Exploring Powder Dispersion For Inhaled Drug Applications

Dr Paul Kippax, product manager for diffraction systems at Malvern Instruments, is one of a group of powder dispersion and characterization experts who will speak in Leeds, UK, on 8 December 2009 at a meeting on ‘Dispersion and Characterization of Dry Cohesive Powders for Inhalation and Particle Sizing'.

The meeting, organised by researchers from the Institute of Particle Science and Engineering at Leeds University, will address the current state of the art and science of powder dispersion for pulmonary drug delivery, and the characterization of physical and mechanical powder properties, such as size and shape. Dr Kippax will discuss the use of the Spraytec laser diffraction particle size analyzer in understanding the operation of dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and the application of image analysis to understanding the structure of the agglomerates they produce.

"The effective dispersion of fine powders is critical in devices built to deliver drug to the lungs," said Dr Kippax. "Malvern's ongoing research into aerosol drug delivery is building our understanding of the application of the systems we produce and helping us to provide the best possible support to the academic and industry scientists active in this field."

Spraytec, from Malvern Instruments, is an advanced laser diffraction analyzer that provides real-time particle size measurement for the rapid screening and accelerated optimization of inhaled drug formulations and delivery devices. Measuring concentration and particle size simultaneously during device actuation, Spraytec provides insight that complements alternative techniques for inhaler characterization.

About Malvern Instruments
Malvern Instruments provides a range of complementary materials characterization tools that deliver inter-related measurements reflecting the complexities of particulates and disperse systems, nanomaterials and macromolecules. Analytical instruments from Malvern are used in the characterization of a wide variety of materials, from industrial bulk powders to nanomaterials and delicate macromolecules. A broad portfolio of innovative technologies is combined with intelligent, user-friendly software. These systems deliver industrially relevant data enabling our customers to make the connection between micro (such as particle size) and macro (bulk) material properties (rheology) and chemical composition (chemical imaging).

Particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, molecular weight, chemical composition and rheological properties measurements are now joined by advanced chromatography solutions (GPC/SEC), extending Malvern's technologies for protein molecular weight, size and aggregation measurements, and synthetic polymer molecular weight and distribution. The company's laboratory, at-line, on-line and in-line solutions are proven in sectors as diverse as cement production and pharmaceutical drug discovery.

Headquartered in Malvern, UK, Malvern Instruments has subsidiary organizations in all major European markets, North America, China, Korea and Japan, a joint venture in India, a global distributor network and applications laboratories around the world.

SOURCE: Malvern Instruments