Omron NE U22: Comparison between vibrating mesh and jet nebulizer

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Vibrating mesh nebulizers offer advantages over traditional jet nebulizers.
• The Omron NE U22 is a commercially available vibrating mesh nebulizer.
• Clinical application requires understanding its performance characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Omron NE U22 vibrating mesh nebulizer for aerosol therapy.
• To compare its performance against conventional jet nebulizers.
• To assess the impact of device orientation and robustness on drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Radiolabeled albuterol was used to determine inhaled mass (IM), residual activity, and particle distribution (MMAD).
• The Omron NE U22 was tested in tilted and horizontal positions, alongside Pari LC Plus and Sidestream jet nebulizers.
• Robustness was assessed by repeating treatments 60 times with continuous operation.

Main Results:

• Inhaled mass (IM) for Omron and Pari was similar (20%) and higher than Sidestream (10%).
• Mass median aerodynamic diameters (MMADs) were comparable across devices, though Omron showed greater variability horizontally.
• Device position significantly impacted run time (tilted vs. horizontal, p=0.02), while IM and MMAD remained stable post-robustness testing.

Conclusions:

• Device orientation is critical for vibrating mesh nebulizers, influencing run time and particle distribution variability.
• The Omron NE U22 provides comparable drug delivery to efficient jet nebulizers with standard formulations and continuous operation.
• The Omron NE U22 demonstrated good tolerance to repeated use in aerosol therapy.