Inspiratory Flow Rates Achieved by the COPD Patients Through Breezhaler®, Ellipta® and Handihaler® Inhaler Devices

The inspiratory flow rates achieved by the COPD patients, via the breath actuated devices, are one of the important factors that can influence the efficiency of the drug delivery by the inhalation route. The peak inspiratory flow (PIF) rates achieved by COPD patients through different breath actuated dry power inhalers may differ because of the differences in internal resistance of the different type of devices. The results of inspiratory airflow rate and pressure drop over time, from this study, provided an assessment of the range and variability of inhalation profile characteristics generated by COPD patients within the population selected for this study (e.g. demographics, gender, disease control) through the Breezhaler and the other marketed comparator DPIs. The inhalation profiles were obtained through an Inhalation Profile Recorder (IPR). The inhalation profile recorder was a data acquisition device which consists of a computer, an interface unit and a pressure transducer. This allowed it to measure the real time dynamic pressure drop at the mouthpiece of the inhaler during an inhalation maneuver. On the graphic user interface, plots of inspiratory pressure drop versus time and flow rate versus time are displayed in real time. The investigator or designated study personnel at site was responsible for typing in the Test Location, selecting the Inhaler Type (Breezhaler, Ellipta, Handihaler), typing in the Patient ID and Patient Age, selecting Male or Female, and recording Patient Comments made during the test session, as necessary. Each patient were required to generate three (03) inhalational profiles through each of the three (03) study devices: Breezhaler®, Ellipta® and Handihaler®.