DESIGN, FABRICATION AND EVALUATION OF SS 316 PUNCH DIE SET FOR ACCURATE SIZING OF SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE OCULAR INSERTS

Objective: Objective of the study was to design, fabricate & evaluate punch die set for accurate sizing of sodium cromoglycate ocular inserts prepared using few polymers and to compare with physico-chemical results of manually sized inserts. Methods: The formulated ocular inserts were sized manually and by using punch die set. Ocular inserts sized by manual cutting & stainless steel 316 (SS 316) punch die set was compared and evaluated for various important physico-chemical parameters. Results: Phenomenal differences were observed in all evaluated parameters like appearance, thickness, drug content and drug release studies. Ocular inserts sized using punch die set had improved appearance, uniform thickness both near the edges & in the center of insert and accurate drug content when compared to ocular inserts that were sized manually. Drug release studies were better for punch die sized inserts as against manually sized inserts. Conclusion: Ocular inserts sized by punch die set was superior when compared to inserts sized manually. The results for evaluated parameters like appearance, thickness, drug content and drug release studies were accurate, uniform and consistent.