aerosol therapy

aerosol therapy,

the use of an aerosol for respiratory care in the treatment of bronchopulmonary disease. Aerosol therapy allows the delivery of medications, humidity, or both to the mucosa of the respiratory tract and pulmonary alveoli. Agents delivered by aerosol therapy may relieve spasm of the bronchial muscles and reduce edema of the mucous membranes, liquify bronchial secretions so that they are more easily removed, humidify the respiratory tract, and administer antibiotics locally by depositing them in the respiratory tract.

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aerosol

a colloid system in which solid or liquid particles are suspended in a gas, especially a suspension of a drug or other substance to be dispensed in a cloud or mist.

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aerosol clearance

removal of particles that have been deposited in the respiratory tissues. Clearance may occur by ciliary transport, by phagocytosis, by encapsulation and immobilization in a deposit of fibrous tissue (in which case the particles remain in the body), and by dissolving in tissue fluid and subsequently diffusing into the general circulation where the particles are metabolized.

aerosol deposition

the depositing of aerosol particles onto a nearby surface, especially deposition or retention of the particles within the respiratory system. Closely related to aerosol penetration and affected by the same factors.

aerosol penetration

the maximum distance aerosol particles can be carried into the respiratory tract by inhaled air. Depth of penetration increases as particle size decreases. Factors affecting where aerosol particles will be deposited and how deeply they can penetrate are: gravity, kinetic activity of gas molecules, inertial impaction, physical nature of the particle, and the ventilatory pattern.

aerosol therapy

nebulization; delivery of a therapeutic agent as a fine mist or spray to the mucociliary layer of the respiratory tract.