Bio-Inspired Multi-Functional Drug Transport Design Concept and Simulations

Bioengineering (Basel). 2017 Apr 25;4(2):37. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering4020037.

Abstract

In this study, we developed a microdevice concept for drug/fluidic transport taking an inspiration from supramolecular motor found in biological cells. Specifically, idealized multi-functional design geometry (nozzle/diffuser/nozzle) was developed for (i) fluidic/particle transport; (ii) particle separation; and (iii) droplet generation. Several design simulations were conducted to demonstrate the working principles of the multi-functional device. The design simulations illustrate that the proposed design concept is feasible for multi-functionality. However, further experimentation and optimization studies are needed to fully evaluate the multifunctional device concept for multiple applications.

Keywords: analysis; computer-aided-design; drug delivery; molecular motors; simulation.