Influence of realistic airflow rate on aerosol generation by nebulizers

Mathematical models are available which predict aerosol deposition in the respiratory system assuming that the aerosol concentration and size are constant during inhalation. In this study, we constructed a sinusoidal breathing model to calculate the aerosol concentration produced by a nebulizer as a function of inhalation time. The laser diffraction technique (Spraytec, Malvern Instruments Ltd., Malvern, UK) was used to validate this model as it allows the aerosol concentration and particle size to be measured in real time. Each nebulizer was attached to a special glass measurement cell and a sine-wave pump. Two standard jet nebulizers (Mistyneb and Microneb), two breath-enhanced jet nebulizers (Pari LC+ and Atomisor NL9M) and three mesh nebulizers (Eflow, Aeroneb Go and Aeroneb Pro with Idehaler) were characterized. Results obtained were consistent in terms of curve profile between the proposed model and the laser diffraction measurements. The standard jet and mesh nebulizers produced significant variations in aerosol concentration during inhalation, whereas the breath-enhanced jet nebulizers produced a constant aerosol concentration. All of the nebulizers produced a relatively constant particle size distribution. Our findings confirm that the concentration observed during inhalation is often not constant over time. The laser diffraction method allows the concentration and size of particles for each unit volume of air inhaled to be measured and could therefore be used to predict the aerosol deposition pattern more precisely.