Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Intubation-mediated Intratracheal (IMIT) Instillation: A Noninvasive, Lung-specific Delivery System
08:00

Intubation-mediated Intratracheal (IMIT) Instillation: A Noninvasive, Lung-specific Delivery System

Published on: November 17, 2014

Nebulizer delivery of tobramycin to the lower respiratory tract

A Weber1, A Smith, J Williams-Warren

  • 1Cystic Fibrosis Research Cener, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98105.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|May 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

The UltraNeb 100 nebulizer effectively delivered tobramycin to the lower respiratory tract in cystic fibrosis patients, with measurable sputum drug concentrations regardless of carrier gas. Other nebulizers showed varied particle sizes and drug delivery efficiency.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmaceutical technology
  • Respiratory medicine
  • Medical device engineering

Background:

  • Cystic fibrosis (CF) management often involves inhaled antibiotics like tobramycin.
  • Optimizing aerosol delivery to the lower respiratory tract is crucial for treatment efficacy.
  • Nebulizer performance varies, impacting drug deposition and therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize tobramycin aerosol properties generated by different nebulizers.
  • To evaluate the efficiency of tobramycin delivery to the lower respiratory tract in CF patients.
  • To compare the impact of carrier gases (air vs. helox) on aerosol characteristics and drug delivery.

Main Methods:

  • Five nebulizers (Micron One, Pulmosonic, Pulmo-Aide, DeVilbiss Model 65, UltraNeb 100) were tested for aerosol particle size (MMAD) and drug output.
  • Tobramycin delivery was assessed by measuring sputum drug concentrations in CF patients.
  • Carrier gases including compressed air, helox, and ambient air were utilized.

Main Results:

  • Micron One and Pulmosonic nebulizers showed minimal or no recoverable aerosol output.
  • DeVilbiss Model 65 produced larger particles (>5.5 microns MMAD) with air, shifting to smaller particles (<5.5 microns MMAD) with helox.
  • UltraNeb 100 and Pulmo-Aide generated aerosols with >60% particles <3.3 microns MMAD with air; UltraNeb 100 achieved 98% with helox.
  • UltraNeb 100 consistently resulted in measurable sputum tobramycin in CF patients, irrespective of carrier gas.
  • Pulmo-Aide failed to produce detectable sputum tobramycin in some patients.

Conclusions:

  • Nebulizer selection significantly impacts tobramycin aerosol characteristics and delivery efficiency.
  • The UltraNeb 100 demonstrated reliable tobramycin delivery to the lower respiratory tract in CF patients.
  • Carrier gas choice (air vs. helox) influenced particle size distribution but did not yield statistically significant differences in sputum drug concentration for the UltraNeb 100.

More Related Videos

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System07:28

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Published on: April 6, 2017

A Refined Aerosol-Based Intratracheal Bleomycin Delivery Method for Reproducible and Minimally Invasive Mouse Models of Pulmonary Fibrosis05:45

A Refined Aerosol-Based Intratracheal Bleomycin Delivery Method for Reproducible and Minimally Invasive Mouse Models of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Published on: January 16, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Additional Routes of Drug Administration01:18

Additional Routes of Drug Administration

Choosing the appropriate route of drug administration is significantly influenced by two key factors: the therapeutic objectives and the inherent properties of the drug being used.
Administering drugs via inhalation allows for the direct delivery of gaseous, volatile substances or droplets to different parts of the respiratory tract. One of the advantages of the inhalation route is the rapid absorption of drugs into the circulatory system, which is possible because of the large surface area of...
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Inhaled Medications01:23

Inhaled Medications

Inhaled medications are crucial for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. They are essential for effective treatment and control, ensuring optimal respiratory health and well-being. Inhaled medication delivers drugs directly to the lungs, providing a rapid onset of action and reducing systemic side effects compared to oral or injectable medications. Three primary types of inhalation devices are used to administer these medications: nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers...
Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen01:16

Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen

Oxygen therapy is a pivotal aspect of medical care, particularly for patients with respiratory ailments. Two prominent oxygen-delivering systems include the Venturi mask and the transtracheal oxygen catheter.
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
Administering Oxygen by Nasal Cannula01:29

Administering Oxygen by Nasal Cannula

Oxygen therapy is critical to patient care, especially for those struggling with respiratory issues. This intervention increases the oxygen concentration in the lungs, enhancing the amount of oxygen transported to the body's tissues. One standard method of delivering supplemental oxygen is through a nasal cannula, a non-invasive device that provides low to medium oxygen concentrations.
Nasal Cannulas
A nasal cannula is a lightweight tube split into two prongs placed in the nostrils, connected...
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes01:22

Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes

Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection,  and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs through the...