Characterization of Spray-Dried Powders Using a Coated Alberta Idealized Nasal Inlet.

Dry powders offer the potential to increase stability and reduce cold-chain requirements associated with the distribution of vaccines and other thermally sensitive products. The Alberta Idealized Nasal Inlet (AINI) is a representative geometry for characterization of nasal products that may prove useful in examining intranasal delivery of powders. Spray-dried trehalose powders were loaded at 10, 20, and 40 mg doses into active single-dose devices.

Computational Prediction of the Interaction of Ivermectin with Fibrinogen.

Hypercoagulability and formation of extensive and difficult-to-lyse microclots are a hallmark of both acute COVID-19 and long COVID. Fibrinogen, when converted to fibrin, is responsible for clot formation, but abnormal structural and mechanical clot properties can lead to pathologic thrombosis. Recent experimental evidence suggests that the spike protein (SP) from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may directly bind to the blood coagulation factor fibrinogen and induce structurally abnormal blood clots with heightened proinflammatory activity.

Variability in low-flow oxygen delivery by nasal cannula evaluated in neonatal and infant airway replicas.

Background: The nasal cannula is considered a trusted and effective means of administering low-flow oxygen and is widely used for neonates and infants requiring oxygen therapy, despite an understanding that oxygen concentrations delivered to patients are variable.

Methods: In the present study, realistic nasal airway replicas derived from medical scans of children less than 3 months old were used to measure the fraction of oxygen inhaled (FiO) through nasal cannulas during low-flow oxygen delivery. Parameters influencing variability in FiO were evaluated, as was the hypothesis that measured FiO values could be predicted using a simple, flow-weighted calculation that assumes ideal mixing of oxygen with entrained room air.

Using Filters to Estimate Regional Lung Deposition with Pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers.

Purpose: To evaluate the suitability of a recently proposed apparatus that uses filters to directly fractionate the in vitro lung dose into regional deposition estimates for use with pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) devices as a less resource intensive alternative to cascade impaction.

Methods: Using three commercially available pMDI devices (Asmanex HFA, Ventolin HFA, QVAR), regional deposition estimates were measured directly using the filter-based apparatus (FBA). Regional deposition estimates were also generated for the same inhalers by performing cascade impaction measurements and inputting the results to an in silico regional deposition model.

Characterization of dry powder inhaler performance through experimental methods.

Experimental methods provide means for the quality control of existing DPIs and for exploring the influence of formulation and device parameters well in advance of clinical trials for novel devices and formulations. In this review, we examine the state of the art of in vitro testing of DPIs, with a focus primarily on the development of accurate in vitro-in vivo correlations. Aspects of compendial testing are discussed, followed by the influence of flow profiles on DPI performance, the characterization of extrathoracic deposition using mouth-throat geometries, and the characterization of regional thoracic deposition.

Spray Dried Rugose Lipid Particle Platform for Respiratory Drug Delivery.

Purpose: To develop a new lipid-based particle formulation platform for respiratory drug delivery applications. To find processing conditions for high surface rugosity and manufacturability. To assess the applicability of the new formulation method to different lipids.

Using Filters to Estimate Regional Lung Deposition with Dry Powder Inhalers.

Purpose: To develop an in vitro method to rapidly evaluate regional lung doses delivered by pharmaceutical inhalers. Currently, cascade impactor measurements are used, but these are resource intensive and require significant post processing of in vitro data to arrive at regional deposition estimates.

Methods: We present a specialized filter apparatus that mimics tracheobronchial (TB) deposition of pharmaceutical aerosols emitted by commercially available dry powder inhalers (DPIs).

Dry Powder Inhaler Delivery of Tobramycin in In Vitro Models of Tracheostomized Children.

Background: Pediatric tracheostomies are not uncommon and aerosols allow for targeted lung therapy. However, there is little literature that quantifies aerosol delivery through tracheostomies. Nebulizers are commonly used in delivering tobramycin, but there are drawbacks, for example, time burden.