Magnetically and ultrasonically modulated drug delivery systems

Delivery systems in which the drug release rates can be activated by an external stimuli are still largely experimental. There are, however, a number of situation where augmented delivery on demand could be beneficial. These include delivery of insulin for patients with diabetes mellitus antiarrhythmics for patients with heart rhythm disorders, nitrates for patients with angina pectoris, as well as selective b-blockade, birth control and general hormone replacement, immunizaition, cancer chemotherapy, and long-term immunosuppression. In this chapter emphasis is placed upon systems in which drug release rates can be modulated on demand from a position external to the delivery device magnetism or ultrasound.