Tailoring the flow properties of inhaled micronized drug powders by atomic and molecular layer deposition

For dry powder inhaled formulations, good flow behaviour is vital in re-dispersing the powder. However, inhaled drug powders with a particle size below 10 µm are classified as highly cohesive materials with poor flow characteristics. Here we demonstrate how to alter the flow properties of micronized budesonide powders by depositing different...

Fluidization of fine lactose for dry powder inhalation: A comparison of assisting methods

Fluidization of cohesive pharmaceutical powders is difficult to achieve and typically requires the introduction of external forces. This study investigates the fluidization of the fine inhalation grade of lactose powders (size range from 0.1-20 μm) that are specifically developed for dry powder inhalation (DPI) applications. The fluidization...

Drug powders with tunable wettability by atomic and molecular layer deposition: From highly hydrophilic to superhydrophobic

The wettability of pharmaceuticals is a key physical property which influences their dissolution rate, dispersibility, flowability and solid-state stability. Here, we provide a platform of surface nanoengineering methods capable of tuning the wettability of drug powders from high hydrophilicity to superhydrophobicity with drug loadings up to...

Static and dynamic stickiness tests to measure particle stickiness

Sticking of particles has a tremendous impact on powder-processing industries, especially for hygroscopic amorphous powders. A wide variety of experimental methods has been developed to measure at what combinations of temperature and moisture content material becomes sticky. This review describes, for each method, how so-called stickiness...

Controlled Pulmonary Delivery of Carrier-Free Budesonide Dry Powder by Atomic Layer Deposition

Ideal controlled pulmonary drug delivery systems provide sustained release by retarding lung clearance mechanisms and efficient lung deposition to maintain therapeutic concentrations over prolonged time. Here, we use atomic layer deposition (ALD) to simultaneously tailor the release and aerosolization properties of inhaled drug particles...