The flow of magnetic nanoparticles in magnetic drug targeting

Abstract

Magnetic drug targeting has been explored by an in vitro study of the deposition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated magnetic carrier nanoparticles (MCNPs) in a tube under the influence of an externally applied magnetic field. Experiments and simulations show a steady decrease in the retention of MCNPs with increasing flow rate and weaker magnetic field strength. The retention of MCNPs has been significantly influenced by the fluid flow behaviour resulting from the position and shape of the magnet, magnetic properties and size of the MCNPs, and the magnetic field strength. Under strong magnetic fields, the MCNPs tend to creep along the wall of the tube and undergo high shear before reaching the targeted region. These results highlight the importance of choosing the region of MCNP injection, magnetic field strength and, the magnetic properties and size of the MCNPs to minimize the loss of the drug.