Evaluation of therapeutic pulmonary surfactants by thin liquid film methods.

An example of the application of the Black Foam Film (BFF) Method and the Wetting Film Method, using the Microinterferomertric and the Pressure Balance Techniques, for characterization interfacial properties of the animal derived therapeutic pulmonary surfactant preparations (TSP), is presented. BFF thickness, probability of black film formation, and disjoining pressure for foam films from TSP aqueous solutions are measured as well as the wetting properties of TSP solutions on solid surfaces with different hydrophobicity have been studied. Interfacial characteristics such as minimal surfactant concentration to obtain black film (critical concentration) and concentration at which a black film is 100% obtained (threshold concentration) are determined. An evaluation of the four widely used TSP – Curosurf, Infasurf, Survanta, and Alveofact – by these methods has been carried out. Thus the methods of the thin liquid films are useful tools for studying the interfacial properties of TSP solutions, as well as for their improvement.