Smart Drug Delivery Systems (SDDSs) are advanced platforms enabling controlled and stimuli-responsive drug release. Among external stimuli, near-infrared (NIR) light and magnetic fields are particularly attractive due to their non-invasive activation and tunable energy conversion. Multifunctional electrospun scaffolds (PCI) based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), ciprofloxacin (CPX), and iron oxide nanopowder (INPs, d 85%) confirmed the cytocompatibility of the scaffolds. Comprehensive characterization included morphology, wettability, thermal and mechanical properties, NIR response, and drug release. Magnetic properties were evaluated using a cost-effective sensor-based approach (Hall sensors and fluxgate magnetometer), confirming superparamagnetic behavior. By coupling NIR-triggered drug release with MRI detectability, PCI scaffolds provide a compact theranostic platform for localized biomedical applications. Overall, PCI scaffolds represent a scalable and cost-effective multifunctional platform integrating controlled drug delivery, photothermal responsiveness, and imaging capability, showing strong potential for advanced biomedical applications.
Sciré et al. (Tue,) studied this question.