Title:Optimizing Microfluidic Channel Design with High-Performance Materials for Safe Neonatal Drug Delivery
Volume: 18
Issue: 4
Author(s): T. Archana*, N. Nachammai and S. Praveenkumar
Affiliation:
- Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram,
India
Keywords:
Microchannel geometries, consistent administration, intravenous therapies, drug flow rates, neonatal patients, microfluidic devices.
Abstract:
Introduction: Designing the microfluidic channel for neonatal drug delivery requires
proper considerations to enhance the efficiency and safety of drug substances when used in neonates.
Thus, this research aims to evaluate high-performance materials and optimize the channel design
by modeling and simulation using COMSOL multiphysics in order to deliver an optimum flow
rate between 0. 3 and 1 mL/hr.
Methods: Some of the materials used in the study included PDMS, glass, COC, PMMA, PC, TPE,
and hydrogels, and the evaluation criterion involved biocompatibility, mechanical properties, chemical
resistance, and ease of fabrication. The simulation was carried out in the COMSOL multiphysics
platform and demonstrated the fog fluid behavior in different channel geometries, including
laminar flow and turbulence. The study then used systematic changes in design parameters with the
aim of establishing the best implementation models that can improve the efficiency and reliability
of the drug delivery system. The comparison was based mostly on each material and its appropriateness
in microfluidic usage, primarily in neonatal drug delivery. The biocompatibility of the developed
materials was verified using the literature analysis and adherence to the ISO 10993 standard,
thus providing safety for the use of neonatal devices. Tensile strength was included to check
the strength of each material to withstand its operation conditions. Chemical resistance was also
tested in order to determine the compatibility of the materials with various drugs, and the possibility
of fabrication was also taken into consideration to identify appropriate materials that could be used
in the rapid manufacturing of the product.
Results: The results we obtained show that PDMS, due to its flexibility and simplicity in simulation
coupled with more efficient channel designs which have been extracted from COMSOL, present a
feasible solution to neonatal drug delivery.
Conclusion: The present comparative study serves as a guide on the choice of materials and design
of microfluidic devices to help achieve safer and enhanced drug delivery systems suitable for the
delicate reception of fragile neonates.