3D Printing Makes Inhalers for Asthma More Effective

Researchers at Kiel University are using ultra-precise 3D printing to redesign the carriers inside dry-powder inhalers to improve drug delivery for asthma patients. By creating millions of identical, hair-thin carrier particles with specific shapes, they found that a design called "Pharmacone" delivered four times more medicine into the lungs compared to other shapes. While still in the experimental stage, these particles show promise in enhancing inhaler effectiveness by compensating for poor technique or inconsistent use. The study, published in a Nature portfolio journal, highlights the potential for smarter inhaler design to help more medicine reach the lungs, potentially reducing asthma symptoms and healthcare costs associated with misuse.