RESEARCH ARTICLE
Inspiratory Flows and Volumes in Subjects with Cystic Fibrosis Using a New Dry Powder Inhaler Device
Mark R. Elkins1, Philip Robinson2, Sandra D. Anderson1, Clare P. Perry1, Evangelia Daviskas1, Brett Charlton*, 3
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2014Volume: 8
First Page: 1
Last Page: 7
Publisher ID: TORMJ-8-1
DOI: 10.2174/1874306401408010001
Article History:
Received Date: 18/11/2013Revision Received Date: 26/11/2013
Acceptance Date: 26/11/2013
Electronic publication date: 24/1/2014
Collection year: 2014

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Introduction:
Drug inhalation via a dry-powder inhaler (DPI) is a convenient, time efficient alternative to nebulizers in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). Efficient drug administration via DPIs depends on the device resistance and adequate (≥ 45L/min) inspiratory flows and volumes generated by individuals. Dry-powder mannitol is delivered using a RS01 breath-actuated device developed by Plastiape, for Pharmaxis. The study aim was to determine in vivo if CF patients’ inspiratory flows and volumes are adequate to use the RS01 DPI device.
Materials and Methodology:
An open, non-interventional study; enrolled 25 CF subjects, aged ≥ 6 years with FEV1 ≥ 30 to < 90‰ predicted. Inspiratory flows and volumes were measured when subjects inhaled in a controlled manner through the RS01 device in series with a spirometer.
Results:
The mean inspiratory volume (IV) of CF subjects was 1.83L ± 0.97. Their achieved mean ± SD peak inspiratory flow (PIF) was 75.5 ± 27.2L/min. Twenty-three subjects (92%) achieved PIF of > 45L/min with the inhaler device; eighteen of those subjects (78%) had a baseline FEV1 of > 1L.
Conclusion:
Use of the RS01 DPI device allowed adequate inspiratory flow and volume for dispersion of dry-powder mannitol in CF patients.