Drug delivery to the lower female reproductive tract: Mechanics and surface phenomena

Surface phenomena impact the deployment of formulations within the vagina in several ways. Surface tension is a driving force for seeping flow into the small vaginal rugae. The adhesion of formulations to vaginal surfaces governs the fluid mechanical boundary conditions at those surfaces which, in turn, profoundly impacts the squeezing, shearing, sliding and seeping flows. Thus, the design of improved intravaginal formulations will benefit from understanding and mediation of surface interactions between the formulations and the entire vaginal milieu.

Duke Scholars

Author David F. Katz Biomedical Engineering