| A novel magnetic Polylactic acid microsphere was developed and produced. Various magnetic materials like Iron, Nickel and Magnetite were introduced into the microspheres, at concentrations of 5 to 10% by weight. The resulting microspheres were characterized for their magnetic responsiveness with a continuous flow apparatus which simulated the vascular system. The effect of specific experimental parameters on the rate of magnetic retention were evaluated using factorial and fractional factorial designs. The observed parameters were the flow tube diameter, test fluid flow rate, magnetic field strength and the mass of added microspheres. The effect of magnetic material type and concentration, microsphere size and test fluid viscosity were also observed. The magnetic retention profiles were photographically recorded and characterized. Computer simulations of various characteristics were completed to interpret several underlying phenomenas of the retention process. |
