Analyzer features at Conference

Malvern Instruments' Spraytec particle size analyzer is to feature in the forthcoming Drug Delivery to the Lungs Conference taking place n 9th and 10th December 2004.

Malvern Instruments' Spraytec particle size analyzer is proving to be a highly effective tool in the pharmaceutical industry for assessing the dynamics of drug delivery in nasal sprays, nebulizers, metered dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers.

It features in three presentations at the forthcoming Drug Delivery to the Lungs Conference which takes place on 9th and 10th December 2004 at the Church House Conference Centre in Westminster, London, UK.

The optimization of particle dispersion during the use of dry powder inhalers is an important aspect of drug delivery to the lungs.

Researchers at Bath University (Bath, UK) have worked with Vectura .

(Chippenham, UK) in developing carrier-free dry powder formulations.

In their presentation the use of different particle coatings in controlling powder dispensability will be discussed.

Here the Spraytec has been key in understanding the processes of powder aerosolisation and dispersion in real-time during the actuation of the inhaler.

In the case of nasal sprays, draft guidance issued by the FDA (Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Studies for Nasal Aerosols and Nasal Sprays for Local Action) encourages the use of automated actuation when performing in vitro characterization, as this decreases operator-induced variability.

Researchers from Next Breath, LLC (Baltimore, Maryland, US) and Image Therm (Sudbury, Massachusetts, US) assert that the challenge is to identify actuation parameters that are representative of the patient population's actuation profile.

They will present the results of a study in which volunteers actuated different types of pump.

Actuation profiles were determined and used in the development of methods for spray measurement using the Spraytec system.

The study examines the effects of actuation parameters on spray weight, droplet size, spray pattern and plume geometry.

Validation is the subject of a case study presentation by scientists at Bespak (Milton Keynes, UK www.bespak.co.uk) where a successful in-house validation process for laser diffraction sizing of aerosols will be described.

The issues involved, and the identification of an experimental series to fulfil specific needs, as well as the determination of meaningful acceptance criteria, will all be covered.

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