title: In vitro characteristics of tobramycin aerosol from ultrasonic and jet nebulizers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the in vitro performance of an ultrasonic nebulizer and a jet nebulizer in producing a respirable aerosol of tobramycin solution for injection.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro observational study
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasonic and jet nebulizers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Output was determined by measuring the difference in nebulizer weight before and after nebulizing 3 ml of tobramycin injection solution. Mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and respirable mass were determined by sampling tobramycin aerosol into a cascade impactor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (SD) output was 1.14 (0.09) ml/minute for the ultrasonic nebulizer and 0.64 (0.08) ml/minute (p<0.001) for the jet nebulizer. Mean MMAD for the jet nebulizer (2.31 [0.10] microm) was less than that of the ultrasonic nebulizer (2.81 [0.17] microm, p<0.001). The majority of tobramycin aerosol produced was in the respirable range for both the ultrasonic (65.1% [4.10%]) and jet (60.6% [0.73%], p=0.008) nebulizers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite small, clinically unimportant differences in aerosol size and respirable fraction, either device would be acceptable to administer tobramycin injection solution.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainsville, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Asmus
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Milavetz
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Tice
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Teresi
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010316:Particle Size; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014031:Tobramycin