DDL 21 kicked off on Wednesday, December 8 with an EPAG workshop on the abbreviated impactor measurement (AIM) technique attended by 85 inhalation scientists who elected to attend the workshop in addition to the main DDL meeting.
After an introduction by committee chair Steve Nichols, Jolyon Mitchell introduced the concept of AIM, which is a fast screening technique using as few as two impactor stages, and a selection of equipment choices that can be used for the technique, including the twin impinger.
Six researchers presented data comparing AIM methods to standard multistage impactors and evaluating its reproducibility for all three major inhalation delivery methods: DPI, MDI, and nebulizer. All of the presenters showed data suggesting that the AIM method produces comparable data to multistage impactors, though it consistently measures fine particle fraction (FPF) slightly higher than do the ACI and NGI, particularly with DPIs. Many of the talks also evaluated time and labor savings associated with the fast screening process.
A panel discussion addressed questions of the suitability of AIM for QC or for drug candidate screening and how to deal with the regulatory issues involved, speculated on the reasons for the high readings for DPIs, and initiated a small controversy in response to a question about the labor savings of AIM versus automated NGIs or ACIs.
When several panel members asserted that automation of cascade impactors was impractical and rarely worked well, Malcolm Smith of Novi, which makes automated ACIs responded with an acknowledgement that automating most cascade impactors is very difficult but, he said, is working successfully in many labs. He also challenged manufacturers of fast screening impactors to design them to be fully automatable.
The DDL meeting itself began with a networking lunch in the exhibition hall. According to conference chair Georgina Fradley, approximately 70 companies have booths at the meeting, the maximum number of exhibitors that the hall can accommodate.
Unfortunately, due to the heavy snow which has closed the M-8 motorway between Edinburgh and Glasgow for several days, cutting off package delivery, almost 25% of the exhibitors were missing part or all of their displays. Julie Suman of Next Breath, whose display did not arrive on time, was one of several who did their best to provide some sort of display by setting out photocopied literature.
A nunber of attendees were unable to make it to the meeting do to air or train delays due to the snow, and getting to conference center from local hotels was treacherous due to icy sidewalks. Nevertheless, nearly all of the 470 registrants made it to the meeting and were able to network and attend the afternoon session on bioequivalence, a poster session and an evening drinks reception.
