INVESTIGATION OF THE AERODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF INHALER AEROSOLS WITH AN INHALATION SIMULATION MACHINE

An experimental facility comprising of an inhalation simulation machin e and a laser-Doppler anemometer has been developed to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of inhaler aerosols. The machine has been used to simulate transient inhalation flows with different degrees of inspiratory effort. Measurements of the mean flow and of the turbulen ce levels and time scales have been obtained for three commercially-av ailable dry powder inhalers at different inhalation pressures. The res ults provide an extensive characterisation of aerosol aerodynamics and can aid the assessment of inhalers under various inhalation condition s.