Computational study of halbach-array-driven magnetic targeting for aortic tumor using Non-Newtonian blood flow models

Aortic tumors are uncommon but aggressive and require thoughtful, focused treatment modalities. In this study, a novel computational study into magnetic drug targeting (MDT) for aortic tumors using a Halbach array to produce a non-uniform magnetic field was performed. Additionally, non-Newtonian blood flow properties, using Power-law and Carreau models were used in simulations. A case-specific aortic geometry was reconstructed from a CT image, and finite element simulations were conducted to evaluate the capture efficiency (CE) of the magnetic nanoparticles in different scenarios. Nanoparticles of varying diameters between 250 and 1000 nm and magnetic field intensities of 0.5 T, 0.78 T, and 1.2 T were used. The results showed a significant dependence of CE on particle size and the magnetic field. For example, at 1.2 T, particles of 1000 nm produced a CE of 55 % by the third cardiac cycle, while 500 nm particles produced a CE of 36 % based on Newtonian flow assumptions. Non-Newtonian models produced slightly higher CE at initial periods for larger particles: Carreau would yield 44.5 % and Power-law would yield 43.9 % for initial CE in the first cycle, compared to 42.4 % for the Newtonian model. These results demonstrate the important roles of particle size, the intensity of magnetic fields, and rheological blood behavior in optimizing MDT. The present study improves the computational design of MDT systems for vascular tumors and highlights the importance of considering realistic hemodynamics when planning treatment.