Influence of Hygroscopic Growth upon the Deposition of Bronchodilator Aerosols in Upper Human Airways

摘要

The influence of hygroscopic growth upon the behavior of two bronchodilator drugs in upper airways is studied with an aerosol deposition model. The latter accounts for laryngeal jet impaction and turbulent flow instabilities caused by the larynx in computing particle deposition efficiencies. Experimental growth rate data are used to define hygroscopic characteristics of the aerosols. The effect of growth following water vapor absorption and the influence of a humectant (glycerin) used in some therapeutic drugs are shown to be complex; whether the total dose deposited is increased or decreased is a function of initial particle size, rate of growth and inspiratory flow rate.