High-Speed Laser Image Analysis of Plume Angles for Pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers: The Effect of Nozzle Geometry.
The aim of this study is to investigate aerosol plume geometries of pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) using a high-speed laser image system with different actuator nozzle materials and designs. Actuators made from aluminium, PET and PTFE were manufactured with four different nozzle designs: cone, flat, curved cone and curved flat. Plume angles and spans generated using the designed actuator nozzles with four solution-based pMDI formulations were imaged using Oxford Lasers EnVision system and analysed using EnVision Patternate software. Reduced plume angles for all actuator materials and nozzle designs were observed with pMDI formulations containing drug with high co-solvent concentration (ethanol) due to the reduced vapour pressure. Significantly higher plume angles were observed with the PTFE flat nozzle across all formulations, which could be a result of the nozzle geometry and material's hydrophobicity. The plume geometry of pMDI aerosols can be influenced by the vapour pressure of the formulation, nozzle geometries and actuator material physiochemical properties.
Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2037, Australia.
Yang
Y
Chen
Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2037, Australia.
Paul M
PM
Young
Oxford Lasers Ltd, Unit 8, Moorbrook Park, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK.
Seamus
S
Murphy
School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
David F
DF
Fletcher
Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK.
Edward
E
Long
Chiesi Ltd, Units T1 - T3, Bath Rd. Ind. Est., Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 0AB, UK.
David
D
Lewis
Chiesi Ltd, Units T1 - T3, Bath Rd. Ind. Est., Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 0AB, UK.
Tanya
T
Church
Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2037, Australia. Daniela.traini@sydney.edu.au.
Daniela
D
Traini
D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007834:Lasers; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D010316:Particle Size; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
D000336:Aerosols; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D012997:Solvents
aerosol; electrostatics; electrostatics nozzle designs; plume geometry