Telko Martin J, Kujanpää Jukka, Hickey Anthony J
Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, CB 7360, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Int J Pharm. 2007 May 24;336(2):352-60. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.12.018. Epub 2006 Dec 20.
Electrostatics and triboelectrification phenomena in dry powder inhalers (DPI) are not well understood, but as shown in this study they may play an important role. Using model formulations of albuterol in lactose, the extent of triboelectrification in the operation of DPI was investigated using an electrical low pressure impactor (ELPI). An experimental apparatus was developed, the performance of the ELPI was evaluated for consistency and reproducibility, and compared to a conventional inertial impactor. Using a statistical experimental design the effects of lactose type, drug load, capsule fill, capsule material, and inhaler were assessed. DPI formulations appear to be subject to strong triboelectric effects. Charge separation can occur between different size fractions, i.e. different fractions can carry charges of different sign. In particular, lactose type, inhaler, and capsule material have a strong effect on the magnitude and polarity of the charge developed during DPI operation. The study suggests that the polarity of the aerosol can be controlled by choice of lactose type, capsule material, and inhaler, which could be exploited for targeting different lung physiologies.
干粉吸入器（DPI）中的静电和摩擦起电现象尚未得到充分理解，但如本研究所示，它们可能起着重要作用。使用沙丁胺醇在乳糖中的模型配方，采用电低压冲击器（ELPI）研究了DPI运行过程中的摩擦起电程度。开发了一种实验装置，评估了ELPI的性能以确保一致性和可重复性，并与传统惯性冲击器进行了比较。采用统计实验设计评估了乳糖类型、药物负载量、胶囊填充量、胶囊材料和吸入器的影响。DPI配方似乎会受到强烈的摩擦电效应影响。不同粒径部分之间会发生电荷分离，即不同部分可携带不同符号的电荷。特别是，乳糖类型、吸入器和胶囊材料对DPI运行过程中产生的电荷大小和极性有很大影响。该研究表明，气溶胶的极性可通过选择乳糖类型、胶囊材料和吸入器来控制，这可用于针对不同的肺部生理状况。
