Dry powder inhaler delivery of therapeutic nanoparticles.

• Main Author: Katherine.
• Other Authors: Kunn Hadinoto Ong
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Nanotechnology; DRNTU::Science::Medicine::Pharmacy::Pharmaceutical technology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/51287
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The research works presented in this dissertation focus on the formulation of biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles for delivery via dry powder inhaler (DPI). Nanoparticles enhance drug bioavailability due to its small size. However, when used in inhaled dry powder, they have to be transformed into aggregated forms to improve their aerosolization efficiency. In addition, they have to be able to re-disperse into primary nanoparticles upon contact with lung fluids to retain its therapeutic function. The nanoparticles studied in the dissertation are polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) - lecithin (LC) hybrid nanoparticles, ciprofloxacin nanoparticles and silica nanoparticles. PCL nanoparticles (~ 290 nm) and PLGA - LC hybrid nanoparticles (~420 nm) are biocompatible material with thermally – sensitive properties. Ciprofloxacin nanoparticles (~ 200 nm) are drug nanoparticles with high dissolution rate and high saturation solubility. Lastly, silica nanoparticles (~ 25 nm) are nanoparticles widely used in biomedical application due to its biocompatibility and robustness. Different formulations are needed as a result of different properties of these nanoparticles.