Factors affecting magnetic retention of particles in the upper airways:: An in vitro and ex vivo study

This paper presents the results of experiments using an in vitro model and an ex vivo animal model (Rana catesbeiana) to study magnetic particle retention in the conducting airways, specifically the trachea and bronchi. The purpose of these experiments was to determine the significant factors for retention of magnetic particles deposited from an aerosol at the airway surface using a magnetic field. The results indicate that the apparent viscosity of the mucus layer at low shear rates is the most significant obstacle to particle retention. The results also show that particle size and aggregation play major roles in particle retention. The mucus transport rate, unlike the effect of fluid velocity in intravenous applications, did not appear to be a determining factor for particle retention. It was also found that a suitably designed magnetic system, aside from having a high intensity, needs to exert a strong radial field to promote particle aggregation. The findings suggest that one possible approach to magnetic particle retention could be delivery of a mucolytic agent along with the drug particles. This study provides the fundamentals needed for development of a targeted magnetic drug delivery system for inhaled therapeutic aerosol particles.