Computational Analysis of Flow Topology and Targeted Drug Delivery in Coronary Artery

Meschi, Sara Sadat (2021) Computational Analysis of Flow Topology and Targeted Drug Delivery in Coronary Artery. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Nanotechnology has introduced novel diagnostic and therapeutic solutions in the field of medical sciences for the improvement and optimization of conventional methods. In this script, we focus on nano-scale therapeutic particles, which have a pivotal role in the invention of targeted drug delivery systems. Targeted drug delivery is a promising technique to direct the drug to specific diseased regions. Nanoparticles have provided an attractive approach for this purpose. In practice, the major focus of targeted delivery has been on targeting cell receptors. However, the complex fluid mechanics in diseased biomedical flows questions if a sufficient number of nanoparticles can reach the desired region. In this thesis, we present our study on a shear-sensitive drug delivery system and investigate the relationship between the topology of the flow and coherent structures defining ridges in the flow field with the dispersed particles' concentration maps in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). We propose that hidden topological structures in cardiovascular flows identified with Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS) control drug transport and provide valuable information for optimizing targeted drug delivery efficiency. We couple image-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with continuum transport models to study nanoparticle transport in coronary artery disease. We simulate nanoparticle transport as well as the recently proposed shear targeted drug delivery system that couples micro-carriers with nanoparticle drugs. The role of the LCS formed near the stenosed artery in controlling drug transport is discussed. Furthermore, we demonstrate the drug transport in the coronary artery wall targeting the vascular smooth muscle cells. Finally, we review some potential applications of nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer. Our results motivate the design of smart micro-needles guided by flow topology, which could achieve optimal drug delivery efficiency.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Coronary artery stenosis; Hemodynamics; Lagrangian coherent structure; Left anterior descending artery; Nanoparticles; Transport
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
MeSH Subjects:	J Technology,Industry,Agriculture > J01 Technology, Industry, and Agriculture
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences > Mechanical Engineering
Date Deposited:	03 Mar 2022 19:37
Last Modified:	03 Mar 2022 19:37
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/5798

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