Abstract / Summary
Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are commonly used for pulmonary drug delivery. Their aerosolization efficiency was strongly influenced by inhaler geometry. The effect of geometric parameter modification and its impact on drug delivery and aerodynamic behavior was identified through experimental analysis. In this work, the Lupihaler’s critical geometric parameters, such as inlet width (WI), inlet height (HI), mouthpiece diameter (Dm), and mouthpiece length (Lm), were considered for improving the efficiency of the DPI. Nine design combinations were developed by modifying the dimensions of the above-mentioned parameters. Based on this design matrix, nine DPIs were developed through 3D printing technology. Then the aerodynamic characteristics were evaluated at 60 LPM by the Andersen Cascade Impactor. The findings reveal that the inhaler geometry strongly influences the aerosol behavior and drug deposition. The result indicates that the moderate inlet width and mouthpiece diameter, minimum inlet height and maximum mouthpiece length exhibited superior performance with an Fine Particle Fraction (FPF) of 61.5 ± 2.1%, Fine Particle Dose (FPD) of 11.2 ± 1.3 mg, Emitted Dose (ED) of 88.8 ± 1.4%, and MMAD of 2.04 ± 0.02 µm. The study confirms that the optimum geometry of the inhaler improves the aerosol delivery efficiency.