Transport characteristics of nanoparticle-based ferrofluids in a gel model of the brain

• Published in: International journal of nanomedicine Vol. 4; no. default; pp. 9 - 26
• Main Authors: Basak, Soubir, Brogan, David, Dietrich, Hans, Ritter, Rogers, Dacey, Ralph G, Biswas, Pratim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Taylor & Francis Ltd 01.01.2009; Dove Press; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Animals; Brain Chemistry - radiation effects; Computer Simulation; Diffusion - radiation effects; drug delivery; gel-brain model; Gels - chemistry; Gels - radiation effects; magnetic agglomeration; Magnetic fields; Magnetics; Mice; Models, Chemical; Models, Neurological; nanoparticle ferrofluid; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Original Research; Solutions - chemistry; Solutions - radiation effects; transport
• ISSN: 1178-2013; 1176-9114; 1178-2013
• DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s4114

A current advance in nanotechnology is the selective targeting of therapeutics by external magnetic field-guided delivery. This is an important area of research in medicine. The use of magnetic forces results in the formation of agglomerated structures in the field region. The transport characteristics of these agglomerated structures are explored. A nonintrusive method based on in situ light-scattering techniques is used to characterize the velocity of such particles in a magnetic field gradient. A transport model for the chain-like agglomerates is developed based on these experimental observations. The transport characteristics of magnetic nanoparticle drug carriers are then explored in gel-based simulated models of the brain. Results of such measurements demonstrate decreased diffusion of magnetic nanoparticles when placed in a high magnetic field gradient.