PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Estibalitz Goikoetxea
AU  - Alejandro Rivas
AU  - Raúl Antón
AU  - Francisco José Basterretxea
AU  - Lorena Miñambres
AU  - Estibaliz Méndez Alija
AU  - Carmen Rey-Santano
AU  - Adolf Valls i Soler
AU  - Pablo Serna-Grande
AU  - Victoria Mielgo
AU  - Estibaliz Ruiz-Del-Yerro
AU  - Miguel Angel Gómez-Solaetxe
AU  - Xabier Murgia
TI  - Improving surfactant therapy: Development of a neonatal upper airway model for in vitro aerosol deposition testing
DP  - 2013 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P2062
VI  - 42
IP  - Suppl 57
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2062.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2062.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42
AB  - Background: Aerosolized surfactant is a promising technique to treat neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). However, aerosol delivery to neonates is complex and few studies have addressed its feasibility in vitro.Methods: A computer-design of an infant airway model was drawn in CAD, and 3D pieces were printed by means of rapid prototyping. Natural surfactant aerosols were produced by a pneumatically-driven intratracheal inhalation catheter (driving pressure range 4-6bar). Characterization of surfactant aerosols (particle size and distribution) was performed using Time of Flight technology. Further, deposition of surfactant aerosols within the thermoplastic model of the upper airways was measured.Results: The printed neonatal tracheobronchial airway model successfully passed the quality control. Maximum surfactant aerosol production rate was achieved at 6bar (0.39±0.01ml/min; 31.54±0.52mg/min). Although a high percentage of deposition of the aerosolized mass (between 23.75±6.45% 4bar and 26.48±11.43% 6bar) was deposited within the printed model, the highest percentage of mass (between 64.95±7.40% 4bar and 66.43±11.46% 6bar) was measured beyond the distal exit of the model. The Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) ranged between 8.52±0.16µm (6bar) and 9.36±0.35µm (4bar); higher MMAD values (13.26±3.41µm) where measured at the exit of the printed model.Conclusion: Surfactant aerosolization seems to be feasible and holds potential as a treatment for RDS; however, further research is needed to adapt current technology to the requirements of the neonatal population.