Effect of Age Related Breathing Parameters on the Performance of a New Nebulizer System: An In-Vitro Study

ABSTRACT A new continuously operated nebulizer system (PARI LC) has been designed for use in patients from one month of age to adulthood. Two different configurations are available, one with a son silicon face mask for use in babies and infants (three different mask sizes), and one with a mouthpiece with integrated expiratory valve. The nebulizer is based on an open-vent technology in combination with a valve system which enables the entrained air to pass through the nebulizing chamber, thus increasing aerosol output during inspiration. In this study the effect of tidal volume and breathing frequency on the nebulizer efficiency has been investigated by using a breath simulator at fixed 50% inspiration and 50% expiration cycles. Sodium fluoride was used as a tracer and analysed from filters simulating the aerosol to be inhaled by a patient (aerosol delivered) and the amount exhausted to the environment (aerosol wasted). Each configuration of the nebulizer was tested by simulating the relevant breathing con...