1 of 4
2 of 4
Figure 2: Microscopic photo of the unique geometry of the micro holes on the aperture plate.
3 of 4
4 of 4
In state-of-the-art aerosol drug delivery system enabled by Vibrating Mesh Technology, Veco’s nebulizer aperture plate (mesh) releases millions of micron sized droplets per second through its unique geometry.
The key to the Vibrating Mesh Technology which re-defined respiratory treatment is the aperture plate surrounded by a vibrational element (shown in picture 1).
The electroformed aperture plate is just 5 mm in diameter and perforated with 1000 precision formed tapered holes. It vibrates 128,000 times per second, creating a mini pump that produces a fine particle mist of uniform size droplets, each between 1 and 5 micron in diameter, an ideal particle size for deep lung penetration. Clinical study has shown that this results in deposition rates far greater than that can be achieved by conventional nebulization.
As the development of drug delivery technologies, the industry sees an increasing demand for nebulizer nozzle plates of higher precision/quality level. Electroforming as an additive manufacturing process highly suitable for miniature structure meets this demand perfectly due to the following features:
- Highly uniform orifice holes can be formed as small as 1 micron
- Flexible hole geometry, any complex hole pattern or shape possible
- Ultra-precision and extreme accuracy
- Capable with bio-compatible materials
- Flexible and economic tooling and prototyping.