ABSTRACT
A quantitative approach to the control of multicomponent transport in polymers and polymer blends is developed with its possible application to polymer systems used for the controlled release of drugs. The approach is based on the theory of multicomponent transport in polymers of different hydrophilic characters and integrates the modeling of chemical, physical, morphological and transport properties of polymeric materials. To determine the kinetics of the release of low-molecular weight species from polymers the methods of controlled modification of matrix are proposed which comprise • alteration of hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance in polymer by controlled polymer
degradation; • control of the level of fillers and additives; • application of multilayer systems, and others. The fundamental aspects of multicomponent transport in polymers are discussed with the reference to eventual application of the theory into practice.
