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. 2019 Dec 17;7:406. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00406

Table 1.

Main characteristics of the devices currently used for pulmonary delivery.

Device Mechanism Characteristics Disadvantages
Nebulizer Nebulization by air-jet

  • Vibrating mesh technology

  • Aerosol droplets generated from liquids

  • Long inhalation times

  • Cleaning times

  • Frequent administration
Pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) Use of propellant

  • Aerosol droplets generated from a drug suspension in volatile liquid

  • Inexpensive

  • Correct size of particles deposited in the lungs

  • Lung deposition efficacy <60%

  • Propellant requirement
Dry powder inhaler (DPI) Dry powder

  • High stability and sterility

  • Small portable devices

  • Short administration

  • High inspiratory effort to be efficient