New Technology Promises Better Control Over Asthma Symptoms
Buffalo, NY (PRWEB) July 23, 2013 -- If you use an inhaler to manage your asthma, your medication may not be as effective as you think.
That’s because the current process for dehydrating the medicine found in inhalers creates particles of varied size, many of which are too large to be absorbed when inhaled. Only a fraction of each dose can actually reach the area of the lungs where it is effective in treating asthma symptoms.
All that may soon change, however, thanks to a new process for manufacturing ultra-fine particles developed by a team of researchers led by Dr. Meng Wai Woo of Monash University. The technique promises to make drug delivery into the lungs much more efficient and consistent.
Known as anti-solvent vapor precipitation, this method uses ethanol to dehydrate droplets and results in super-small particles of uniform size. These particles are smaller than a micron (thousandth of a millimeter) in diameter—much smaller than those produced by conventional hot air dehydration.
“Ultra-fine, uniform particles will ensure that fewer particles get stuck in the throat while more can reach the lower regions of the lung,” “said Dr. Woo. “Because we can now make the small particles more uniform, it means the inhalers will work better.”
It is estimated that 300 million people suffer from asthma symptoms worldwide. Dr. Woo’s discovery is likely to create a lot of interest from pharmaceutical companies, as infusion devices and metered dose inhalers account for around $20 billion in global sales each year.
“From a drug manufacturer’s perspective, this new approach can maintain the uniformity of the particle and yet potentially maintain a commercially viable production rate,” said Woo.
The new dehydration technique may also enable pharmaceutical companies to deliver other critical medicines directly into the lungs with much greater accuracy. Dr. Woo’s team is currently testing its ultra-fine particle delivery system on protein-based medicines for other medical applications.
About PURE Solutions
PURE Solutions, the innovative provider of hypoallergenic hotel rooms, is an advocate for asthma- and allergy-sufferers worldwide. PURE's patented 7-step process for converting ordinary hotel rooms into PURE Rooms eliminates and protects against 98-100% of viruses, bacteria and other airborne particles. This process creates an environment that is not only safer and more comfortable for people with allergies, but also provides a more relaxing and rejuvenating space for anyone who is travelling away from home. For more information about PURE Solutions, please visit their website at http://www.pureroom.com
Kevin Arnold, PURE Solutions NA, http://www.pureroom.com, 716-206-1216, [email protected]
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