The goal of every drug delivery system is to deliver the precise amount of a drug at a pre-programmed rate to the desired location in order to achieve the drug level necessary for the treatment. An essential guide for biomedical engineers and pharmaceutical designers, this resource combines physicochemical principles with physiological processes to facilitate the design of systems that will deliver medication at the time and place it is most needed.

This book approaches the subject from a mechanistic perspective that pitches the language at a level that is understandable to those entering the field and who are not familiar with its common phrases or complex terms. It provides a simple encapsulation of concepts and expands on them. In each chapter the basic concept is explained as simply and clearly as possible without a great deal of detail, then in subsequent sections additional material, exceptions to the general rule, examples, etc., is introduced and built up. Such material was generously supplemented with diagrams; conceptually elegant line diagrams in two or three colors. The artwork was well thought out and able to condense the scientific principles into a novel and visually exciting form. The diagrams encourage browsing or draw the reader to salient points. In addition, the technique of highlighting key concepts in a separate box is used throughout each chapter.

The concept of controlled release has attracted increasing attention over the last two decades, with the applications of this technology proliferating in diverse fields in cluding medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. Research and developmental efforts related to controlled release are multiplying in both industry and academia. The reason for this phenomenal growth is obvious. The use of a variety of biologically active agents, such as drugs, fertilizers and pesticides, has become an integral part of modern society. Along with the use of these reagents has evolved an awareness that their uncontrolled application almost inevitably induces harmful effects on the health of humans and their surrounding environments. To eliminate or minimize these harmful effects necessitates the controlled release of these chemicals. Moreover, the controlled release of substances, not usually considered toxic or hazardous, e.g., some catalysts and nutrients, can enhance their effectiveness. The number and variety of controlled release systems, differing in their physical and chemical makeup, are increasing rapidly. Proliferation almost always demands correlation, generalization and unification; it requires both the development of underlying theories of their behavior and the mechanistic interpretation of their performance. This, in turn, requires a statistical and mathematical (quantitative) treatment of the scientific information and technical data pertaining to them. A quantitative treatment can also facilitate the formulation of procedures for computer-aided design of these systems through a priori prediction of their per formance for a variety of design parameters.

The Handbook of Pharmaceutical Controlled Release Technology reviews the design, fabrication, methodology, administration, and classifications of various drug delivery systems, including matrices, and membrane controlled reservoir, bioerodible, and pendant chain systems. Contains cutting-edge research on the controlled delivery of biomolecules! Discussing the advantages and limitations of controlled release systems, the Handbook of Pharmaceutical Controlled Release Technology covers oral, transdermal, parenteral, and implantable delivery of drugs discusses modification methods to achieve desired release kinetics highlights constraints of system design for practical clinical application analyzes diffusion equations and mathematical modeling considers environmental acceptance and tissue compatibility of biopolymeric systems for biologically active agents evaluates polymers as drug delivery carriers describes peptide, protein, micro-, and nanoparticulate release systems examines the cost, comfort, disease control, side effects, and patient compliance of numerous delivery systems and devices and more!

Many controlled release veterinary drug delivery systems (CRVDDS) are presently in use, and recently there has been a host of new CRVDDS within veterinary medicine. The challenges of this area of drug delivery arise from the unique anatomy and physiology of the target animal, the cost constraints associated with the value of the animal being treated and the extended periods of time that delivery must be sustained for (often measured in months).The purpose of this book is to introduce the reader to the unique opportunities and challenges of the field of CRVDDS and to explain and discuss the basic controlled release principles underlying the development of CRVDDS. Its aim is to provide an overview of many of the areas where CRVVDS have application, and to highlight the opportunities and prospects for controlled release technology in the veterinary field.Controlled Release Veterinary Drug Delivery comprises chapters that provide workers in the field (and those interested in this area) with information on the design, development and assessment of a variety of CRVDDS. The book contains chapters that describe the relevant animal physiological and anatomical considerations alongside descriptions of current and emerging controlled release delivery systems for a variety of routes for drug delivery, and present overviews on the physical and chemical assessment of veterinary controlled release delivery systems.The veterinary area is abound with opportunities for the development of controlled release drug delivery technologies. It is an area of medicine that is open to the acceptance of novel drug delivery devices, and which readily encompasses the use of novel routes of administration. It is an area of many unmet needs, most of which offer opportunities and unique challenges for the innovative formulation scientist to provide solutions. This book will provide an insight into the biological, clinical and pharmaceutical challenges that face the formulation scientist in this interesting and diverse area of research.

