ISSN:
1432-1416
Keywords:
Key words: Delay differential equations
;
Stability
;
Control
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Mathematics
Notes:
Abstract. A mathematical model for the delivery of drug directly to the macrophages by using the phagocytosis of senescent red blood cells is proposed. The model is based on the following assumption: At time t=0 a preassigned red blood cell population n(0, a)=φ(a), a〉0, loaded by the drug, is injected in the blood circulation. Among the cells of that population only those with an age a≧ā (ā=120 days) will be phagocytosed by macrophages. Of course, the lifetime of the drug must be higher than ā. Within the red blood cells it cannot be metabolized, neither can it diffuse through their membranes. The emphasis of the paper is on the mathematical properties and on the formulation of the control problem.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002850050039
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