Disaggregation of the agglomerates during releasing from the inhaler

Abstract

The air velocity is directly related to the flow rate of the inspiratory flow, which on the one hand characterizes the inhalation device, on the other hand – the capabilities of the patient. Considering that the inhaler channel has a complex geometric shape, it is the flow that is the most important parameter of the inhalation process, which is used in practice. An experimental study of the dependence of degradability of the micronized active pharmaceutical ingredient – Salmeterol xinafoate, agglomerates from the air flow rate was carried out. It is established that all the investigated pharmaceutical ingredients forms agglomerates. Monotonic decrease of the agglomerates size occurs with an increase of air flow rate, which indicates their gradual destruction. Almost complete disaggregation of the agglomerates takes place beginning form a certain air flow rate. It is shown that the interfacial interaction force caused the decay of agglomerates depends on the relative speed of their movement and is maximum at the beginning of the particle motion. The obtained experimental results can be used when designing a new inhalation device or creating a new powder composition. Ключевые слова: порошковый ингалятор, активные фармацевтические субстанции, дезагрегирование агломератов, сила межфазного взаимодействия, Сальметерола ксинафоат.