Magnetic Particle Trapping in a Branched Blood Vessel in the Presence of Magnetic Field

Abstract

This study presents a theoretical model by using the COMSOL Multiphysics ®  software to describe the behavior of magnetic nanoparticles through blood stream in a branched blood vessel under the influence of cylindrical permanent magnet that is located outside the vessel. The magnet is placed at one branched vessel to attract the magnetic particles towards targeted locations. The fluid (blood) is assumed being Newtonian; its flow is incompressible and laminar. Magnetic nanoparticles, such as superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles are used in this theoretical study. The mechanisms of magnetic nanoparticles travelling in the blood stream under influence of a localized static magnetic field are numerically studied. The equations of motion for particles in the flow are governed by a combination of magnetic equations for the permanent magnetic field and the Navier-Stokes equations for fluid.