Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify how many aerosol particles adhered to the inside of the spacer (Volumatic, Allen & Hanbury Ltd.) in ultrasound and jet nebulizers, and what factors affected the rate of adherence.
The spacer was connected tightly to the ultrasound or the jet nebulizer. A filter paper (20 mm×200 mm) was stuck to the bottom of the spacer and its weight measured at each pre-and post-trial, then the rate of adherence of aerosol particles was calculated.
The rate of adherence of aerosol particles produced by the jet nebulizer was lower than that of the ultrasound nebulizer. The longer the aerosol particles were produced, the higher the rate of adherence was to the inside of the spacer. The rate of adherence of aerosol particles decreased with simulated ventilation according to volume, i.e., 4.91% at 0 ml, 4.28% at 500ml and 3.97% at 700 ml. Addition or glycerin to tne base (distilled water) reduced the rate of adherence of aerosol particles.
