Scientists claim that they are working on a new project to design more effective nasal sprays to provide alternate drug delivery to needles or pills.

An international team, led by RMIT University, says it has already developed computer models which can explore deep into the human respiratory airway and also focus on particle inhalation, allowing scientists to understand how particles move through the nasal cavity and where they deposit.

Moreover, the models allow for powerful visualisation and reproduction of these particle flows and deposits.

Team leader Prof Jiyuan Tu said the models enabled the researchers to gain a better understanding of the toxicology and therapeutic effects of improved nasal spray devices.
“We are using what’s called Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). We have developed sophisticated models of the real respiratory airway from medical imaging techniques (CT and MRI) that includes the oral and nasal cavity, larynx, pharynx, trachea and the upper regions of the lung airway.

“These areas of the respiratory airway are capable of determining how and where the inhaled particles and gases will move and eventually deposit on to the respiratory walls. This new technology will significantly assist new findings in biomedical and health research,” he said.

The scientists also claim that CFD models can also allow insight into determining the health risks and outcomes of exposure to airborne particles and gases.

Prof Tu said the new technology also provided powerful visualisation tools such as vector and contour plots, useful for conveying information such as the air/particle flow dynamics and its behaviour to non-health practitioners.

“For example, doctors can explain the effects of surgical procedures to the patient and family members,” he said in a release by the university.