Development of SIMPATEC-USP: An abbreviated impactor for rapid testing of inhalation devices

Cleudeucio Manoel Ferreira dos Santos Nascimento, Mariana Yasue Saito Miyagi, Ana Paula dos Santos Cardoso, Luiz Henrique Pereira Quirante and Gabriel Lima de Barros Araujo *

Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
 
Research Article
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2024, 12(02), 022–030.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2024.12.2.1198
Publication history: 
Received on 19 May 2024; revised on 28 June 2024; accepted on 01 July 2024
 
Abstract: 
Cascade impactors like the Andersen Cascade Impactor (ACI) and Next Generation Impactor (NGI) are complex and costly due to multiple stages. This study introduces SIMPATEC-USP (Simplified Impactor Developed at the University of São Paulo), a low-cost, single-stage alternative meeting US Pharmacopeia standards for testing dry powder inhalers (DPIs). SIMPATEC-USP simplifies particle retention into a single Petri dish stage, eliminating multi-stage complexity. Its design includes a straightforward closure system for easy assembly/disassembly. A collection chamber holds a glass Petri dish with filter paper for final filtration, ensuring efficient aerosol product collection. SIMPATEC-USP also offers potential use with culture media for applications like antibacterial screening. Operating at 30 L/min, SIMPATEC-USP consists of three parts: a single-stage chamber, an L-shaped tube mimicking the trachea, and a vacuum pump. Aerosol particles are deposited onto the Petri dish via a nozzle, and the collected sample is weighed to determine drug concentration.
Tested with inhalation-grade lactose, SIMPATEC-USP effectively collects and analyzes particles, allowing for rapid aerodynamic comparison of formulations, capsule retention assessment, and sample collection for drug release studies. The results demonstrate that it is possible to evaluate the performance of three inhalation devices regarding the mass migrating to the collection plate and that retained within the device itself. In conclusion, SIMPATEC-USP is highly suitable for exploratory studies and educational activities in pharmaceutical technology and pulmonary drug delivery systems.
 
Keywords: 
Dry Powder Inhalers; Cascade Impactor; SIMPATEC-USP; Aerodynamic Assessment; Pharmaceutical Technology; Inhalation Devices
 
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