Xianqiao Liu

Surface Functionalized Biocompatible Magnetic Nanospheres for Cancer Hyperthermia

We report a simplified single emulsion (oil-in-water) solvent evaporation protocol to synthesize surface functionalized biocompatible magnetic nanospheres by using highly concentrated hydrophobic magnetite (gel) and a mixture of poly(D,L lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(lactic acid-block-polyethylene glycol-maleimide) (PLA-PEG-maleimide) (10:1 by mass) polymers. The as-synthesized particles are approximately spherical with an average diameter of 360-370 nm with polydispersity index of 0.12-0.18, are surface-functionalized with maleimide groups, and have saturation magnetization values of 25-40 emu/g. The efficiency of the heating induced by 400-kHz oscillating magnetic fields is compared for two samples with different magnetite loadings. Results show that these nanospheres have the potential to provide an efficient cancer-targeted hyperthermia.

A comprehensive in vitro investigation of a portable magnetic separator device for human blood detoxification

A portable magnetic separator device is being developed for a proposed magnetically based detoxification system. In this paper, the performance of this device was evaluated via preliminary in vitro flow experiments using simple fluids and a separator unit consisting of one tube and two metal wires, each at the top and bottom of the tube. The effects of the following factors were observed: mean flow velocity U(o) (0.14-45 cm s(-1)), magnetic field strength micro(o)H(o) (0.125-0.50 T), wire size R(w) (0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 mm), wire length L(w) (2, 5 and 10 cm), wire materials (nickel, stainless steel 304 and 430) and tube size (outer radius R(o) = 0.30 mm and inner radius R(i) = 0.25 mm; R(o) = 0.50 mm and R(i) = 0.375 mm; and R(o) = 2.0 mm and R(i) = 1.0 mm). Our observations showed that the experimental results fit well with the corresponding theoretical results from the model we previously developed at a low flow velocity area (for example, U(o) < or = 20 cm s(-1)), strong external magnetic field (for example, > or = 0.30 T) and long wire length (for example, L(w) = 10 cm). The experimental results also showed that more than 90% capture efficiency is indeed achievable under moderate systemic and operational conditions. Pressure drop measurements revealed that the device could work well under human physiological and clinical conditions, and sphere buildup would not have any considerable effect on the pressure drop of the device. The breakthrough experiments demonstrated that a lower flow rate V, higher applied magnetic field micro(o)H(o) and diluted sphere suspension, i.e. lower C(o), would delay the breakthrough. All the results indicate the promise of this portable magnetic separator device to efficiently in vivo sequestrate nano-/micro-spheres from blood flow in the future magnetically based detoxification system.

Magnetic separation of micro-spheres from viscous biological fluids

A magnetically based detoxification system is being developed as a therapeutic tool for selective and rapid removal of biohazards, i.e. chemicals and radioactive substances, from human blood. One of the key components of this system is a portable magnetic separator capable of separating polymer-based magnetic nano/micro-spheres from arterial blood flow in an ex vivo unit. The magnetic separator consists of an array of alternating and parallel capillary tubing and magnetizable wires, which is exposed to an applied magnetic field created by two parallel permanent magnets such that the magnetic field is perpendicular to both the wires and the fluid flow. In this paper, the performance of this separator was evaluated via preliminary in vitro flow experiments using a separator unit consisting of single capillary glass tubing and two metal wires. Pure water, ethylene glycol-water solution (v:v=39:61 and v:v=49:51) and human whole blood were used as the fluids. The results showed that when the viscosity increased from 1.0 cp to 3.0 cp, the capture efficiency (CE) decreased from 90% to 56%. However, it is still feasible to obtain >90% CE in blood flow if the separator design is optimized to create higher magnetic gradients and magnetic fields in the separation area.