Drug delivery devices have recently received a lot of attention with many diverse types of devices becoming available as powerful tools for researchers and medical practitioners. Material design plays a significant role in the quality and improvement of these devices with the control of drug delivery being at the forefront of design considerations. With this in mind, we have sought to design a non-biodegradable drug delivery device incorporating a material which will allow drug release rate control, and drug release vector control (directional drug release) with high loading capabilities, and proven biocompatibility. In this study, a selection of silicones has been utilized to produce a polymeric crosslinked material via hydrosilylation for drug delivery applications. Varying the chain length and/or mole % functionality of the selected silicones affords several material formulations with varying crosslink densities. Through the differences in crosslink density, drug delivery rate may be controlled. A model of drug delivery was produced with the use of Nile Red dye and studied via visible spectroscopy. Vector controlled release may also be achieved in much the same manner; using varying crosslink densities to mechanically control the route of drug release through the material with either multi-directional release, or uni-directional release possible. These polymeric crosslinked materials are highly efficacious in terms of dosage control, vector control, and bio-compatibility. Drug release rate increases with decreasing crosslink density and conversely, decreases with increasing crosslink density. Furthermore, release direction (vector) can be controlled through mechanical means.

Silicone–based materials for controlled release drug delivery

256th National Meeting (2018)

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