Numerical evaluation of spray position for improved nasal drug delivery

Sci Rep. 2020 Jun 29;10(1):10568. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-66716-0.

Abstract

Topical intra-nasal sprays are amongst the most commonly prescribed therapeutic options for sinonasal diseases in humans. However, inconsistency and ambiguity in instructions show a lack of definitive knowledge on best spray use techniques. In this study, we have identified a new usage strategy for nasal sprays available over-the-counter, that registers an average 8-fold improvement in topical delivery of drugs at diseased sites, when compared to prevalent spray techniques. The protocol involves re-orienting the spray axis to harness inertial motion of particulates and has been developed using computational fluid dynamics simulations of respiratory airflow and droplet transport in medical imaging-based digital models. Simulated dose in representative models is validated through in vitro spray measurements in 3D-printed anatomic replicas using the gamma scintigraphy technique. This work breaks new ground in proposing an alternative user-friendly strategy that can significantly enhance topical delivery inside human nose. While these findings can eventually translate into personalized spray usage instructions and hence merit a change in nasal standard-of-care, this study also demonstrates how relatively simple engineering analysis tools can revolutionize everyday healthcare. Finally, with respiratory mucosa as the initial coronavirus infection site, our findings are relevant to intra-nasal vaccines that are in-development, to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation*
  • Administration, Intranasal / methods*
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Computer Simulation
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Nasal Cavity / anatomy & histology
  • Nasal Mucosa / drug effects
  • Nasal Mucosa / virology
  • Nasal Sprays*
  • Nebulizers and Vaporizers
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Paranasal Sinuses / drug effects
  • Paranasal Sinuses / virology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Nasal Sprays
  • Viral Vaccines