This work presents a droplet applicator module to generate stable droplets with different muzzle energies for the reproducible endoscopic stimulation of the laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR). The LAR is a protective reflex of the human larynx; an abnormal LAR performance may cause aspiration pneumonia. A pathological LAR can be detected by evaluating its onset latency. The reflex can be triggered by shooting a droplet onto the laryngeal mucosa, which is referred to as Microdroplet Impulse Testing of the LAR (MIT-LAR). Stimulation intensity variation is desired as the reflex threshold may vary inter-individually. The kinetic energy of a droplet after detachment from the nozzle, i.e., its muzzle energy, is considered an appropriate metric for the LAR stimulation intensity. In this work, a suitable nozzle channel geometry is identified based on the experimental evaluation of droplet formation using three different nozzle channel geometries. Two nontoxic additives are evaluated regarding their effect on fluid properties and droplet formation. The range of achievable droplet muzzle energies is determined by high-speed cinematography in association with a physically motivated model of the macroscopic droplet motion. The experimental results show that sodium chloride is a suitable additive to enhance droplet stability in the studied parameter range with the proposed system. Droplet muzzle energy variation from 0.02 J to 1.37 J was achieved while preserving the formation of a single stimulation droplet. These results are an important prerequisite for a safe and reproducible LAR stimulation by MIT-LAR, which could also help to further elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying this laryngeal reflex.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0004351 | DOI Listing |
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
January 2025
Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India.
Bacterial bots are potent vehicles in cancer theranostics where bacteria are used typically as cargos for drug delivery. However, living bacteria themselves may aid in their efficiency in killing the tissues. For example, living bacteria may be functionalized with magnetic and luminescent nanoparticles along with drugs in order to achieve the targeted delivery and release of payloads that would include the bacteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Pharm Sci
January 2025
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address:
Dry eye disease is a multifactorial condition characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film. Among the various treatment approaches, the application of ophthalmic oil-in-water nanoemulsions with incorporated anti-inflammatory drugs represents one of the most advanced approaches. However, the liquid nature of nanoemulsions limits their retention time at the ocular surface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComput Methods Programs Biomed
January 2025
Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Background And Objective: Coughing events are eruptive sources of virus-laden droplets/droplet nuclei. These increase the risk of infection in susceptible individuals during airborne transmission. The oral cavity functions as an exit route for exhaled droplets.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Chem Soc
January 2025
National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Ice melting, a common yet complex phenomenon, remains incompletely understood. While theoretical studies suggest that preexisting defects in ice generate "off-lattice" water molecules, triggering bulk ice melting, direct experimental evidence of their form has been lacking as the transparent and transient nature of ice poses significant challenges for observation with current techniques. Here, we introduce an ice-melting-induced lyophilization (IMIL) technique that employs graphene-based nanoprobes to replicate and track liquid evolution within melting bulk ice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Nano
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
A surfactant is an efficient and common additive used to enhance the spreading of droplets on hydrophobic surfaces. However, a high surfactant concentration is required to achieve the desired performance, resulting in environmental pollution and increased costs. Additionally, the pesticide loading capacity of surfactants at low concentrations (below their critical micelle concentrations) is a concern.
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