Hand-held nebulizer

Cystic fibrosis 300 mg over 15 min bid via hand-held nebulizer x 28 days, then off X 28 days repeat cycle. 

Albuterol, terbutaline, metaproterenol, and pirbuterol are available as metered-dose inhalers. Given by inhalation, these agents cause bronchodilation equivalent to that produced by isoproterenol. Bronchodilation is maximal within 15-30 minutes and persists for 3-4 hours. All can be diluted in saline for administration from a hand-held nebulizer. Because the particles generated by a nebulizer are much larger than those from a metered-dose inhaler, much higher doses must be given (2.5-5.0 mg versus 100-400 meg) but are no more effective. Nebulized therapy should thus be reserved for patients unable to coordinate inhalation from a metered-dose inhaler. 

Hand-held nebulizer Changes liquid medication into a fine spray... 

There are two commonly used inhalers. These are the hand-held nebulizer and the hand-held metered-dose device. The hand-held nebulizer changes liquid medication into a fine spray. The hand-held metered dose device is a small, metal container about 5 to 6 inches high, with a push button spray device on the top to release the medication. 

Omron launched a battery-operated hand-held nebulizer in 1994 (in Japan, model NE-U03) (15), which has recently been updated (in Japan, model NE-U14). The Omron nebulizer employs a ceramic mesh and double-horn oscillator that combine to release a fairly fine liquid aerosol with relatively low power consumption. A unit is pictured in Fig. 4 and its operation schematically... 

Kennedy describes a method using an ultrasonic nebulizer to generate a fog of water droplets w hich is used in the same way as smoke to visualize airflows. Several types of nebulizers are available but they require an electrical connection and are not hand-held. Food dye can be added to the water to produce colored fog. The nebulizers are expensive (about 1500 ECU) but have negligible operating costs. Although the amount of smoke produced is small, it is nontoxic and nonirritating. 

Newman, S.P., Steed, K., Reader, S., Flooper, G., and Zierenberg. B., Efficient delivery to the lungs of flunisolide aerosol from a new portable hand-held multidose nebulizer, J. Pharm. Sci., 85 960-964 (1996). 

HaloLite, shown in Fig. 11, is a hand-held drug delivery system developed by Medic-Aid (Bognor Regis, United Kingdom). The device, which uses compressed air, consists of a medication chamber, a control unit, and an aerosol generation assembly that is operated by a portable, dedicated compressor. The aerosol is generated based upon conventional nebulization principles. The control unit allows the patient to select a... 

In 1945, the introduction of penicillin was followed swiftly by attempts to nebulize it directly to the lungs. A device know as the Deedon inhaler (Moore Medicinal Products Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland) was a neat, hand-held inhaler made entirely from plastic and intended for the administration of penicillin or antispasmodics. It was suggested that the fine mist of penicillin was likely to penetrate as far as the small bronchi and bronchioles. Penicillin, in 30% glycerine, placed in the reservoir was administered in 6 to 7 min by squeezing the rubber bulb at each inspiration. The makers also advertised an electric pump, at a... 

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