A hybrid in vitro in silico framework for albuterol delivery through an adult ventilator circuit to a patient-specific lung airway model

• Published in: Journal of aerosol science Vol. 158; p. 105844
• Main Authors: Rajendran, Rahul R., Kumaran, Sathyanand, Banerjee, Arindam, Berlinski, Ariel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2021
• Subjects: Bronchodilators; Computational fluid dynamics; Mechanical ventilation; Nebulizer; Particle size; Pharmaceutical aerosol; Bronchodilators; Particle size; Pharmaceutical aerosol; Computational fluid dynamics; Mechanical ventilation; Nebulizer
• ISSN: 0021-8502; 1879-1964
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2021.105844

An integrated in vitro in silico approach was employed to investigate albuterol administration to an adult lung airway. Particle size characterization of aerosolized albuterol generated by a jet- and vibrating mesh nebulizer was evaluated in vitro using an adult ventilator circuit that consisted of an endotracheal tube (ETT) connected to a cooled Next Generation Impactor. The aerosol particle size distribution sampled by spectrophotometry was used to predict particle deposition in an in silico patient-specific seven-generation airway model using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A Lagrangian particle tracking algorithm was used to investigate the effect of nebulizer type and position on drug delivery and compare the efficacy of drug administration through endotracheal intubation and oral route. A vibrating mesh nebulizer produced a larger lung dose than the jet nebulizer, with the aerosol characteristics being dependent on the location of the nebulizer in the ventilator circuit. The CFD analysis showed that the vibrating mesh nebulizer placed at the ventilator had a lower global and local deposition fraction down to the 7th airway generation with higher penetration beyond. Besides, delivery through the ETT was more efficient than oral delivery for the studied conditions. Particle deposition patterns in the various lung lobes were evaluated. Placement of the nebulizer in an adult ventilator circuit could target different areas of the lung. [Display omitted] •Albuterol administration is investigated through an integrated in vitro in silico approach.•Role of nebulizer type and location on aerosol distribution and delivery is explored.•Endotracheal and oral routes of drug administration in an adult airway model are compared.•Vibrating mesh nebulizer placed at the ventilator results in deeper drug penetration.•Identify nebulizer operating conditions and administration routes to optimize drug delivery.