Production of Highly Charged Pharmaceutical Aerosols Using a New Aerosol Induction Charger

• Published in: Pharmaceutical research Vol. 32; no. 9; pp. 3007 - 3017
• Main Authors: Golshahi, Laleh, Longest, P. Worth, Holbrook, Landon, Snead, Jessica, Hindle, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.09.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Aerosols; Aerosols - chemistry; Albuterol - chemistry; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedicine; Bronchodilator Agents - chemistry; Charged particles; Drug delivery systems; Excipients - chemistry; Lung - drug effects; Medical Law; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Particle Size; Pharmacology; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacy; Research Paper; Respiratory diseases; charged particle generation; charged submicrometer aerosols; respiratory drug delivery; induction charging; pharmaceutical aerosols
• ISSN: 0724-8741; 1573-904X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11095-015-1682-6

Purpose Properly charged particles can be used for effective lung targeting of pharmaceutical aerosols. The objective of this study was to characterize the performance of a new induction charger that operates with a mesh nebulizer for the production of highly charged submicrometer aerosols to bypass the mouth-throat and deliver clinically relevant doses of medications to the lungs. Methods Variables of interest included combinations of model drug (albuterol sulfate) and charging excipient (NaCl) as well as strength of the charging field (1–5 kV/cm). Aerosol charge and size were measured using a modified electrical low pressure impactor system combined with high performance liquid chromatography. Results At the approximate mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of the aerosol (~0.4 μm), the induction charge on the particles was an order of magnitude above the field and diffusion charge limit. The nebulization rate was 439.3 ± 42.9 μl/min, which with a 0.1%  w/v solution delivered 419.5 ± 34.2 μg of medication per minute. A new correlation was developed to predict particle charge produced by the induction charger. Conclusions The combination of the aerosol induction charger and predictive correlations will allow for the practical generation and control of charged submicrometer aerosols for targeting deposition within the lungs.