Relative precision of inhaler aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) metrics by full resolution and abbreviated andersen cascade impactors (ACIs): part 2--investigation of bias in extra-fine mass fraction with AIM-HRT impactor.

The purpose of this study was to resolve an anomalously high measure of extra-fine particle fraction (EPF) determined by the abbreviated cascade impactor possibly relevant for human respiratory tract (AIM-HRT) in the experiment described in Part 1 of this two-part series, in which the relative precision of abbreviated impactors was evaluated in comparison with a full resolution Andersen eight-stage cascade impactor (ACI). Evidence that the surface coating used to mitigate particle bounce was laterally displaced by the flow emerging from the jets of the lower stage was apparent upon microscopic examination of the associated collection plate of the AIM-HRT impactor whose cut point size defines EPF. A filter soaked in surfactant was floated on top of this collection plate, and further measurements were made using the same pressurized metered-dose inhaler-based formulation and following the same procedure as in Part 1. Measures of EPF, fine particle, and coarse particle fractions were comparable with those obtained with the ACI, indicating that the cause of the bias had been identified and removed. When working with abbreviated impactors, this precaution is advised whenever there is evidence that surface coating displacement has occurred, a task that can be readily accomplished by microscopic inspection of all collection plates after allowing the impactor to sample ambient air for a few minutes.

Relative precision of inhaler aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) metrics by full resolution and abbreviated andersen cascade impactors (ACIs): part 1.

The purpose of this study was to compare relative precision of two different abbreviated impactor measurement (AIM) systems and a traditional multi-stage cascade impactor (CI). The experimental design was chosen to provide separate estimates of variability for each impactor type. Full-resolution CIs are useful for characterizing the aerosol aerodynamic particle size distribution of orally inhaled products during development but are too cumbersome, time-consuming, and resource-intensive for other applications, such as routine quality control (QC). This article presents a proof-of-concept experiment, where two AIM systems configured to provide metrics pertinent to QC (QC-system) and human respiratory tract (HRT-system) were evaluated using a hydrofluoroalkane-albuterol pressurized metered dose inhaler. The Andersen eight-stage CI (ACI) served as the benchmark apparatus. The statistical design allowed estimation of precision with each CI configuration. Apart from one source of systematic error affecting extra-fine particle fraction from the HRT-system, no other bias was detected with either abbreviated system. The observed bias was shown to be caused by particle bounce following the displacement of surfactant by the shear force of the airflow diverging above the collection plate of the second impaction stage. A procedure was subsequently developed that eliminated this source of error, as described in the second article of this series (submitted to AAPS PharmSciTech). Measurements obtained with both abbreviated impactors were very similar in precision to the ACI for all measures of in vitro performance evaluated. Such abbreviated impactors can therefore be substituted for the ACI in certain situations, such as inhaler QC or add-on device testing.

A novel, versatile valved holding chamber for delivering inhaled medications to neonates and small children: laboratory simulation of delivery options.

BACKGROUND: Delivery of bronchodilator to infants and small children from a pressurized metered-dose inhaler with valved holding chamber (pMDI-VHC) is limited by airway narrowness, short respiratory cycle time, and small tidal volume (V(T)). There is a need for a versatile, efficient VHC, given the variety of treatment modalities. METHODS: We tested the AeroChamber Mini VHC (the internal geometry of which is optimized for aerosol delivery, and which accepts a pMDI canister that has a dose counter) in experiments to determine differences in the delivery of hydrofluoroalkane-propelled albuterol (90 microg/actuation) during: mechanical ventilation via endotracheal tube (ETT); manual resuscitation via ETT; and spontaneous breathing via face mask. We tested 5 units of the AeroChamber Mini VHC per test. We simulated the tidal breathing of a premature neonate (V(T) 6 mL), a term neonate (V(T) 20 mL), and a child approximately 2 years old (V(T) 60 mL). We collected the aerosol on an electret filter and quantitatively assayed for albuterol. RESULTS: The total emitted mass of albuterol per actuation that exited the VHC was marginally greater during spontaneous breathing (12.1 +/- 1.8 microg) than during manual resuscitation (10.0 +/- 1.1 microg) (P = .046). Albuterol delivery via mechanical ventilation, though comparable with the premature-neonate model (3.3 +/- 1.2 microg), the term-neonate model (3.8 +/- 2.1 microg), and the 2-y-old-child model (4.2 +/- 2.3 microg) (P = .63), was significantly lower than in the spontaneous-breathing and manual-resuscitation models (P < .001). In the neonatal models the total emitted mass was similar with the spontaneous-breathing model (6.0 +/- 1.0 microg with the premature-neonate model, 10.5 +/- 0.7 microg with the term-neonate model) and the manual-resuscitation model (5.5 +/- 0.3 microg premature-neonate model, 10.7 +/- 0.9 microg term-neonate model) (P > or = .46 via one-way analysis of variance). CONCLUSION: The reduced delivery of albuterol during mechanical ventilation (compared to during spontaneous breathing and manual resuscitation via ETT) was probably associated with the saturated atmosphere in the breathing circuit (37 degrees C, relative humidity > 99%), compared to the ambient air (22 +/- 1 degrees C, 44 +/- 7% relative humidity). The AeroChamber Mini VHC may provide a versatile alternative to VHCs that are designed exclusively for one aerosol treatment modality.