Ultrasound-triggered smart drug release from a poly(dimethylsiloxane)- mesoporous silica composite

An ultrasound-triggered controlled release system that is composed of mesoporous silica as the drug reservoir and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) as the implantable body, is discussed. The fresh and drug-loaded mesoporous silica was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N₂ adsorption. It was observed that the ultrasound enhanced the drug-release kinetics of PDMS and PDMS-mesoporous silica. It was also reported that ultrasound irradiation was capable or reversibly losing the tight packing of the self-assembled hydrocarbon chain. This can increase the permeability of water and drug through the polymer film. Ultrasound was found more effective on PDMS-mesoporous silica than the PDMS. The addition of mesoporous silica into PDMS can increase the ultrasonic susceptibility and reliability of pulsatile drug release. The devices based on such ultrasound-induced pulsatile release system, can be safely implanted and controlled for targeted, on-demand drug delivery.