A novel aerodynamic sizing method for pharmaceutical aerosols using image-based analysis of settling velocities

This article discusses a novel method to estimate aerodynamic particle size distributions (APSDs) of pharmaceutical aerosols through direct measurement of particle settling velocities using image-based analysis and particle tracking techniques. This simple, optical method provides accurate and fast measurements (approximately 1 minute) with few sources of bias due to specific device design choices or operation conditions. A proof-of-concept for the method is demonstrated by measuring APSDs for widely available commercial dry powder inhalers (DPIs), then comparing the results with previously published data from cascade impactors (CIs) and the Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS).