On computational fluid dynamics study of magnetic drug targeting

Abstract

Magnetic drug targeting is continuing to draw attention as a potential technique for cancer and tumour treatment. This paper focuses on the development of computational fluid dynamic models for magnetic drug targeting. Magnetic particle capture has been simulated in a 90 coronary artery bend of circular tube for a range of different particle sizes. The magnetic field is produced by a current carrying wire. It has been found that increasing the sizes of magnetic particles increases the capture of particles. Extensions are made on the model to include the effects of non-Newtonian fluid and the pulsating nature of blood flow. These extensions improved the basic model by simulating a more physiologically accurate application of magnetic drug targeting. A reduction of the particle capture efficiency is experienced based on this physiologically accurate model. Time of injection over the flow cycle of the pulsating nature of blood flow greatly influences the particle capture efficiency.