Controlled delivery of drugs adsorbed onto porous Fe3O4 structures by application of AC/DC magnetic fields

• We present simple set up for efficient drug delivery.
• Maximal drug release induced by combined AC/DC field, enabling highly localised delivery.
• Strong release performance even at very modest magnetic field strengths.
• The drug carriers (Fe3O4) are chemically simple and easy to synthesise and control.
• Good biological compatibility of the delivery and release systems.

Porous structures made up of Fe3O4 nanoparticles were used to adsorb methyl blue in water. Controlled release of the methyl blue to water was then achieved by application of a magnetic field. Application of a pure DC field did not result in any release. Application of a pure AC field caused released of the methyl blue. However, a combination of both DC and AC fields resulted in much faster release. The mechanism by which this operated is believed to result from viscous friction. Nanoparticles are strongly aligned in the DC field and oscillate under the influence of the AC field. This study demonstrates a concept for controlled drug delivery, where pharmaceutical molecules, similar to methyl blue, would be adsorbed onto porous Fe3O4 structure and the released at a target by application of appropriately localised magnetic fields.

Experimental apparatus of simple and highly efficient set up showing how AC and DC magnetic fields were applied. Combination of AC/DC magnetic fields provide maximal release of methyl blue dye.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide