Mathematical model to predict drug release, including the early-time burst effect, from swellable homogeneous hydrogels

In this work, we present a mathematical model for the simulation of water uptake by and drug release from homogeneous hydrogels. This model successfully predicts the shape of the water uptake profile (including Super Case II transport) as well as the initial burst release observed experimentally in homogeneous poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels. Parameter sensitivity studies were performed on the modeling of homogeneous hydrogels, showing the polymer relaxation constant had a profound effect on water uptake and drug release.