ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the use of a technique known as nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) for the characterization of nanoscale drug delivery systems. An explanation of the principles of the technique is followed by a brief discussion of comparable technologies and then a review of the literature in which NTA has been utilized in order to characterize drug delivery and nanomedicine products. The chapter focuses on the application and use of NTA for the assessment of nanoscale materials in drug delivery, it is also important to consider some of the other characterization equipment used for this type of work. In the field of drug delivery, common nanoscale vectors for drug delivery include liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, semiconductor nanoparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles. NTA, being a recently developed technique, was not considered in the drug delivery nanoparticles review but is, however, gaining use in the characterization of nanoparticulate suspensions being developed for drug delivery usage.
