Optimized Halbach array for focused magnetic drug targeting

Abstract

Magnetic drug targeting (MDT) is a therapeutic method that delivers drug carriers containing magnetic nanoparticles to a target lesion by directing them using an external magnetic field. To minimize the possible side effects on the surrounding normal cells, focused magnetic drug targeting (FMDT) has been introduced, which allows drug carriers to be delivered only to the target lesions. FMDT, with its capability for local focusing and wide attraction, aims for highly efficient and concentrated drug delivery. In this study, a modified quasi-axisymmetric Halbach array design was introduced as an external magnetic source to perform FMDT. The proposed Halbach array design has a simple structure that is easy to assemble, unlike earlier Halbach array designs. The optimized Halbach array is fabricated as a result of the optimization of the magnetic force magnitude and local focusing with wide attraction using finite element method (FEM) analysis. Through simulations and experiments, the optimized Halbach array design is validated and a comparative analysis with other magnet types is performed. As a result, the optimization of the Halbach array using FEM is experimentally validated, and it is confirmed that the optimized Halbach array is more effective for FMDT than the permanent magnet used in MDT.