1. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
RET 2274
Respiratory Therapy Theory Lab I
Module 6.1

2. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosols
Particulate matter suspended in a gas
Particulate matter can be either a liquid or a solid
Examples:
Liquid - Albuterol (liquid medication)
Solid - Cromolyn sodium (powdered medication)

3. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosols
Liquids are aerosolized in clinical practice
Bland aerosol therapy (cool or heated)
Agents used
Sterile water
Saline (hypotonic, isotonic, hypertonic)
Use to treat
Airway edema
Humidification of bypassed upper airway
e.g. artificial airway
Sputum induction and mobilization

4. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosols
Liquids are aerosolized in clinical practice
Aerosolized medication
Directly to the pulmonary system for treatment of a pathology
Bronchospasm
Mucosal edema
Infection

5. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Nebulizer – a device that produces particulate matter that is delivered into a gas
Large-Volume Nebulizer
Large-Volume Ultrasonic Nebulizer
Small-Volume Nebulizer
Small-Volume Ultrasonic Nebulizer
Bulb-Type Nebulizer
Respigard II Small-volume Nebulizer
Breath-Actuated Nebulizer

6. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Pneumatic Nebulizer
High pressure nozzle
Maximum shear force
Capillary tube
Baffle
Area of vorticity
Reservoir

7. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Large-Volume Nebulizer
Pneumatically powered
Variable air entrainment port
Increase flow rate
Alter FiO2

8. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Large-Volume Nebulizer
Single-patient use

9. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Large-Volume Nebulizer
Heaters

10. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Large-Volume Ultrasonic Nebulizer
Radiofrequency generator
Shielded cable
Piezoelectric crystal transducer
Water-filled couplant reservoir
Solution chamber
Chamber inlet
Chamber outlet

11. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Small-Volume Nebulizer
Pneumatically powered
Medication administration
Bronchodilators
Antiinflammatory agents
Antibiotics
10 ml medication reservoir

12. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Small-Volume Nebulizer
Single-patient use

13. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Respirgard II Small-Volume Nebulizer
Administration of Penamidine
Tx for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)
Two one-way valves
Wye
Expiratory filter

14. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Breath-Actuated Nebulizers
Deliver aerosol only during inspiration
Eliminates waste during exhalation
Increases delivered dose
AeroEclipse

15. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
AeroEclipse

16. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Bulb-Type Handheld Nebulizer
Medication administration
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17. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Small-Volume Ultrasonic Nebulizer
Medication administration
Home use

18. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Small-Volume Ultrasonic Nebulizer
Medication administration
Mechanical ventilators

19. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Small-Volume Nebulizer (continuous nebulization)
Intravenous drip system for
Used to manage severe bronchospasm when traditional dosing strategies are ineffective

20. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Large-Volume Nebulizer (Continuous Nebulization)
Medication administration
Used to manage severe bronchospasm when traditional dosing strategies are ineffective
240 ml medication reservoir
HOPE

21. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Small-Particle Aerosol Generator (SPAG)
Special-purpose large-volume nebulizer
Administration of Virazole (ribavirin)
Tx for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Used with masks, hoods, tents, vent circuits

22. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Airway Appliances
Used to deliver aerosol therapy
Aerosol mask
Face tent
T-Tube
Tracheostomy mask A B C D

23. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI)
Medication administration
Bronchodilators
Steroids

24. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
MDI Accessory Devices
Reduce oropharyngeal deposition
Eliminate need for hand-breath coordination

25. Aerosol Therapy and Nebulizers
Aerosol Therapy Equipment
Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI)
Patient creates an aerosol by drawing air through a dose of finely milled drug powder
Do not require the hand-breath coordination needed for MDIs, but do require high inspiratory flows