Capture Efficiency of Biocompatible Magnetic Nanoparticles in Arterial Flow: A Computer Simulation for Magnetic Drug Targeting

Abstract

The primary limitation of magnetic drug targeting (MDT) relates to the strength of an external magnetic field which decreases with increasing distance. Small nanoparticles (NPs) displaying superparamagnetic behaviour are also required in order to reduce embolization in the blood vessel. The small NPs, however, make it difficult to vector NPs and keep them in the desired location. The aims of this work were to investigate parameters influencing the capture efficiency of the drug carriers in mimicked arterial flow. In this work, we computationally modelled and evaluated capture efficiency in MDT with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.4. The studied parameters were (i) magnetic nanoparticle size, (ii) three classes of magnetic cores (Fe3O4, Fe2O3, and Fe), and (iii) the thickness of biocompatible coating materials (Au, SiO2, and PEG). It was found that the capture efficiency of small particles decreased with decreasing size and was less than 5 % for magnetic particles in the superparamagnetic regime. The thickness of non-magnetic coating materials did not significantly influence the capture efficiency of MDT. It was difficult to capture small drug carriers (D<200 nm) in the arterial flow. We suggest that the MDT with high-capture efficiency can be obtained in small vessels and low-blood velocities such as micro-capillary vessels.

Simulation of a 2D Magnetic Drug Targeting Model

“…Figure 7 shows that the maximum velocity is obtained immediately under the magnet. This figure confirms the published results [3,4,15] and shows that the velocity reaches its peak at the point beneath the magnet (-0.05; -0.01) when the heart beat (t= 1.25) is at maximum blood throughput. The influence of the magnet becomes more important as it pulls the magnetized blood more rapidly and efficiently as time goes by (the maximum velocity Figure 7.…”

“…In this method, magnetic carrier nanoparticles loaded with drug molecules are injected into the blood flow as a dilution and attracted towards the targeted region in the body with help of a local magnetic field [3]. With this technique the efficiency of drug absorption increases and the other cells of body will not be affected [4].…”

“…The biocompatible coating materials are Au, PEG, or SiO2. Based on the biokinetics of particles, a drug carrier ranging from 10-200 nm in diameter is optimal for in vivo delivery, as the small particles (D<10 nm) escape by renal clearance and the large ones (D>200 nm) are sequestered by the reticuloendothelial system of the spleen and liver [3].…”

“…MDT is growing due to speedy progress in the growth of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles, which are used for chemo, radio, and gene-therapy at a tumour site [1]. It is also shown by various studies that MDT is relatively safe and effective method for targeting drugs to a localized region [1,2,[3][4]. Previous work on magnetic particles transport in the vasculature for MDT is summarized in many review papers [6][7][8][9].…”

Development Status in the Meadow of Nanostructure Magnetic Drug Delivery System and Its Promising Applications

“…Injecting of drug-coated with magnetic particles (100-250 nm size) like polymer capsule, polymeric micelle, microsphere, liposomes, iron oxide nanoparticles, polymeric matrix, resealed erythrocytes; into a blood vessel and then apply a magnetic field externally near diseased site [4][5]. The polymers used for the formulation of mentioned delivery carrier system should be compatible, non-toxicity, nonantigenicity and biodegradable.…”