Pulmonary Inhaler

The delivery of drugs via the lungs is an advantageous route for drug administration, both for effective local therapies (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis) and for the systemic administration of drugs (therapeutic peptides and proteins). Pulmonary delivery is particularly attractive for a number of frequent-application drugs, especially over oral and other invasive drug delivery methods. The alveoli in the lungs provides a large surface area of a relatively permeable mucosal membrane where pharmaceuticals are easily absorbed, particularly agents in a nano-structured form.

The Pulmonary inhaler provides for precise particle-size control and is portable for convenient use.

The Interstitial NS Pulmonary inhaler has advantages over dry powder delivery devices:

• Liquid aerosol delivery overcomes safety issues associated with dry powder formulations (powder particles can cause damage to the respiratory tract)
• Droplet size can be specifically defined to allow delivery to the desired site in the lungs
• Liquid aerosol delivery has greater capabilities of adjustable dosage
• Inhaler is small and easy to use

The initial development of the inhaler is for the delivery of insulin. Future applications include the delivery of erythropoietin and gene therapies for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis.