Efficient Engineering Simulation to Inform and Optimise Capsule Inhaler Design
Stuart Abercrombie1
1Team Consulting, Abbey Barns, Duxford Road, Ickleton, Cambridge, CB10 1SX, UK
Summary
Capsule dry powder inhalers (cDPIs) available on the market today face a number of performance challenges in delivering the best possible treatment to patients. This study demonstrates the benefits of using efficient engineering simulation tools including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and Lagrangian particle tracking to optimise the design of a novel prototype cDPI for improved aerosol performance. Simulations were used to inform iterative design updates by increasing understanding of the airflow and particle dynamics within the device and quantifying key performance metrics such as the cumulative impulse acting on carrier particles during dose delivery. In vitro aerosol performance was evaluated using Next Generation Impactor (NGI) apparatus and commercially available Asthalin Rotacaps capsules containing a carrier-based formulation. Aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) results were significantly improved for the updated prototype design and demonstrated correlation with CFD quantified metrics. The results of this study support the use of efficient engineering simulations that maintain a balance between complexity and overall accuracy as valuable tools in the development of inhaler devices.
