Abstract
Abstract Optical microscope images can be useful to evaluate nebulizers considering the size of droplets Introduction:produced by these devices. From this perspective, the proposed method was compared to the classic concept of Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) for the ideal droplet size between 0.5-5.5 µm. Methods: We tested a sample of five home nebulizers sold on the Brazilian market. A high-speed camera coupled to a microscope obtained images of the droplets during the nebulization process, which allowed us to characterize the diameter of the aero-dispersed droplets. The Count Median Aerodynamic Diameter (CMAD) was used as measurement parameter. Results: The images obtained during the nebulization process with the five different nebulizers provided data to determine the frequency distribution of the aero-dispersed droplet population. Successive images were obtained in the range of 2.0s to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the droplets. The generated data also allowed the elaboration of histograms emphasizing the ideal diameter range of droplets between 0.5 and 5.5 μm.
Highlights
Optical microscope images can be useful to evaluate nebulizers considering the size of droplets produced by these devices
As already mentioned, tests of devices using Cascade Impactor (CI) and Laser Diffraction (LD) are first calibrated using optical microscopes (Mitchell and Nagel, 2004). It could be concluded at first glance that digital processing of microscopy images of the aerosol produced by nebulizers would give unquestionable result
Assuming that the population of droplets generated by the nebulization process has a high degree of polydispersity, it can be concluded that the performance of the investigated nebulizers approaches, as promised, the numbers indicated in the manuals; 2
Summary
Optical microscope images can be useful to evaluate nebulizers considering the size of droplets produced by these devices From this perspective, the proposed method was compared to the classic concept of Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) for the ideal droplet size between 0.5-5.5 μm. Conclusion: The Direct Laminar Incidence (DLI) model using digital image processing technique allowed the characterization of respirable particles This model proposes the creation of a range of optimum absorption of the droplets by the respiratory tract. The delivery of drugs directly into the alveoli by nasal or oral inhalation has the advantage
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