Super paramagnetic nanoparticles delivery through a microcatheter by solenoids

In order to design a drug delivery system to the human cochlea, a magnetic pump driving Fe₃O₄ super paramagnetic nanoparticles (MNP) attachable to a drug was evaluated. Such a device could be inserted into the cochlea by a minimally invasive technique. In this study, the effect of a magnetic field generated by solenoids coiled around a 1 mm diameter catheter filled with 200 nm MNP was studied. Results showed that, particles can be concentrated at different locations of the catheter for a precise delivery at different cochlear locations. The particles could also be driven between 2 solenoids 50 mm apart with 150 mA which is compatible with current sources in available cochlear implants.