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Simulation of iontophoresis
Braun GmbH has developed an electrical device for the transfer of active substances via the skin. CADFEM investigated the efficiency by means of simulation in Ansys.

Analysis of iontophoresis in Ansys

Sector: Medical technologySpecialist field: Electromagnetics

The incorporation of active pharmaceutical ingredients on skin or mucosal surfaces or their migration into biological tissue can be improved by applying a driving electric field. This process is referred to as "iontophoresis".

Summary

Task

For Braun GmbH, a well-known supplier of consumer goods and small appliances, the efficiency of an iontophoretic application was to be investigated with respect to different areas of the biological surface.

Solution

In the Ansys FEM model, both properties, i.e. conductivity and dielectric constant, are defined for each material in one and the same simulation. The transient simulation provides the time-dependent current density vector field, including the components required for edge (dis)charging. Finally, the effective ion flux acting on the 3D skin surface is determined by time-averaging the current density at each point on the interface.

Customer benefits

The simulation results show the optimal operating parameters to deliver the drug to the desired location in the tissue.

Project Details

Task

The efficiency of an iontophoretic application with respect to various regions of the biological surface had to be studied for Braun GmbH, a well-known supplier of consumer products and small appliances. The analysis of the transient electric field is performed including materials with both conductive and non-conductive properties. Simulation is used to design and optimize a device developed by Braun GmbH that excites the ion flow.


Customer Benefit

The simulation results show the optimum operating parameters for delivering the active ingredient to the desired location in the tissue:

  • Evaluating the migration rate, especially into pores of different sizes
  • Understanding the effects of various dynamic signal parameters like signal shape and frequency on the migration rate; this is used to optimize the driving signal
  • Optimizing the shape and size of the active electrode

Solution

The migration of the ions of the active ingredient through the carrier substance and the tissue follows the electric current density vector field. However, not only is biological tissue an electric ion conductor, but it also shows significant dielectric permittivity as well. Therefore, a surface charge builds up at the boundary between the tissue and the carrier substance. In the case of a pulsed driving voltage, the electric current density contains components required for charging and discharging. Within the Ansys FEM model, both properties (i.e., conductivity and dielectric permittivity) are defined for each material in one and the same simulation. The transient simulation provides the time-dependent current density vector field, including the components required for boundary (dis)charging. The effective ion flow impacting the 3D skin surface is finally determined by time-averaging the current density at each point of the interface.

Images: © BRAUN


CAE Engineer
Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Wibbeler

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