapeutic equivalence. This study used pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation (M&S) to investigate 1) the probability of BE occurring between the MR test and reference products 2) the rates of false positive and true negative of the BE test; and 3) the estimation of the sample size in pivotal BE studies; all of which when partial area under the curves (pAUCs) were applied as additional BE criteria. Reference data of two MR forms of methylphenydate HCl (MPH) were simulated and obtained from literature (formulation Q and Metadate CD, respectively). Monte Carlo simulations were performed to simulate the test drug concentration profiles and BE assessment was carried out utilizing the mean (method 1) and individual concentration time curves (method 2). For formulation Q, adding pAUC₀₋[subscript Tmax] to current BE criteria reduced the possibility of passing BE from approximately 98% to 85%, with a true negative rate of 5%. The earlier the time points used to determine for pAUC before Tmax, the lower the chance of passing BE for the test product. The possibility of passing BE varied and depended on the coefficient of variations (CV) of T[subscript lag], K[subscript a] and K[subscript e] and that considerable variability in the parameters affected the earlier segments of the drug concentration profile curves more. Similar drug concentration time profiles between the test and reference products is recommended to ensure bioequivalence occurs with a reasonable subject sample size. A similar scenario was seen when Metadate CD was used as the reference product. PK M&S can help provide appropriate additional metrics to assure the BE test is a better tool ensuring therapeutic equivalence for MR products with little negative impact to generic manufacturers. Predictions can also be made about the required sample size and the chances of passing BE with any addition to the conventional three criteria for the test product. PK M&S was also used to predict drug concentrations of levofloxacin in tissue. Levofloxacin has been widely used in clinical practice as an effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial, however tendonitis and tendon rupture have been reported with increasing use of this agent. Here, these incidents will be assessed by investigating pharmacokinetic behavior of the compound to see if they are related to drug's tissue disposition. The PK model for levofloxacin was established. Mean concentration time profiles of single or multiple dosing of 500 mg levofloxacin following oral and IV infusion administration were simulated. Monte Carlo simulation was used to simulate the drug concentration time profiles in plasma (compartment 1) and tissue (compartment 2) after seven dosing regimens while varying the drug's elimination and distribution rates to see the effect of changing those rates have on the drug accumulation in tissue. Monte Carlo Simulation shows that low elimination rates affect the drug concentration in plasma and tissue significantly with the level in plasma rising up to 35 μg/mL at day 7. A normal elimination rate together with escalation of distribution rates from plasma to tissue could increase the tissue concentration after 7 doses to 9.5 µg/mL, a value that is more than twice that of normal. PK M&S can be used as an effective tool to evaluate drug concentration in different compartments (plasma and tissues, for example). The unexpectedly high concentration values in some cases may explain, at least in part, the reason of tendinopathy occurs in the clinical setting. / Graduation date: 2012 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from June 7, 2012 - June 7, 2014

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No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese - Luís Antônio Dantas Silva - 2017.pdf: 3852477 bytes, checksum: 3d70f0bfde2edb9fbe3baf236d1c369c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-07 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / Introduction: Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) have been successfully used as carriers for poorly water-soluble drugs, because they can effectively solubilize them, as well as stimulate their intestinal lymphatic transport, reduce first-pass metabolism, and inhibit efflux proteins present in intestinal cells. All these effects together contribute to the improvement in the oral bioavailability of the incorporated drugs. The preparation of solid self-emulsifying systems is associated with additional advantages, such as increased stability, ease of transport, storage, and administration. Hot-melt extrusion is a technique that has attracted great interest in the pharmaceutical industry in recent years for enabling continuous production of solid dosage forms, with high productivity and low cost. In addition, it can be performed without the use of solvents. Despite this, there are no reports in the literature about the use of this technique in the production of solid self-emulsifying systems. Objectives: The objective of the present work was to perform preformulation studies and to develop solid self-microemulsifying systems containing carvedilol by hot-melt extrusion, aiming at improving the dissolution of this drug. Methods: Initially, carvedilol solubility and compatibility in different lipid excipients were determined, respectively, by the equilibrium solubility method and thermoanalytical, spectroscopic and isothermal stress techniques. An analytical method was developed and validated to carvedilol quantitation by high performance liquid chromatography. Next, the selected excipients were used in the construction of a ternary phase diagram, in order to determine the best ratio for SMEDDS production. Finally, the selected liquid formulation was mixed with