Performance of a Repeated-Use Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer

Background: Vibrating mesh systems are more efficient than pneumatic jet nebulizers. Vibrating mesh nebulizers (VMNs) are designed for repeated use by a single patient for up to 28 days. We assessed the reliability of a VMN in terms of delivered drug dose and particle size distribution. Methods: The Aerogen Solo VMN (Aerogen, Galway, Ireland) was selected for testing. The VMN was connected to a valve mask and a reservoir (Aerogen Ultra) placed on an adult mannequin. The VMN was filled with a unit dose of salbutamol (5.0 mg/2.5 mL, GlaxoSmithKline Inc., Victoria, Australia) and nebulized until no aerosol was visible. The VMN was repeatedly tested every 6 h, 84 times in total, with an assumed prescription of t.i.d. for 28 days, without cleaning between tests. The delivered drug dose distal to the bronchi was collected in a collecting filter, and the particle size distribution was measured using an Anderson Cascade Impactor (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). The collected drug was analyzed using ultraviolet spectrophotometry and the mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) was calculated. Ten other nebulizers were repeatedly tested according to the protocol. Results: The average inhaled drug dose percent, residual dose percent, MMAD, and nebulization time were deviated to five sections and the results are illustrated in the table below (expressed as the mean ± standard deviation). No significant differences were found among the parameters and measurement time points. Conclusions: The performance of the VMN in terms of inhaled drug dose, residual dose, particle size, and nebulization time was similar across the 28 days of use.