A NEW AEROSOL DEVICE FOR BRONCHIAL PROVOCATION TESTS

A special new device for diagnostic (bronchoprovocation) and therapeut ic aerosol application is described. It consists of a high quality neb ulizer system combined with a 10-liter storage bag which serves as an aerosol 'conditioner' (saturated ambient temperature and pressure cond itions) and as a holding chamber to increase the respirable aerosol fr action and hence pulmonary deposition (Pari Provocation Test I). It al lows ten times better standardized pulmonary aerosol deposition compar ed with the generally used nebulizers for calculation of dose-response curves especially for asthma provocation and dilatation tests. If slo w inspiratory vital capacity maneuvers are used, pulmonary deposition of about 100 mg aerosol is achieved in children and adults. This devic e is especially important when exact dosing (also for therapeutic reas ons) is required in the expanding field of topical and systemic aeroso l application to or via the lung.