Additive manufacturing platform for customizable drug-releasing IUDs and pharmaceuticals

Using 3D printing to create customizable IUDs that can release multiple drugs in a controlled way, tailored to individual patient needs

Background

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a widely used form of long-acting reversible contraception, valued for their efficacy, low maintenance, and extended duration of action. The field of reproductive healthcare has seen significant growth in the use of IUDs, with millions of women worldwide relying on them for birth control. 
However, despite their popularity, IUDs are associated with several challenges, including side effects such as pain, cramping, and increased menstrual bleeding, which can lead to early removal and reduced patient satisfaction. Furthermore, anatomical differences among patients and evolving therapeutic needs highlight the demand for more personalized, adaptable solutions that can address both contraceptive efficacy and the management of side effects.
Current approaches to IUD design and manufacturing are limited by their reliance on fixed geometries (typically T- or Y-shaped) and the delivery of a single active agent, such as copper or a hormone. These devices are mass-produced in standard sizes, which may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with unique anatomical considerations.
Additionally, the inability to combine multiple therapeutic agents—such as a contraceptive and a pain-relieving drug—within a single device restricts the potential for comprehensive symptom management. Manufacturing processes for conventional IUDs are inflexible, making it difficult to rapidly iterate or customize devices for individual needs. As a result, many users experience suboptimal outcomes, and the lack of personalization and multifunctionality remains a significant unmet need in the field.

Technology description

This technology centers on the creation of customizable intrauterine devices (IUDs) using advanced additive manufacturing techniques such as fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA). The devices are fabricated from a polyalkylene vinyl ester polymer matrix, most commonly polyethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which can be loaded with a range of functional agents including metal nanoparticles (e.g., copper) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (e.g., indomethacin for pain relief). The manufacturing process involves hot-melt extrusion to produce drug-loaded filaments, followed by precise 3D printing to form complex, patient-specific geometries.
These modular IUDs can be tailored in shape, size, and drug composition, enabling controlled, sustained, and simultaneous release of multiple agents. Post-processing steps, such as UV curing, further refine the device by crosslinking hydrogels or sealing drug reservoirs, ensuring stability and efficacy.
What differentiates this technology is its unprecedented level of customization and multifunctionality, addressing limitations of traditional IUDs that are restricted to fixed shapes and single-agent delivery. By leveraging 3D printing, the solution allows for rapid prototyping and on-demand fabrication of IUDs tailored to individual anatomical and therapeutic needs, including the ability to combine contraceptive metals with pharmaceuticals for pain management or infection control. The release profiles of active agents are highly tunable through adjustments in polymer composition, drug loading, and particle size, as validated by extensive in vitro and in vivo studies.
This approach not only optimizes patient outcomes by reducing side effects and improving comfort but also streamlines the development process, reducing costs and enabling rapid iteration. The integration of modular design, multifunctional drug delivery, and patient-specific customization positions this technology as a transformative advancement in reproductive healthcare.

Market

  • Contraceptive devices

Benefits

  • Enables customizable, patient-specific intrauterine devices (IUDs) tailored to individual anatomical and therapeutic needs.
  • Allows simultaneous, controlled, and sustained release of multiple active agents, such as contraceptive copper and pain-relieving indomethacin.
  • Utilizes advanced additive manufacturing techniques (FDM and SLA) for precise fabrication of complex geometries and modular designs.
  • Offers tunable drug release profiles by adjusting polymer composition, drug loading, and particle size for optimized dosing.
  • Reduces manufacturing footprint and energy use through on-demand, rapid production with a short, cost-effective development cycle.
  • Incorporates FDA-approved polymers and biocompatible materials ensuring safety and efficacy demonstrated in preclinical studies.
  • Supports modular device architectures enabling multifunctional, flexible, and scalable IUD designs beyond conventional fixed shapes.

Commercial applications

  • Personalized contraceptive device manufacturing
  • Dual-action pain-relief IUDs
  • Rapid prototyping of drug-eluting implants
  • Customizable multi-drug gynecological devices

Opportunity

These are customizable intrauterine devices produced using additive manufacturing (FDM/SLA). They feature a polyalkylene vinyl ester polymer matrix encapsulating functional compositions like metal nanoparticles (e.g., copper) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (e.g., indomethacin). Designed for controlled, sustained, and simultaneous multi-agent release, their patient-specific geometries and tunable profiles are achieved via precise material composition and printing parameters.
Patent Information:
Direct Link:
https://canberra-ip.technologypublisher.com/tech/Additive_manufacturing_platf orm_for_customizable_drug-releasing_IUDs_and_pharmaceuticals
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For Information, Contact:
Gazell Call
Senior Intellectual Property Specialist
University of Texas at Austin
gazell.call@austin.utexas.edu