Main description:

This book approaches the subject from a mechanistic perspective that pitches the language at a level that is understandable to those entering the field and who are not familiar with its common phrases or complex terms. It provides a simple encapsulation of concepts and expands on them. In each chapter the basic concept is explained as simply and clearly as possible without a great deal of detail, then in subsequent sections additional material, exceptions to the general rule, examples, etc., is introduced and built up. Such material was generously supplemented with diagrams; conceptually elegant line diagrams in two or three colors. The artwork was well thought out and able to condense the scientific principles into a novel and visually exciting form. The diagrams encourage browsing or draw the reader to salient points. In addition, the technique of highlighting key concepts in a separate box is used throughout each chapter.

Contents:

The Need for Drugs and Drug Delivery Systems.- Overview of Controlled Release Mechanisms.- Hydrophobic Polymers of Pharmaceutical Significance.- Hydrogels.- Biodegradable Polymers in Drug Delivery Systems.- Diffusion Controlled Drug Delivery Systems.- Swelling Controlled Drug Delivery Systems.- Degradable Polymeric Carriers for Parenteral Controlled Drug Delivery Systems.- Porous Systems.- Targeted Delivery Using Biodegradable polymeric Nanoparticles.- Liposomes in Drug Delivery.- Receptor Mediated Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapeutics.- Biological Rhythms, Drug Delivery, and Chronotherapeutics.- Site Specific Controlled Release for Cardiovascular Disease - Translational Direction.- Drug Delivery Systems to Fight Cancer.- Applications of Vaccine Delivery in Infectious Diseases.- Tissue Engineering in Drug Delivery.- The Shaping of Controlled Release Drug Product Development by Emerging Trends in the Commercial, Regulatory and Political Macro-Environment