University of Tours (France) Uses Malvern Spraytec to Develop Better Inhalation Products
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Malvern, UK: Researchers from the University of Tours (INSERM U618) in France are using a Spraytec laser diffraction particle size analyzer from Malvern Instruments to study nebuliser performance in real time. By understanding how aerosol concentration and droplet size vary during an inhalation cycle, the group expects to be able to develop new devices with better drug delivery characteristics.
Using a Spraytec system, the research team conducted an experimental study of commercially available standard jet, breath-enhanced jet and mesh nebulisers. The results revealed that aerosol concentration varies significantly during the breathing cycle; droplet size also varies, but to a lesser extent. Device design has a marked influence on performance. The data are proving valuable in developing systems that maximise the amount of drug delivered that is of the ideal particle size for deposition at a specified site, and have been used to validate a new model of nebuliser performance.
The research group works with laboratories and hospitals to develop new delivery devices and also offers an evaluation service for those bringing new inhalation products to market. "Spraytec is one of the core analytical systems underpinning the group's capabilities," says Dr Laurent Vecellio, researcher at the University of Tours. "With a data acquisition rate in excess of 2.5 KHz and the ability to simultaneously measure particle size and concentration, Spraytec is suitable for the real-time characterization of all inhaled products, delivering insight that is not accessible using conventional analytical techniques."
The group is applying the system's unique capabilities to the real-time characterization of all inhaled products, enabling the development of new products with superior drug delivery characteristics.
For more information about Spraytec visit: www.malvern.com/spraytec
About Malvern Instruments
Malvern Instruments provides a range of complementary materials characterization tools that deliver inter-related measurements reflecting the complexities of particulates and disperse systems, nanomaterials and macromolecules. Analytical instruments from Malvern are used in the characterization of a wide variety of materials, from industrial bulk powders to nanomaterials and delicate macromolecules. A broad portfolio of innovative technologies is combined with intelligent, user-friendly software. These systems deliver industrially relevant data enabling our customers to make the connection between micro (such as particle size) and macro (bulk) material properties (rheology) and chemical composition (chemical imaging).
Particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, molecular weight, chemical composition and rheological properties measurements are now joined by advanced chromatography solutions (GPC/SEC), extending Malvern's technologies for protein molecular weight, size and aggregation measurements, and synthetic polymer molecular weight and distribution. The company's laboratory, at-line, on-line and in-line solutions are proven in sectors as diverse as cement production and pharmaceutical drug discovery.
Headquartered in Malvern, UK, Malvern Instruments has subsidiary organizations in all major European markets, North America, China, Korea and Japan, a joint venture in India, a global distributor network and applications laboratories around the world. www.malvern.com
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