Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Disposable Dosators for Pulmonary Insufflation of Therapeutic Agents to Small Animals
Published on: March 30, 2017
Development of a high efficiency dry powder inhaler: effects of capsule chamber design and inhaler surface
Srinivas R B Behara1, Dale R Farkas, Michael Hindle
1Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 West Main Street, P.O. Box 843015, Richmond, Virginia, 23284-3015, USA.
Purpose:
The objective of this study was to explore the performance of a high efficiency dry powder inhaler (DPI) intended for excipient enhanced growth (EEG) aerosol delivery based on changes to the capsule orientation and surface modifications of the capsule and device.
Methods:
DPIs were constructed by combining newly designed capsule chambers (CC) with a previously developed three-dimensional (3D) rod array for particle deagglomeration and a previously optimized EEG formulation. The new CCs oriented the capsule perpendicular to the incoming airflow and were analyzed for different air inlets at a constant pressure drop across the device. Modifications to the inhaler and capsule surfaces included use of metal dispersion rods and surface coatings. Aerosolization performance of the new DPIs was evaluated and compared with commercial devices.
Results:
The proposed capsule orientation and motion pattern increased capsule vibrational frequency and reduced the aerosol MMAD compared with commercial/modified DPIs. The use of metal rods in the 3D array further improved inhaler performance. Coating the inhaler and capsule with PTFE significantly increased emitted dose (ED) from the optimized DPI.
Conclusions:
High efficiency performance is achieved for EEG delivery with the optimized DPI device and formulation combination producing an aerosol with MMAD < 1.5 μm, FPF<5 μm/ED > 90%, and ED > 80%.
Related Concept Videos
Inhaled Medications
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Formulation and Manufacturing Process: Physical Attributes of Generic Tablets and Capsules
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Introduction
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Pharmaceutical Parameters

