Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are materials capable of programmable shape changes, triggered by the exposure to an external stimulus. Their smart response holds potential for the development of shape-shifting medical devices, e.g. self-expandable stents and dynamically active substrates for tissue engineering. Recently, the possibility to leverage the peculiarities of SMPs also for pharmaceutical applications was envisioned for site-specific delivery of active molecules inside the human body. The shape memory effect of a pharmaceutical-grade polymer was proved to be useful for the prototyping of a gastroretentive drug delivery system (DDS), first by programming a temporary shape, which can be fitted inside commercially available capsules, and secondly, by exploiting the recovery of the permanent bulky shape (upon contact with simulated gastric fluid at 37°C) to achieve retention and controlled release of the conveyed drug. The core aim of this work is to propose an experimental strategy, supported by a computational activity, to optimize the performance of this system in terms of the mechanical response and controlled release.

Optimization of a shape memory-based platform for drug delivery

Inverardi Nicoletta;Pasini Chiara;Baldi Francesco;Pandini Stefano
2021-01-01

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are materials capable of programmable shape changes, triggered by the exposure to an external stimulus. Their smart response holds potential for the development of shape-shifting medical devices, e.g. self-expandable stents and dynamically active substrates for tissue engineering. Recently, the possibility to leverage the peculiarities of SMPs also for pharmaceutical applications was envisioned for site-specific delivery of active molecules inside the human body. The shape memory effect of a pharmaceutical-grade polymer was proved to be useful for the prototyping of a gastroretentive drug delivery system (DDS), first by programming a temporary shape, which can be fitted inside commercially available capsules, and secondly, by exploiting the recovery of the permanent bulky shape (upon contact with simulated gastric fluid at 37°C) to achieve retention and controlled release of the conveyed drug. The core aim of this work is to propose an experimental strategy, supported by a computational activity, to optimize the performance of this system in terms of the mechanical response and controlled release.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11379/547581
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact