Verbesserung von membranvernebelnden Inhalatoren mittels piezoelektrischer Mikropumpe

Respiratory diseases represent a significant health challenge, underscoring the im-portance of developing efficient inhalation systems. The objective of this study is to de-sign an inhaler that improves membrane-based nebulizing inhalers using a piezoelectric micropump. This approach ensures precise and consistent medication dosing. For this purpose, prototypes are designed using the CAD software SolidWorks and tested through experimental investigations. Under various operating conditions, the metal mi-cropump is initially tested for its dosing accuracy during free-jet dispensing using a grav-imetric measurement setup. Subsequently, the prototypes are evaluated for their dosing characteristics and functional performance through fluidic measurements. Additionally, an analysis of existing inhalers on the market is conducted. The results demonstrate that the developed prototypes deliver sufficient liquid to the mesh and exhibit high dosing precision. Specifically, an average dosed weight of 21.94 mg for 3 bursts and 102.98 mg for 12 bursts was achieved with the micropump. Furthermore, the system enables the simultaneous nebulization of two medications, leading to a reduction in inhalation time. The findings of this study can contribute to improving the treatment of respiratory dis-eases, with potential future applications extending to other medical conditions.