Acoustically-driven drug delivery to maxillary sinuses: Aero-acoustic analysis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics
• Acoustics

Background:

• Acoustically-driven drug delivery (ADD) offers a non-invasive method for targeted treatment.
• Efficient drug delivery to the human maxillary sinus (MS) is crucial for treating sinus infections and diseases.
• Optimizing ADD parameters is essential for maximizing therapeutic efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of aero-acoustic parameters on the efficiency of acoustically-driven drug delivery to the human maxillary sinus.
• To determine the influence of acoustic frequency, amplitude, and inlet mean flow rate on drug delivery efficacy.
• To identify key parameters for enhancing drug transport within the maxillary sinus.

Main Methods:

• Utilized direct computational aero-acoustics simulations.
• Employed a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for analysis.
• Investigated particle transport using the discrete phase model under acoustic excitation.

Main Results:

• The amplitude of air plug oscillation in the ostium is the most critical factor for ADD efficiency in the MS.
• Maximal oscillation amplitude, and thus drug delivery, occurs when the nasal cavity and MS are at resonance.
• Higher inlet acoustic wave amplitude directly correlates with increased drug delivery efficiency.
• Inlet mean airflow rate negatively impacts the efficiency of drug delivery to the MS.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing acoustic wave amplitude and minimizing airflow are key for effective acoustically-driven drug delivery to the maxillary sinus.
• Resonance conditions significantly enhance drug particle deposition within the MS.
• Applying acoustic fields without mean flow after particle distribution yields superior drug delivery outcomes.