Internal Flow and Near-Orifice Spray Visualisations of a Model Pharmaceutical Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler

Abstract

The pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) has become the most prescribed drug delivery system for treating the respiratory diseases. However, the spray generation mechanism of these devices has not been extensively researched and there is very little information regarding the two-phase fluid dynamics associated with pre-atomisation inside the valve stem. The aim of the work presented in this paper is to provide high-quality, time-resolved imaging of the internal flow structures of pMDIs in an attempt to link the characteristics of the internal flow to external spray atomization processes. Visualisations of the aerosols in the near-orifice region findings from previous studies of commercial pMDIs and showed the following characteristics: (i) start-up transient, (ii) fully developed spray with slow spray density variations and (iii) rapid spray density pulsations with large droplet production. The results clearly highlighted the potential of optical diagnostics in the development of improved accounts of the state of the flow inside a pMDI valve and its relationship with drop formation.