Controlled inhalation of aerosolised therapeutics.

With the advent of new, and often expensive, therapeutics designed for aerosol delivery to the lung, there is a need to improve the targeting and efficiency of their delivery. By controlling breathing patterns associated with inhaled aerosols, it has been shown that deposition in the lung can be both maximised and targeted to specific lung regions. A new commercially available device, the AKITA (Inamed GmbH) allows for individualised, controlled inhalation of aerosols produced by conventional nebulisers. Smart card technology is incorporated into the AKITA to both individualise breathing patterns as well as record compliance of therapy. So far, the use of this new device has provided maximal delivery of drug to the lung, with improved patient compliance and minimal waste of drug.