Investigating Flow-Induced Corrosion of Magnesium in Ophthalmological Milieu

Although the impact of local fluid dynamics in the biodegradation of magnesium is well known, currently no studies in the literature address the degradation effects of ocular vitreous on bioresorbable devices made of magnesium, which could be developed as drug delivery carriers. The aim of this study was to investigate the flow-induced corrosion mechanism of magnesium in an ophthalmological environment for future applications in ophthalmic drug delivery. To achieve this, experimental and computational methods were combined. Specifically, a CFD model was employed to design experimental conditions that replicate the ocular flow-induced shear stress (FISS) on manufactured magnesium samples. Pure Mg samples were tested in a bioreactor system capable of imposing the ocular CFD calculated values of FISS on the Mg samples’ surface by varying the pump flow rate. Optimal flow rates for a range of different FISS values specific to the ophthalmological fluid dynamics affecting the device were indeed determined before running the experiments. After conducting customized corrosion tests, morphological observations and profilometric maps of the eroded surfaces of Mg samples were obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). These maps were then post-processed for the parametric evaluation of corrosion rates. Pre-existing localized superficial defects did affect the final corrosion pattern. SEM images and CLSM data confirmed a uniform corrosion mechanism, with corrosion rates of 1.9, 2.7, and 3.4 μm/day under different shear stress conditions (0, 0.01, and 0.032 Pa, respectively). More generally, uniform corrosion on pure Mg samples increased with higher FISS values, and at higher shear stress values (FISS = 0.032 Pa), a notable washing-out effect of the corrosion products was observed. The removal of corrosion products at higher shear stresses suggests that the dynamic ocular environment, influenced by saccadic movements, plays a significant role in the corrosion mechanism of pure magnesium. The corrosion rates determined in this study, in conjunction with clinical drug release requirements, are crucial for designing potential drug-release devices for ocular applications.