Aerosol Delivery Devices for Obstructive Lung Diseases

Abstract

Drug delivery by inhalation is the principal strategy to treat obstructive lung diseases, which affect about 15% of the population in the United States. Aerosol delivery devices have evolved over more than 60 years from the basic pressurized metered-dose inhaler and nebulizer to numerous types of inhalers and devices, including valved holder chambers, dry powder inhalers, soft mist inhalers, as well as smart inhalers and nebulizers. Although these devices improve a patient's ability to self-administer medication, many problems with optimal delivery still exist. Appropriate selection and repeated patient education can help lessen the problems with these devices. Aerosol science is evolving, with methods of measurement that include radio-scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging, to provide a better understanding of aerosol delivery and effects. Understanding the science and clinical application of aerosol drug delivery can substantially aid clinicians in optimizing these therapies for their patients.

Promoting Safe and Effective Use of Aerosol Devices in Covid-19:risks and Suggestions for Viral Transmission

“…However, errors in using DPIs still exist due to inadequate inspiratory effort needed to deliver the drug to the patient. The inspiratory effort required for effective drug delivery varies with each DPI [6]. While forceful inspirations draw the medication from the inhaler and disperse drug particles within the respirable range, they may cause cough or airway irritation that increases the distance of exhaled air dispersion and the risk of viral transmission in the era of COVID-19 [3,4].…”

<p>Nebulized Therapies in COPD: Past, Present, and the Future</p>

“…Aerosol particle size is one of the most important determinants of drug deposition in the lungs. 15 Each inhalation device has specificities on how to prepare the dose and deliver the drug into the airways, determining the consequent density and size of the particles generated ( Figure 1 ). 16 Aerosol particle size is usually described based on mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), and the optimum MMAD range is 1–5 µm.…”

Novel drug delivery systems and significance in respiratory diseases

“…When the drug particles reach the air, the difference between the boiling temperature of the formulation and the room temperature leads to the formation of aerosolized droplets due to evaporation. The aerosolized particle size varies from product to product [27] .…”