Discover Better

Aerogen technology versus pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDI)

pMDIs

The use of pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) presents considerable challenges:

Ease of use

Time, training and resources are required to follow a pMDI protocol.1–3

Effectiveness

Lower drug delivery reported with pMDI versus jet nebuliser and Aerogen® solo during simulated invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).†4

Emissions

The need to open a pressurised ventilator circuit to administer aerosolised medication via pMDI is considered a potential risk factor for the release of fugitive aerosol.5,6

pMDIs

Environmental considerations

In line with the United Nations Environment Programme Montreal Protocol,7 initiatives are underway globally to reduce the impact of pMDIs on carbon emissions due to their use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as a propellant.

Every
year

0

pMDIs are manufactured globally for the treatment of respiratory conditions.8

With an estimated
burden of

0

tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions.8

Which is the equivalent
of the carbon footprint of

0

EU citizens.‡9 



The United Nations Environment Programme Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer: MCTOC Assessment Report, 2018 states: 

“nebulisers and emerging technologies may also be technically feasible alternatives for avoiding the use of some HFC pMDIs.”8

Ease of use

Aerogen vibrating mesh nebulisers simplifies the workflow10

  • The Aerogen Solo vibrating mesh nebuliser is intended for the aerosolisation of physician-prescribed medications for inhalation, which are approved for use with a general-purpose nebuliser10
  • Quick and easy to set up10
  • No added flow10
  • One system throughout a patient’s respiratory journey (IMV, NIV, high-flow [HF], self-ventilating [SV]),10 supporting continuity of care

Speak to a clinical specialist

Using Aerogen


Invasive mechanical ventilation, 3 steps

Greater drug delivery with the Aerogen Solo versus pMDIs during simulated IMV§4

Effectiveness
Aerogen supports efficient medication delivery versus pMDI during simulated IMV§4

Drug delivery with the Aerogen® Solo was higher than with a pMDI during simulated IMV, regardless of ventilatory pattern or humidification type.§4

Discover the Aerogen Solo

Emissions
Aerogen Solo, a vibrating mesh nebuliser, is a closed-circuit aerosol drug delivery system10

With Aerogen Solo, it is not necessary to open the respiratory circuit when delivering aerosolised medicine.10

In contrast, it is necessary to open the respiratory circuit when delivering aerosolised medicine via a pMDI or jet nebuliser.5,6

Expert consensus states that interrupting the circuit to administer medication can increase the risk of airborne infections for healthcare professionals and patients.5,11

Speak to a Clinical Specialist

Invasive mechanical ventilation, Aerogen closed-circuit aerosol drug delivery system

Aerogen aerosol drug delivery

Ease of use

Aerogen simplifies the workflow

  • Aerogen is intended for the aerosolisation of  physician-prescribed medications for inhalation, which are approved for use with a general purpose nebuliser10
  • One system used throughout a patient's respiratory journey (IMV, NIV, HF, SV),10 supporting continuity of care
  • Quick and easy to set up10
  • Virtually silent delivery,10,12 keeping a calm environment for your patients



Effectiveness

Aerogen facilitates efficient medication delivery versus pMDI during simulated IMV†4

  • Drug delivery with the Aerogen Solo was higher than with a pMDI during simulated IMV, regardless of ventilatory pattern or humidification type†4

Closed-circuit aerosol drug delivery

Aerogen is a closed-circuit aerosol drug delivery system10

  • A closed-circuit aerosol drug delivery system can help mitigate the release of fugitive aerosols during nebulisation¶10,13-16
  • No added flow10
  • Does not rely on propellants to function, therefore does not release any greenhouse gases10



Enquiries

The Aerogen team and our representatives are available globally to answer your questions, provide an online demonstration and place orders

How can we help

†Bench/in vitro study. There was no significant difference in drug delivery with active versus passive humidification across the different devices, or with STD versus LTV ventilation with the Aerogen Solo and the pMDI/CombiHaler (for the jet nebuliser, delivered dose was significantly lower with LTV versus STD ventilation).

‡EuroStat greenhouse gas emission statistics stating that the total carbon footprint of EU-27 was equal to 6.8 tonnes of CO2 per person in 2019.

§Bench/in vitro study. There was no significant difference in drug delivery with active versus passive humidification across the different devices, or with STD versus LTV ventilation with the Aerogen Solo and the pMDI/CombiHaler (for the jet nebuliser, delivered dose was significantly lower with LTV versus STD ventilation).

Studies by Joyce et al and McGrath et al were performed in in-vitro models of mechanical ventilation and self-ventilation, respectively; studies by Harnois et al and Li et al were self-ventilation and high-flow studies, respectively, performed in healthy subjects.

DPI, dry powder inhaler; ED, European Union; HF, high flow; HFC, hydrofluorocarbons; IMV, invasive mechanical ventilation; JN, jet nebuliser;  LTV, low tidal volume; MCTOC, Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee;  NIV, non-invasive ventilation; pMDI, pressurised metered dose inhalers; SV, self ventilating; STD, standard.

  1. Sanchis J, Gich I, Pedersen S. Chest. 2016;150(2):394-406.
  2. Hatley RH, Parker J, Pritchard JN, et al.  J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv. 2017;30(1):71-79. 
  3. Gardenhire DS, Nozart L, Hinski S. A Guide to Aerosol Delivery Devices for Respiratory Therapists, 5th Edition American Association for Respiratory Care, 2023. Accessed: February 2024.  
  4. Naughton PJ, Joyce M, Mac Giolla Eain M, et al. Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(10):1574.  
  5. Ari A. Respir Med. 2020;167:105987.
  6. Mac Giolla Eain M, Joyce M, MacLoughlin R. Drug Deliv. 2021;28(1):1496-1500.
  7. United Nations Environment Programme Montreal Protocol. Available at: https://www.unep.org/ozonaction/who-we-are/about-montreal-protocol. Accessed: February 2024. 
  8. United Nations Environment Programme Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee, 2018 Assessment Report.  Available at: https://ozone.unep.org/sites/default/files/2019-04/MCTOC-Assessment-Report-2018.pdf. Accessed: February 2024.
  9. EuroStat. Greenhouse gas emissions statistics – carbon footprints: statistics explained. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/SEPDF/cache/10389.pdf. Accessed: February 2024.
  10. 30-354 REV U Aerogen Solo instruction manual.
  11. Fink JB, Ehrmann S, Li J, et al. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv. 2020;33(6):300-304.
  12. Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). How loud is too loud? https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/ear-health/protect-your-hearing/how-loud-is-too-loud/. Accessed. February 2024.
  13. Joyce M, McGrath JA, Mac Giolla Eain M, et al. Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(2):199.
  14. McGrath JA, O'Sullivan A, Bennett G, et al. Pharmaceutics. 2019;11(2):75.
  15. Harnois LJ, Alolaiwat AA, Jing G, et al. Respir Care. 2022;67(4):394-403.
  16. Li J, A Alolaiwat A, J Harnois L, Fink JB, Dhand R. Respir Care. 2022;67(4):404-414. 

GL-2498-1-EN