Spray Inhaler Research Could Lead to Improved Drug Delivery Devices

Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory,in collaboration with researchers from Australia and Italy, are using vehicle fuel injector investigation techniques to study spray inhalers. The study aims to improve upon current medical spray devices and enable inhalers to deliver more types of drugs.

The research team composes of principal investigator, Daniel Duke and Alan Kastengren from Argonne, in coordination with Professor Damon Honnery from Monash University’s Laboratory for Turbulence Research in Aerospace & Combustion, Professors Paul Young and Daniela Traini from the Respiratory Technology Group in Sydney, and Dave Lewis from CheisiFarmaceuticiS.p.A. in Italy.

Drug delivery via inhaler involves a complex interaction between chemistry, physics, and thermodynamics to successfully supply medication to the lungs. To better understand this process, Duke and his team used X-raysfrom the world’s only dedicated fuel-injection beamline at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) to investigate the inner workings of the sprays. These x-rays are able to penetrate highly dense sprays and provide detailed elements of the spray breakup process. By using a drug that fluoresces in the presences of X-rays, the researchers were able to measure active distribution of the spray.

Initial findings from the study have shown high variability in turbulent structure of the spray, as opposed to the thermodynamic prediction of the spray’s uniform behavior. Additionally, the researchers found that the devices were less dense than previously predicted.

According to Duke, the advent of this new study opens up new opportunities to create a better designed inhaler that allows for precise and repeatable dosages. It could also mean more accurate drug delivery without device modification for patients with impaired lungs.

“Part of the objective is simply gaining a better understanding of the basic science behind these very common devices, but there is also a very practical gain that could be realized through this research,” Said Duke. “A more effective spray device could be a real game-changer for medicine.”

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