Magnetic shaping of ferrite-PDMS composite and its application in magnetic carrier targeting

This paper presents a structure forming scheme that is capable of remotely shaping magnetic composites into desired geometries. The magnetic composites, which are made up of fine ferrite particles in PDMS pre-polymer matrices, are injected into controlled magnetic fields and deformed by the induced magnetic and interfacial interactions. Directed by the magnetic fields, the injected composites can be stretched, wound around targeted structures, and attached firmly to them. Once polymerized and solidified, the composite structures can potentially serve as magnetic implants to facilitate the targeting of magnetic carriers. When energized by external magnetic fields, the implanted ferrimagnetic structures in turn produce short-ranged and temporary forces that can guide the targeting of nearby magnetic carriers. As such, the desired internal guidance for magnetic carrier targeting can be achieved and switched on/off remotely, which can potentially enhance the selectivity of carriers, accelerate the delivery of drugs, and improve the therapeutic efficiency as expected.