Intelligent Nebulizers in the Age of the Internet: The I-neb Adaptive Aerosol Delivery (AAD) System

Abstract

The I-neb Adaptive Aerosol Delivery (AAD) System is among the most technologically advanced and sophisticated nebulizer systems in clinical use. In the United States, the I-neb AAD System is approved for the delivery of inhaled iloprost, whereas in Europe it is approved as a multipurpose nebulizer that is employed for specific applications where it is included in the drug license. This special supplement is sponsored by Philips Respironics (UK) Ltd, and contains eight articles that comprehensively review technical details of the I-neb AAD System and provide data on patient use in domiciliary settings.(1–8) This issue, focused exclusively on a single aerosol delivery device, is a unique publication for the Journal. Hopefully, this will be a harbinger of other supplements to follow so that the medical community may learn detailed and peer-reviewed information about newer aerosol delivery devices. Conventional nebulizers have several well-recognized drawbacks that make them unsuitable for administration of therapy with expensive medications, especially those that require precise dosing.(9) The unique features of the I-neb AAD System overcome many shortcomings of conventional nebulizers.(1) Some of the distinctive features of the I-neb AAD System are its ability to provide: (1) precise dosing, (2) feedback to the patient, (3) ability to log information about device use and performance, and (4) data for transmission over the Internet to remotely monitor patient's adherence to the drug regimen and device performance.(1,3)