a polymeric system consisting of an enteric polymer (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate) and other excipients. The resulting mixture was extruded in a twin screw hot-melt extruder. Box-Behnken factorial design was used to evaluate the effects of formulation (carvedilol concentration) and process variables (temperature and recirculation time) on the release of the drug (in 0.1 M HCl and phosphate buffer pH 6.8) and redispersion of the microemulsion from the solid system. The extrudates’ morphology was evaluated by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and the physical state of the drug in the preparation was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction. Results: Preformulation studies showed that carvedilol is incompatible with the lauric acid, oleic acid, Gelucire® 44/14, Capmul® MCM, canola oil, castor oil, polyethoxylated castor oil, corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil and safflower oil. On the other hand, carvedilol was stable in mixtures with sesame oil, Plurol® Isostearique, Transcutol HP®, stearic acid, palmitic acid, Compritol® 888 ATO, Emulium® 22 and with the mixture of capric/caprilic triglycerides (CCT). The CCT showed to be the best solvent for carvedilol (3.93 ± 0.20 mg mL-1), among the compatible lipid excipients. Thus, the mixture of CCT, Plurol® and Transcutol HP® was selected for preparation of the self-emulsifying systems containing carvedilol. The phase diagram showed that the ratio of 50/37.5/12.5 (oil/surfactant/cosurfactant) resulted in the best parameters of self-emulsification (time, clarity and stability) average size (140.04 ± 7.22 nm) and size distribution (0.219 ± 0.011). These values were not significantly altered by the inclusion of carvedilol in the mixture (139.06 ± 7.28 nm and 0.221 ± 0.015). This self-microemulsifying concentrate with polymeric carriers were then extruded and the resulting product was a compact matrix. Factorial design showed that the drug concentration, temperature and recirculation time significantly influenced the drug release in different media, as well as the reconstitution efficiency of the microemulsion. Carvedilol release in acid medium was in the range of 12 to 25% and it was significantly affected by the temperature and recirculation time. The polymeric matrix was able to prevent redispersion of the system in acid. In turn, drug released was significantly affected by drug concentration in pH 6.8, ranging from 43 to 85%. Drug release in this medium was primarily affected by the concentration of the drug in the formulation. The reconstitution efficiency was significantly affected by the circulation time and process temperature, ranging from 55 to 100% in pH 6.8. Average size (145 to 164 nm) and PdI (0.209 to 0.262) were not significantly affected by the studied variables Conclusion: Self-microemulsifying extrudates were prepared from the lipid concentrate selected from the preformulation studies. The solid systems allowed a site-specific microemulsion redispersion, thus presenting potential for lymphatic absorption of carvedilol. The experimental results presented here are the first report about the production of solid self-microemulsifying systems containing carvedilol by hot-melt extrusion. / Introdução: Sistemas automicroemulsionáveis de liberação de fármacos (SMEDDS) têm sido empregados, com sucesso, como carreadores de fármacos pouco solúveis em água, pois conseguem solubilizá-los eficientemente, assim como podem estimular seu transporte linfático intestinal, reduzindo o metabolismo de primeira passagem e inibindo as proteínas de efluxo presentes nas células intestinais. Todos esses efeitos em conjunto contribuem para a melhora na biodisponibilidade oral dos fármacos incorporados. O preparo de sistemas automicroemulsionáveis sólidos está associado a vantagens adicionais, tais como o aumento da estabilidade, facilidade de transporte e armazenamento e maior conveniência de administração. A termoextrusão é uma técnica que tem atraído grande interesse na indústria farmacêutica nos últimos anos por possibilitar a produção contínua, com alta produtividade e baixo custo de formas sólidas, sendo ainda executada sem uso de solventes. Apesar disto, não existem relatos na literatura sobre o emprego dessa técnica na produção de sistemas automicroemulsionáveis sólidos. Objetivos: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar estudo de pré-formulação e, em seguida, desenvolver termoextrusados automicroemulsionáveis contendo carvedilol, visando a melhora na dissolução deste fármaco. Métodos: Inicialmente, a solubilidade e compatibilidade do carvedilol em diferentes adjuvantes lipídicos foram determinadas, respectivamente, pelo método de solubilidade no equilíbrio e pelo emprego de técnicas termoanalíticas, espectroscópicas e de estresse isotérmico. A quantificação do carvedilol nestes estudos foi realizada por cromatografia a líquido de alta eficiência e, para tanto, o método analítico foi desenvolvido e validado. Em seguida, os adjuvantes selecionados foram utilizados na construção de um diagrama de fases ternário, no intuito de determinar a melhor proporção dos mesmos para o preparo de SMEDDS. Por fim, a formulação líquida selecionada foi misturada a um sistema polimérico constituído por polímero entérico (acetosuccinato de hidroxipropilmetilcelulose) e outros adjuvantes, sendo a mistura resultante processada por termoextrusão em extrusor de parafuso duplo. Planejamento fatorial do tipo Box-Behnken foi empregado para avaliar os efeitos de variáveis de formulação (concentração de carvedilol) e de processo (temperatura e tempo de recirculação) sobre a liberação do fármaco (em meio HCl 0,1 M e em tampão fosfato pH 6,8) e sobre a reconstituição da microemulsão a partir do