Like any other engineering disciple, chemical engineers are deeply interested in bettering the world through innovation. They seek translate their knowledge in mathematics, science, economics and even social insight into actions, and aim to invent, design and construct new perspectives and concepts to tackle the problems we face in the world today. Many tend to associate the term ‘chemical engineer’ with huge process plants and chemical reactors. Whilst this is not an inaccurate reflection of a typical chemical engineer’s job, there are many more areas chemical engineers can contribute to. This essay zooms in on the pivotal role chemical engineering can play in modern medicine, further delving into how chemical engineers take on an imperative
…show more content…
For example, nasal sprays were used to deliver finely atomized amounts of drug via inhalation, and dermal patches were used to deliver controlled doses of the drug via the skin.
However, it has surfaced that such methods, though straightforward, have proven to encounter some hiccups. For example, partial degradation of the drugs have limited the capability of the given drug from fully executing its ‘functions’ before reaching the designated part of the body. Also, the traditional periodic administration of a drug can lead to inconsistent systemic drug concentrations, resulting in alternating periods of ineffectiveness and even toxicity. These complications reduce the efficacy of the drugs, hence limiting the curing potential that they were made to have.
It is seen that solutions already exist – drugs have already been made to combat illnesses. However, chemical engineers are interested in developing new perspectives and concepts that would maximize these solutions to their full potential, and this is done by exploring ways drugs can be otherwise be deployed. Chemical engineers have thus taken it in their stride to tackle this problem by creating controlled-release systems that attempt to maintain the concentration level of the drug in the body by controlling its rate of …show more content…
Besides bringing the drug their designated areas, these creations also play a role in controlling the amount of drug released in response to an external or internal trigger. The ultimate goal of such a system is to prevent premature degradation of the drug, maximize its potential, minimize wastage, and deter side effects from surfacing. This not only reduces wastage of drugs, but also greatly reduces the time taken to treat the disease.
By honing skills and obtaining a deft grasp of knowledge in mathematics and science, chemical engineers are trained to conjure up solutions to these problems from a theoretical point of view. In relation to drug delivery, chemical engineers play a vital role in contributing their knowledge in mass transfer rates, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics etc. that can help piece the solution and aid the actualization process. For example, chemical engineers may be tasked with investigating the drug dissolution rate, in which they have must use their knowledge to measure and describe this rate based on a mathematical
For example, nasal sprays were used to deliver finely atomized amounts of drug via inhalation, and dermal patches were used to deliver controlled doses of the drug via the skin.
However, it has surfaced that such methods, though straightforward, have proven to encounter some hiccups. For example, partial degradation of the drugs have limited the capability of the given drug from fully executing its ‘functions’ before reaching the designated part of the body. Also, the traditional periodic administration of a drug can lead to inconsistent systemic drug concentrations, resulting in alternating periods of ineffectiveness and even toxicity. These complications reduce the efficacy of the drugs, hence limiting the curing potential that they were made to have.
It is seen that solutions already exist – drugs have already been made to combat illnesses. However, chemical engineers are interested in developing new perspectives and concepts that would maximize these solutions to their full potential, and this is done by exploring ways drugs can be otherwise be deployed. Chemical engineers have thus taken it in their stride to tackle this problem by creating controlled-release systems that attempt to maintain the concentration level of the drug in the body by controlling its rate of …show more content…
Besides bringing the drug their designated areas, these creations also play a role in controlling the amount of drug released in response to an external or internal trigger. The ultimate goal of such a system is to prevent premature degradation of the drug, maximize its potential, minimize wastage, and deter side effects from surfacing. This not only reduces wastage of drugs, but also greatly reduces the time taken to treat the disease.
By honing skills and obtaining a deft grasp of knowledge in mathematics and science, chemical engineers are trained to conjure up solutions to these problems from a theoretical point of view. In relation to drug delivery, chemical engineers play a vital role in contributing their knowledge in mass transfer rates, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics etc. that can help piece the solution and aid the actualization process. For example, chemical engineers may be tasked with investigating the drug dissolution rate, in which they have must use their knowledge to measure and describe this rate based on a mathematical