HIGH-FREQUENCY ULTRASONIC NEBULIZER SYSTEM FOR RADIOAEROSOL DELIVERY

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 17  (8) , 707-710
Abstract
A prototype high-frequency ultrasonic nebulizer, coupled with a nebulization chamber, was designed specifically to overcome the problem of inefficient and unpredictable radioaerosol delivery. The objective was to reduce mean particle size, increase aerosol concentration, and minimize dead space. Thirty-nine patients were studied, including 15 patients in significant respiratory distress. Delivery of the radioaerosol proved to be rapid, efficient and reproducible, and excellent alveolar distribution patterns were obtained in all 39 patients. Minimal nonpathologic tracheal deposition occurred in 5 patients, but this did not interfere with the interpretability or diagnostic validity. All other instances of airway aerosol depositon correlated with documented airway disease. The images obtained with this system are a reliable measure of ventilatory distribution and airway turbulence.