sistema sólido. A morfologia dos termoextrusados foi avaliada por microscopia óptica e por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e o estado físico do fármaco na preparação foi investigado por calorimetria exploratória diferencial e difração de raios-X de pó. Resultados: Os estudos de pré-formulação mostraram que o carvedilol é incompatível com os adjuvantes ácido láurico, ácido oleico, Gelucire® 44/14, Capmul® MCM, óleo de canola, óleo de rícino, óleo de rícino polietoxilado, óleo de milho, óleo de soja, óleo de girassol e óleo de cártamo. Por outro lado, o carvedilol se mostrou estável nas misturas com o óleo de gergelim, Plurol® Isostearique, Transcutol HP®, ácido esteárico, ácido palmítico, Compritol® 888 ATO, Emulium® 22 e com a mistura de triglicerídeos dos ácidos cáprico e caprílico (TAC). O TAC mostrou ainda ser o melhor solvente para o carvedilol (3,93 ± 0,20 mg/mL), dentre os materiais oleosos compatíveis. Dessa forma, a mistura de TAC, Plurol® e Transcutol HP® foi selecionada para o preparo de sistemas automicroemulsionáveis. O diagrama de fases mostrou que a proporção 50/37,5/12,5 (óleo/tensoativo/cotensoativo) resultou nos melhores parâmetros de autoemulsificação (tempo, limpidez e estabilidade), tamanho médio (140,04 ± 7,22 nm) e distribuição de tamanho (0,219 ± 0,011). Esses valores não foram significativamente alterados pela inclusão do carvedilol na mistura (139,06 ± 7,28 nm e 0,221 ± 0,015). O concentrado automicroemulsionável, adicionado aos polímeros, contendo carvedilol foi então termoextrusado e o produto resultante apresentou matriz compacta. A concentração do fármaco, a temperatura de processamento e o tempo de recirculação influenciaram significativamente o perfil de liberação do fármaco nos diferentes meios, bem como a eficiência de reconstituição da microemulsão. A liberação do carvedilol em meio ácido esteve na faixa entre 12 e 25%, sendo significativamente afetada pela temperatura e tempo de recirculação. Em meio ácido, a matriz polimérica foi capaz de evitar a reconstituição da microemulsão. Por sua vez, em meio pH 6,8, a liberação do carvedilol foi maior e variou entre 43 e 85%, sendo afetada pela concentração do fármaco na formulação. Nesse meio, a eficiência de reconstituição foi significativamente afetada pelo tempo de recirculação e pela temperatura, apresentando eficiência de reconstituição na faixa entre 55 e 100%. O tamanho médio (145 a 164 nm) e PdI (0,209 a 0,262) das microemulsões não tiveram seus valores afetados significativamente pelas variáveis estudadas. Conclusão: Termoextrusados automicroemulsionáveis foram preparados a partir do concentrado lipídico composto por adjuvantes selecionados nos estudos de pré-formulação. Os sistemas sólidos conferiram reconstituição sítio-específica da microemulsão, apresentando assim potencial para proporcionar absorção linfática do carvedilol. Os achados experimentais aqui apresentados são o primeiro relato da obtenção de sistemas automicroemulsionáveis sólidos contendo carvedilol pela técnica de termoextrusão.

En los últimos años, son numerosas las iniciativas de investigación dirigidas hacia la mejora de las propiedades adhesivas en materiales poliméricos. En el sector de automoción es muy importante que los films poliméricos puedan ser unidos entre sí a materiales de distinta naturaleza. El principal problema asociado al uso de estos materiales es que son substratos con baja energía superficial y precisan un tratamiento superficial para aumentar la mojabilidad de sus superficies y obtener unas buenas uniones adhesivas, un buen tintado y la aplicación de recubrimientos y lamiados duraderos. En el caso de la adhesión, el objetivo de los tratamientos superficiales es el incremento de la afinidad entre la superficie de los adherentes y la superficie de los adhesivos. De esta forma se logra optimizar el rendimiento de las uniones adhesivas para la obtención de substratos con buenas propiedades adhesivas, condición indispensable para conseguir laminados con aplicaciones técnicas. En este trabajo se pretende mejorar la humectabilidad de los films poliméricos de LDPE a través del tratamiento de plasma por descarga de corona, para la obtención de laminados con espumas de polietileno mediante procesos de laminación con adhesivos "Hot-Melt" con aplicaciones técnicas para el sector de automoción. La mejora de la humectabilidad se ha evaluado a través del estudio de los ángulos de contacto con diferentes líquidos de medida en función de las potencias de trabajo utilizadas. La caracterización de la activación superficial como consecuencia del tratamiento se realiza a través de la espectroscopía infrarroja por transformada de Fourier con Reflectancia Total Atenuada (FTIR-ATR) y la espectroscopía fotoelectrónica de rayos X (XPS) que permiten identificar los fenómenos de funcionalización de la superficie. De forma paralela, se identifica y cuantifica el fenómeno de abrasión asociado a la agresividad del tratamiento sobre la superficie del film polimérico por medio de la microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM) y la microscopía de fuerza atómica (AFM). De forma complementaria se determina la homogeneidad del tratamiento en función de la amplitud y del tiempo (reproducibilidad). Además, las muestras tratadas con plasma se someten a un proceso de envejecimiento para estimar la durabilidad del tratamiento. / Pascual Payá, M. (2011). Investigación sobre la mejora de la humectabilidad de films poliméricos de polietileno de baja densidad (LDPE) mediante plasma por descarga corona. Optimización de laminados con espumas de polietileno mediante procesos de laminación con adhesivos Hot-Melt para aplicaciones técnicas en el sector de automoción [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/11297 / Palancia