Disposable digital dry powder micro-nebulizer device for drug storage and triggered release

This paper presents the fabrication and testing of a microfabricated dry powder digital nebulizer device for drug storage and triggered release. The device consists of arrays of 40 μm deep sealed cavities of different volumes loaded with solid powder particles on a flexible polymer film. Each discrete cavity contains its own micro-heater triggered release mechanism. Approximately 49 mJ of heater energy is required to release 1.35 μg of powder to a gas stream in less than a second. This disposable and low-cost micro-nebulizer powder storage device has potential for use in inexpensive, long duration storage and controlled release of powder drugs for treatment of cystic fibrosis, asthma and other respiratory diseases.