Conference Proceedings
December 2002 / Volume 47 / Number 12 / Page 1434
Smart Nebulizers
IntroductionPhysicians are familiar with conventional nebulizers, which deliver aerosols in a relatively uncontrolled manner. As aerosol medications evolve beyond bronchodilators, the need for control of dose variability, the possibility of overdose, and the need for efficient delivery have provoked the industry to redesign aerosol delivery systems. The need to target aerosol delivery to specific lung regions has focused efforts to coordinate aerosol delivery with defined breathing maneuvers. This review summarizes the major factors affecting aerosol deposition, discusses how those factors are guiding new designs for aerosol delivery systems, and describes some examples of the improved precision and efficiency of those systems.
Principles
Oropharyngeal Deposition
Deposition in the Deep Lung
Variability in Particle Deposition
Smart Nebulizers
Breath Actuation
Control of Dose During Tidal Breathing (Adaptive Aerosol Delivery)
"Slow and Deep" Aerosol Delivery Systems
Summary
Key words: nebulization, nebulizer, aerosol, lung deposition.
[Respir Care 2002;47(12):1434–1441]
Introduction
As aerosol delivery systems, nebulizers typically deliver aerosols continuously while the patient breathes tidally. Advances in aerosol device development involve both changes to aerosol-generating technology and a direct interaction between the device and the patient. To understand this interaction it is useful to review the basic factors that affect the clinical delivery and deposition of aerosols. This review focuses on physiologic factors that affect deposition and how those factors have been incorporated into "smarter" aerosol delivery systems.
