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CCL’s
‘soft plume’ inhaler
technology
set to slash device costs
New
technology advances from Cambridge
Consultants Ltd have led
to the development of a new
inhaler concept, ‘Soft
Plume’, designed to enhance
drug deposition to the lungs.
It uses complex aerodynamics
to create a plume effect by
reducing the spray velocity,
effectively delivering a gentle
mist to the lungs.
The
device allows manufacture using
simple plastic moulding techniques,
resulting in a predicted manufactured
cost of only 18 pence (approx
0.27€). Whilst a low velocity
inhaler device already exists
on the market, the CCL design
offers the benefit of being
almost ten times cheaper to
manufacture and does not require
battery power to operate. CCL’s
‘Soft Plume’ concept
also has the added benefit of
using standard MDI canisters,
and has a built in dose counter.
The plume from CCL’s new
inhaler travels at less than
1m/s compared with over 50m/s
for a conventional metered dose
inhaler. There are obvious patient
benefits with the ‘Soft
Plume’ device, including
less requirement for the patient
to co-ordinate depressing the
canister and inhaling at the
same time, thereby making it
particularly beneficial to children,
the elderly and those less dextrous.
"CCL has developed a reputation
in the inhaler industry for
delivering solutions to pharmaceutical
and biotech companies that meet
strict regulatory guidelines
and moreover, encourage patient
acceptability and therefore
compliance," says Jon Tuckwell,
head of CCL’s Drug Delivery
Group. "By developing a
true low cost solution, we can
help companies keep cost per
unit to a minimum."
CCL’s concept has been
shown to reduce oropharyngeal
(throat & mouth) deposition
to less than 16%. This compares
to approximately 80% in most
current ‘press and breath’
inhalers.
Significantly
reduced deposition will benefit
the pulmonary delivery of the
new stream of high toxicity
compounds emerging on the market.
The pulmonary route is ideal
for treating lung diseases such
as COPD (chronic obstructive
disease), asthma, lung infection
and cystic fibrosis as it delivers
the drug straight to the site
for treatment.
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