Modelling smart drug release with functionally graded materials

Pontrelli, G., Bretti, G. and McGinty, S. (2023) Modelling smart drug release with functionally graded materials. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 164, 107294. (doi: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107294)

Abstract

Functionally graded materials (FGMs), possessing properties that vary smoothly from one region to another, have been receiving increasing attention in recent years, particularly in the aerospace, automotive and biomedical sectors. However, they have yet to reach their full potential. In this paper, we explore the potential of FGMs in the context of drug delivery, where the unique material characteristics offer the potential of fine-tuning drug-release for the desired application. Specifically, we develop a mathematical model of drug release from a thin film FGM, based upon a spatially-varying drug diffusivity. We demonstrate that, depending on the functional form of the diffusivity (related to the material properties) a wide range of drug release profiles may be obtained. Interestingly, the shape of these release profiles are not, in general, achievable from a homogeneous medium with a constant diffusivity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Dr Sean McGinty and Dr Gabriella Bretti acknowledge funding from the Royal Society (Grant number IEC\R2\222058).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mcginty, Dr Sean and Pontrelli, Dr Giuseppe
• Authors: Pontrelli, G., Bretti, G., and McGinty, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: Computers in Biology and Medicine
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0010-4825
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0534
• Published Online: 31 July 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Computers in Biology and Medicine 164:107294
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License