This book describes the theories, applications, and challenges for different oral controlled release formulations. This book differs from most in its focus on oral controlled release formulation design and process development. It also covers the related areas like preformulation, biopharmaceutics, in vitro-in vivo correlations (IVIVC), quality by design (QbD), and regulatory issues.

Controlled Release of Bioactive Materials is a collection papers that deal with the study of controlled release applications in drugs and other pharmacological products and processes. The text covers topics such as the theory and practice of controlled drug delivery from bioerodible polymers, biodegradable drug delivery systems from aliphatic polyesters, and the applications of osmotic drug delivery. Also covered are topics such as the application of polymers for the sustained release of macromolecules, controlled transdermal delivery, and the use of hydrogel devices for the controlled release of steroid hormones. The book is recommended for pharmacologists and doctors who would like to know more about advancements in the field of controlled release applications and its uses in healthcare, especially in pharmacology.

A review of the latest research on biomedical polymers, this book discusses natural, synthetic, biodegradable and non bio-degradable polymers and their applications. Chapters discuss polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems, the use of polymers in cell encapsulation, their role as replacement materials for heart valves and arteries, and their applications in joint replacement. The book also discusses the use of polymers in biosensor applications. Edited by an expert team of reasearchers and containing contributions from pioneers throughout the field, the book is an essential reference for scientists and all those developing and using this important group of biomaterials.

Active ingredients in foods must remain fully functional for as long as necessary and be transported and discharged appropriately to have the desired nutritional effect. Delivery and controlled release systems are an essential way to achieve these aims. This important book reviews how to optimise these systems to maximise the health-promoting properties of food products.Opening chapters review factors affecting nutrient bioavailability and methods to test delivery system efficacy. Part two addresses materials used and specific techniques for delivery and release. The benefits and drawbacks of structured lipids, micro- and nano-emulsions, food-protein-derived materials, complexes and conjugates of biopolymers, and starch as an encapsulation material for delivery of functional food ingredients, are all considered. Part three discusses the delivery and controlled release of particular nutraceuticals such as antioxidants and vitamins, folic acid, probiotics, fish oils and proteins. Part four covers regulatory issues and future trends in bioactives and nutraceuticals.Edited by a leading expert in the field, Delivery and controlled release of bioactives in foods and nutraceuticals is a valuable reference for those working in the food industry and particularly those developing nutraceuticals. - Reviews techniques to optimise the delivery and release of bioactives in food - Discusses the factors that affect nutrient bioavailability and methods to test delivery system efficacy - Addresses materials used and specific techniques for delivery and release

Controlled Release Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture provides a comprehensive examination of precision fertilizer applications using the 4-R approach—the right amount of fertilizer at the right time to the right plant at the correct stage of plant growth. This volume consolidates detailed information on each aspect of controlled release fertilizers, including up-to-date literature citations, the current market for controlled release fertilizers and patents. Presenting the tremendous advances in experimental and theoretical studies on sustainable agriculture and related areas, this book provides in-depth insight into state-of-the-art controlled release mechanisms of fertilizers, techniques, and their use in sustainable agriculture. Conventional release mechanisms have historically meant waste of fertilizers and the adverse effects of that waste on the environment. Controlled release delivery makes significant strides in enhancing fertilizer benefit to the target plant, while protecting the surrounding environment and increasing sustainability. - Presents cutting-edge interdisciplinary insights specifically focused on the controlled release of fertilizers - Explores the benefits and challenges of 4-R fertilizer use - Includes expertise from leading researchers in the fields of agriculture, polymer science, and nanotechnology working in industry, academics, government, and private research institutions across the globe - Presents the tremendous advances in experimental and theoretical studies on sustainable agriculture and related areas