PROGETTAZIONE E VALIDAZIONE DI UN NUOVO SISTEMA DI NEBULIZZAZIONE DI TIPO PNEUMATICO PER IL TRATTAMENTO DELLE PATOLOGIE DELLE ALTE E BASSE VIE AEREE

DESIGN AND VALIDATION OF A NEW PNEUMATIC DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF HIGH RESPIRATORY TRACT DISEASES The aim of this PhD project was to design and develop a new nebulization device for the treatment of upper and lowe airways with these features: penumatic type, withour electricity, with low cost and high compliance, which can allow large volume of solutions, not only irrigation but also nebulization, not only saline solution but also drugs. At the ending of our activities, we developed a new pneumatic nebulization system composed by: •an ampoule that contains the liquid drug and/or the solution (more than 50 cc); •a piston at the base of the ampoule to pump air; •on the top of the ampoule is possible to couple a specific nozzle that determines the dimension of the nebulized; Regarding functioning: •fill the ampoule with the medication and/or solution; •use the piston to charge the pressure; •choose the correct nozzle according to the type of treatment to be carried out; •put the button to activate the device. It is portable, requires no power, low cost and eco friendly. It is useful for delivering saline solutions with or without drugs. Moreover it is possible to insert other types of interchangeable devices also for the treatment not only of the nose but for other sides suche as larynx, trachea and bronchi. Future developments are the confirmation of the size of the particles delivered, the distribution pattern and finally the application in clinical practice making the distal portion in contact ergonomic and regular.