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The Effect of Actuator Nozzle Designs on the Electrostatic Charge Generated in Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler Aerosols

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the influence of different actuator nozzle designs on aerosol electrostatic charges and aerosol performances for pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs).

Methods

Four actuator nozzle designs (flat, curved flat, cone and curved cone) were manufactured using insulating thermoplastics (PET and PTFE) and conducting metal (aluminium) materials. Aerosol electrostatic profiles of solution pMDI formulations containing propellant HFA 134a with different ethanol concentration and/or model drug beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) were studied using a modified electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI) for all actuator designs and materials. The mass of the deposited drug was analysed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results

Both curved nozzle designs for insulating PET and PTFE actuators significantly influenced aerosol electrostatics and aerosol performance compared with conducting aluminium actuator, where reversed charge polarity and higher throat deposition were observed with pMDI formulation containing BDP. Results are likely due to the changes in plume geometry caused by the curved edge nozzle designs and the bipolar charging nature of insulating materials.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that actuator nozzle designs could significantly influence the electrostatic charges profiles and aerosol drug deposition pattern of pMDI aerosols, especially when using insulating thermoplastic materials where bipolar charging is more dominant.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School,, The University of Sydney, Sydney,, NSW, 2037, Australia

    Yang Chen, Paul M. Young & Daniela Traini

  2. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,, The University of Sydney, Sydney,, NSW, 2006, Australia

    David F. Fletcher

  3. Advanced Drug Delivery Group, Faculty of Pharmacy (A15),, University of Sydney, Sydney,, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Hak Kim Chan

  4. Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough,, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom

    Edward Long

  5. Chiesi Ltd, Units T1 - T3, Bath Rd. Ind. Est., Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 0AB, United Kingdom

    David Lewis & Tanya Church

Authors
  1. Yang Chen
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  2. Paul M. Young
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  3. David F. Fletcher
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  4. Hak Kim Chan
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  5. Edward Long
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  6. David Lewis
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  7. Tanya Church
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  8. Daniela Traini
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Correspondence to Daniela Traini.

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Chen, Y., Young, P.M., Fletcher, D.F. et al. The Effect of Actuator Nozzle Designs on the Electrostatic Charge Generated in Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler Aerosols. Pharm Res 32, 1237–1248 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-014-1529-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-014-1529-6

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