Fundamental aspects of drug release from polymers. I. Models of simultaneous transport of water and solutes in polymers

The models which describe co-operative sorption of water by and solutes release from polymeric matrices are reviewed. The main scope is the finding of realistic approach to describing the behaviour of water and solutes as a function of the hydrophilic character of the matrix, the mechanical properties of the material and the water solubility of fillers and solutes. Integrating the modelling of chemical, physical, morphological and transport properties of polymeric materials the theories can be further applied for a design of polymeric systems of controlled delivery.