Magnetically-triggered Nanocomposite Membranes: a Versatile Platform for Triggered Drug Release

TL;DR

This paper presents magnetically-triggered nanocomposite membranes capable of reversible, tunable drug release with reproducible performance, suitable for delivering a wide range of drug molecules on demand.

Contribution

The study introduces a versatile nanocomposite membrane platform that enables controlled, reversible drug release triggered by magnetic fields, with tunable release rates and broad molecular weight applicability.

Findings

Reversible on-off drug release controlled by magnetic fields.

Tunable drug doses by adjusting nanogel phase transition and membrane parameters.

Broad molecular weight range (500-40,000 Da) drugs delivered effectively.

Abstract

Drug delivery devices based on nanocomposite membranes containing thermoresponsive nanogels and superparamagnetic nanoparticles have been demonstrated to provide reversible, on-off drug release upon application (and removal) of an oscillating magnetic field. The dose of drug delivered can be tuned by engineering the phase transition temperature of the nanogel, the loading of nanogels in the membrane, and the membrane thickness, allowing for the delivery of drugs over several orders of magnitude of release rates. The zero-order kinetics of drug release through the membranes permit drug doses from a specific device to be tuned according to the duration of the magnetic field. Drugs over a broad range of molecular weights (500-40,000 Da) can be delivered by the same membrane device. Membrane-to-membrane and cycle-to-cycle reproducibility is demonstrated, suggesting the general utility of these membranes for drug delivery.