Framework and ToolsA Framework for Modelling, Optimization and Control of Biomedical Systems

Drug delivery can be defined as the process of administering a pharmaceutical agent in the human body, including the consequent effects of this agent on the tissues and organs. Mathematical modelling of drug delivery can be divided into two different yet complementary approaches, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic approaches. Pharmacokinetics describes the effect of the drug in the body, by capturing absorption, distribution, diffusion and elimination of the drug. Pharmacodynamics describes the effects of a drug in the body, which are expressed mathematically by relations of drug dose-body responses. Usually, modelling of the drug delivery system requires a pharmacokinetic part, a pharmacodynamics part and a link between the two. Mathematical optimization and control of biomedical systems could lead to a better prediction of the optimal drug and/or therapy treatment for a specific disease.