As a key device for the treatment of respiratory diseases, the nebulizer mask converts drug solutions into tiny particles, allowing the drugs to act directly on the lesions, significantly improving the treatment effect.
The ultrasonic nebulizer mask uses ultrasound generated by high-frequency vibration to convert drug solutions into aerosols. The piezoelectric crystal inside the device generates mechanical vibrations under the action of high-frequency electrical signals, and the vibration energy is transmitted to the surface of the liquid to form surface tension waves. When the vibration frequency exceeds the critical value, the wave peak breaks, and the liquid is dispersed into tiny particles with a diameter of 1-5 microns. These particles enter the respiratory tract with the patient's breathing under the guidance of the mask. The particle size produced by ultrasonic atomization is relatively uniform, which is suitable for the treatment of lower respiratory tract diseases, but due to the heat loss in the energy conversion process, it may affect the activity of some thermosensitive drugs.
The compressed air nebulizer uses the high-speed airflow generated by compressed air to impact the drug solution to achieve the atomization process. When the high-pressure gas is ejected at high speed through the nozzle, a negative pressure is formed on the surface of the liquid, and the liquid is sucked into the airflow channel and broken into fine droplets. These droplets are further dispersed into tiny particles under the shear force and turbulence of the subsequent airflow. Compared with ultrasonic atomization, the particle size distribution of compressed air atomization is wider, and some large particles need to be filtered through the baffle or screen inside the mask to ensure that the particles entering the respiratory tract are easier to deposit. This method is suitable for a variety of drug types, and the equipment structure is simple and the cost is low.
Vibrating mesh atomization technology uses a combination of micron-level mesh plates and piezoelectric drive to achieve high-precision drug atomization. When the piezoelectric element vibrates, the mesh plate produces high-frequency oscillations. Under the action of surface tension and vibration, the drug solution is squeezed out of the mesh in the form of tiny droplets to form particles with highly controllable particle size. The particle diameters produced by this technology are mostly concentrated in 1-3 microns, which can effectively reduce the deposition of drugs in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, significantly increase the proportion of drugs reaching the lungs, and are especially suitable for children and elderly patients, reducing drug waste and side effects.
The efficiency of drug particle delivery is affected by multiple factors such as mask design, patient breathing pattern, and drug characteristics. The fit and sealing of the mask determine the effective utilization rate of the drug. Leakage will cause a large amount of drug to escape. The patient's breathing frequency, inspiratory flow rate and breath-holding time directly affect the deposition position and depth of the particles in the respiratory tract. The viscosity, surface tension and concentration of the drug solution will also change the particle size and stability of the atomized particles. In addition, the design of the airflow channel inside the mask and whether it is equipped with a fog storage tank have a significant impact on the delivery efficiency.
To improve the efficiency of drug particle delivery, we can start from optimizing the equipment design and improving the use method. On the equipment side, an intelligent control system is used to monitor the patient's breathing frequency in real time and dynamically adjust the atomization rate; improve the mask material and structure to enhance the sealing and improve the wearing comfort; introduce nano-scale sieve technology to further refine the particle size. In the use stage, standardized training is used to guide patients to master the correct breathing techniques, such as slow inhalation, holding breath for a few seconds, etc.; according to different age groups and disease types, choose the appropriate atomization mode and mask type to ensure that the drug is accurately delivered to the lesion.
The atomization principle of the nebulizer mask is the basis for achieving efficient drug delivery, and improving the efficiency of particle delivery is the core goal of optimizing the treatment effect. With the iteration of technologies such as ultrasound and vibrating mesh, as well as the innovative application of intelligent control and material science, the nebulizer mask will develop in a more precise, efficient and personalized direction in the future, bringing a better treatment experience to patients with respiratory diseases.
