Analysis of Magnetic Particle Capture in the Microvasculature

摘要

A model is presented for predicting the capture of therapeutic magnet nanoparticles in the microvasculature. The particles are functionalized with surface-bound anticancer agents and directed to malignant tissue using an applied magnetic field. The model takes into account the dominant magnetic and fluidic forces on the particles. The magnetic force is predicted using a linear magnetization model for the magnetic response of the particles. The fluidic force is based on Stokes' law wherein the blood viscosity is determined using an empirically-based analytical expression that accounts for blood flow in the microvasculature. The model is demonstrated for a noninvasive magnetic targeting system. The equations of motion are solved numerically to predict particle transport and capture for this system, and the analysis demonstrates the viability of using noninvasive magnetophoretic control to effect drug delivery to tumors that are within a few centimeters of the field source. The model presented here enables rapid parametric analysis of system performance, and is well-suited for the optimization of invasive or noninvasive drug delivery systems.