title: Assessing the potential of mathematical modelling in designing drug-releasing orthopaedic implants.
abstract: Orthopaedic implants have been the subject of intense research in recent years, with academics, clinicians and industrialists seeking to broaden our understanding of their function and potential consequences within the human body. Current research is focussed on ways to improve the integration of an orthopaedic device within the body, whether it be to encourage better osseointegration, combat possible infection or stem the foreign body response. A key emerging strategy is the controlled delivery of therapeutics from the device, which may take the form of, for example, antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatories or growth factors. However, the optimal device design that gives rise to the desired controlled release has yet to be defined. There are many examples in the literature of experimental approaches which attempt to tackle this issue. However, the necessity of having to conduct multiple experiments to test different scenarios is a major drawback of this approach. So enter stage left: mathematical modelling. Using a mathematical modelling approach can provide much more than experiments in isolation. For instance, a mathematical model can help identify key drug release mechanisms and uncover the rate limiting processes; allow for the estimation of values of the parameters controlling the system; quantify the effect of the interaction with the biological environment; and aid with the design of optimisation strategies for controlled drug release. In this paper we review current experimental approaches and some relevant mathematical models and suggest the future direction of such approaches in this field.
authors: Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: King
authors: Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: sean.mcginty@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors: Sean
authors: S
authors: McGinty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015195:Drug Design; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004343:Drug Implants
keywords: Controlled release; Drug delivery; Mathematical modelling; Orthopaedic implants