title: Mathematical model of microbicidal flow dynamics and optimization of rheological properties for intra-vaginal drug delivery: Role of tissue mechanics and fluid rheology.
abstract: Topically applied microbicide gels can provide a self-administered and effective strategy to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We have investigated the interplay between vaginal tissue elasticity and the yield-stress of non-Newtonian fluids during microbicide deployment. We have developed a mathematical model of tissue deformation driven spreading of microbicidal gels based on thin film lubrication approximation and demonstrated the effect of tissue elasticity and fluid yield-stress on the spreading dynamics. Our results show that both elasticity of tissue and yield-stress rheology of gel are strong determinants of the coating behavior. An optimization framework has been demonstrated which leverages the flow dynamics of yield-stress fluid during deployment to maximize retention while reaching target coating length for a given tissue elasticity.
authors: Bioengineering Graduate Program, The University of Kansas, USA.
authors: Md Rajib
authors: MR
authors: Anwar
authors: Bioengineering Graduate Program, The University of Kansas, USA; Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, The University of Kansas, USA.
authors: Kyle V
authors: KV
authors: Camarda
authors: Bioengineering Graduate Program, The University of Kansas, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Kansas, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, The University of Kansas, USA. Electronic address: kieweg@ku.edu.
authors: Sarah L
authors: SL
authors: Kieweg
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008954:Models, Biological; D012212:Rheology; D033081:Shear Strength; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005782:Gels
keywords: Microbicide gel; Non-Newtonian fluid; Numerical optimization; Thin film flow; Tissue biomechanics; Yield stress