Two-dimensional axisymmetric model for the sensitivity analysis of a chronic drug infusion into the brain.

A 64-run, 2-level partial factorial experimental analysis was conducted on a 2D axisymmetric finite-element model of the convection-enhanced drug delivery to the parenchyma of the brain. The purpose of this ANOVA analysis was to determine the relative importance of eight factors and their interaction in the volume of distribution for the drug. The analysis revealed that the infusion flowrate and concentration, the overall half-life of the drug and the in vivo effective concentration played an overwhelmingly dominant role in the drug distribution. The results of this analysis will guide the design of an appropriate drug delivery device by focusing research resources on the determined factors of most importance.