Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery and Chronopharmacologycq

Drug delivery systems that release their payload only at the desired location and time, triggered by specific stimuli.

These systems respond to various internal or external triggers, enabling controlled drug release.

These are naturally occurring changes in the body, like pH differences between compartments or the presence of specific enzymes.

These stimuli are applied externally to control drug release, offering precise temporal and spatial control.

Changes in pH values can be helpful in targeting specific areas like tumor tissue.

The tendency of a polymer material to absorb and retain a liquid, usually water. It's how a dry polymer becomes a gel.

A type of polymer that forms a gel when in contact with water. They are often used in drug delivery systems because they can expand and release medication.

The degree of cross-linking in a polymer can affect its swelling. More cross-links mean less swelling, and vice versa.

Hydrophilic polymers are water-loving and swell more in the presence of water than hydrophobic polymers, which repel water.

The ability of a polymer to swell and shrink in response to changes in its environment, like temperature, pH, or the presence of specific molecules.

The process of incorporating a drug into a polymer material. This can be done by soaking the polymer in a drug solution, adding it during the polymer making process, or using self-assembly techniques.

The movement of a drug from a polymer material into the surrounding environment. This can happen through diffusion, where the drug moves from areas of high concentration to low concentration.

The process of a polymer chain relaxing and pushing out water, causing the hydrogel to contract and release the loaded drug.

A type of material that strongly adheres to a surface, often biological tissues. Used in drug delivery to keep medications in place and prevent leakage.

A drug delivery method designed to release medication slowly over a longer period, maintaining therapeutic levels in the body.

A drug delivery system that responds to changes in pH, altering its properties and drug release profile. Often triggered by changes in vaginal pH upon exposure to semen.

A polymer commonly used in pH-responsive drug delivery systems. It forms a gel at low pH and dissolves at higher pH, enabling controlled release of medications in response to changes in vaginal pH.

The process by which a gel transforms into a liquid or solution, often triggered by changes in pH or temperature.

A sudden, large release of medication, often triggered by a specific event like a change in pH.

Drug delivery systems designed specifically to release medications in response to semen, usually using pH-responsive materials that trigger drug release in vaginal environment.

A type of topical ophthalmic delivery system where the drug is initially in a liquid form but transforms into a gel upon contact with the eye's tear film.

A type of in situ gelling system that uses electrolytes, like calcium ions (Ca2+), to trigger the gel formation process.

A commercial ophthalmic gel-forming drug that utilizes gellan gum, which undergoes a phase change from liquid to gel when it encounters calcium ions in the tear film.

The polymer responsible for forming the gel in Timoptic XE, an aqueous solution that transforms into a gel upon interaction with calcium ions.

Calcium ions (Ca2+) present in the natural tear film, which play a crucial role in triggering the gel formation process by neutralizing the gellan gum polymer and forming a structured network.

The process of neutralising the gellan gum polymer with calcium ions, leading to a reduction in its solubility and ultimately causing the gel formation.

The interconnected structure created by the polymer chains when they bridge together, leading to the thick, gel-like consistency.

The increase in viscosity or thickness of the solution as it transitions from liquid to gel.

The temperature at which a polymer undergoes a significant change in its swelling behavior, transitioning from a hydrated to a dehydrated state.

A type of polymer that exhibits a sharp change in its swelling properties as the temperature crosses a specific point.

A polymer that becomes less soluble in water as the temperature increases, causing it to shrink or collapse.

A polymer that readily absorbs water, increasing its volume in an aqueous environment.

A specific type of thermo-responsive polymer that is commonly used in drug delivery systems.

An artificial pancreas system is a device that mimics the function of a healthy pancreas, monitoring and automatically adjusting insulin delivery to regulate blood glucose levels.

The artificial pancreas system uses a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to track blood sugar levels in real time.

The system automatically adjusts insulin delivery through an insulin pump based on the glucose readings from the CGM.

The artificial pancreas system is also known as a "closed-loop" system because it continuously monitors and adjusts insulin delivery without direct patient input.

The artificial pancreas system can help to reduce hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and minimize hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with diabetes.

The artificial pancreas system uses a computer algorithm to analyze blood sugar data and determine the appropriate insulin delivery.

The artificial pancreas system is a relatively new technology that is still under development.

The artificial pancreas system is a promising technology that could revolutionize diabetes care by providing more autonomous glucose control.