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Soft‑mist inhaler spray dynamics and laryngeal deposition in upper airway models

delete2026-04-29
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OA
AI
B
Brenda Vara Almirall
C
Chun Yuen Jerry Wong
H
Hua Qian Ang *
D
Daniela Traini
N
Narinder Singh *
K
Kiao Inthavong *
DOI:10.1080/17425247.2026.2664001delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Targeted laryngeal drug delivery is clinically valuable for procedures requiring rapid topical anesthesia. This study evaluated how the mist from a soft-mist inhaler (Softbreezer) interacts with realistic upper-airway anatomy to influence lidocaine deposition. An in vitro experimental setup was used to assess deposition from the soft mist inhaler across four upper-airway geometries: two simplified models and two subject-specific models. Each model was tested at inhalation flow rates of 15 and 30 L min−1. Deposition was quantified across five anatomical regions. High-speed imaging (6100 fps, 20 μs exposure) characterized plume velocity and cone angle. Droplet size distributions were consistent across flow rates (Dv 50≈ 16 μm). The subject-specific realistic oral inhalation model achieved the highest laryngeal deposition at 5.3% of the delivered dose at 30 L min−1, compared with 2.1% in the simplified Virginia Commonwealth University model and 1.6% in the subject-specific artificially opened mouth model. The United States Pharmacopoeia model underestimated upper-airway deposition. High-speed imaging confirmed a slow, coherent plume with minimal turbulence. Physiologically realistic airway geometry captured during oral inhalation should more accurately represent the flow transitions governing laryngeal deposition.
Keywords:
Soft mist inhaler
laryngeal deposition
in vitro inhalation
upper airway geometry
subject specific airways

Journal

Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery cover
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
IF:
5.4
Papers:
2.3K
Citations:
1.0W

Organization

U
university of sydney
Scholars:
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Citations: 0
M
macquarie university
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Papers: 870
Citations: 0
R
RMIT University
Scholars:
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Papers: 1.5K
Citations: 2.6W
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