Enhancing Physiological Realism in Nasal Spray Deposition Studies: Synthetic Mucus Properties and Interactions with Saline Solutions and Stereolithography Resin
This study investigated the role of synthetic mucus coatings in enhancing the physiological relevance of in vitro nasal spray deposition assessments using 3D-printed nasal cavity models. Synthetic mucus solutions, representing normal (0.25% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> xanthan gum) and...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Amr Seifelnasr Farhad Zare Xiuhua Si Jinxiang Xi |
| author_facet | Amr Seifelnasr Farhad Zare Xiuhua Si Jinxiang Xi |
| author_sort | Amr Seifelnasr |
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| description | This study investigated the role of synthetic mucus coatings in enhancing the physiological relevance of in vitro nasal spray deposition assessments using 3D-printed nasal cavity models. Synthetic mucus solutions, representing normal (0.25% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> xanthan gum) and diseased (1% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> xanthan gum) nasal conditions, were developed to mimic the viscoelastic properties of human nasal mucus. Their physical properties, including viscosity, surface tension, contact angle, and adhesivity on dry and synthetic mucus-coated stereolithography (SLA) surfaces, were systematically characterized. Comparative experiments evaluated the behavior of saline drops and liquid films on dry versus synthetic mucus-coated SLA surfaces at inclinations of 30°, 45°, and 60°. Observational deposition experiments using anatomically accurate nasal models were conducted under a 45° backward-tilted head position with gentle sniff airflow across uncoated, 0.25% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> mucus-coated, and 1% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> mucus-coated surfaces. Synthetic mucus coatings significantly influenced saline spray deposition patterns. On uncoated surfaces, deposition consisted of scattered droplets and limited film formation, mainly in the anterior and turbinate regions. In contrast, synthetic mucus coatings facilitated broader and more uniform liquid distribution due to diffusion and lubrication effects. These findings highlight the value of synthetic mucus coatings for better simulating nasal environments, offering insights to optimize nasal spray formulations and delivery devices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2840025e360746ce87cd8abc300435a9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-8015 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Liquids |
| spelling | doaj-art-2840025e360746ce87cd8abc300435a92025-08-20T03:27:29ZengMDPI AGLiquids2673-80152025-04-01521110.3390/liquids5020011Enhancing Physiological Realism in Nasal Spray Deposition Studies: Synthetic Mucus Properties and Interactions with Saline Solutions and Stereolithography ResinAmr Seifelnasr0Farhad Zare1Xiuhua Si2Jinxiang Xi3Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71946, IranDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USADepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USAThis study investigated the role of synthetic mucus coatings in enhancing the physiological relevance of in vitro nasal spray deposition assessments using 3D-printed nasal cavity models. Synthetic mucus solutions, representing normal (0.25% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> xanthan gum) and diseased (1% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> xanthan gum) nasal conditions, were developed to mimic the viscoelastic properties of human nasal mucus. Their physical properties, including viscosity, surface tension, contact angle, and adhesivity on dry and synthetic mucus-coated stereolithography (SLA) surfaces, were systematically characterized. Comparative experiments evaluated the behavior of saline drops and liquid films on dry versus synthetic mucus-coated SLA surfaces at inclinations of 30°, 45°, and 60°. Observational deposition experiments using anatomically accurate nasal models were conducted under a 45° backward-tilted head position with gentle sniff airflow across uncoated, 0.25% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> mucus-coated, and 1% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> mucus-coated surfaces. Synthetic mucus coatings significantly influenced saline spray deposition patterns. On uncoated surfaces, deposition consisted of scattered droplets and limited film formation, mainly in the anterior and turbinate regions. In contrast, synthetic mucus coatings facilitated broader and more uniform liquid distribution due to diffusion and lubrication effects. These findings highlight the value of synthetic mucus coatings for better simulating nasal environments, offering insights to optimize nasal spray formulations and delivery devices.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8015/5/2/11synthetic mucusxanthan gumliquid film translocation3D-printingSLA resinsurface tension |
| spellingShingle | Amr Seifelnasr Farhad Zare Xiuhua Si Jinxiang Xi Enhancing Physiological Realism in Nasal Spray Deposition Studies: Synthetic Mucus Properties and Interactions with Saline Solutions and Stereolithography Resin Liquids synthetic mucus xanthan gum liquid film translocation 3D-printing SLA resin surface tension |
| title | Enhancing Physiological Realism in Nasal Spray Deposition Studies: Synthetic Mucus Properties and Interactions with Saline Solutions and Stereolithography Resin |
| title_full | Enhancing Physiological Realism in Nasal Spray Deposition Studies: Synthetic Mucus Properties and Interactions with Saline Solutions and Stereolithography Resin |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing Physiological Realism in Nasal Spray Deposition Studies: Synthetic Mucus Properties and Interactions with Saline Solutions and Stereolithography Resin |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing Physiological Realism in Nasal Spray Deposition Studies: Synthetic Mucus Properties and Interactions with Saline Solutions and Stereolithography Resin |
| title_short | Enhancing Physiological Realism in Nasal Spray Deposition Studies: Synthetic Mucus Properties and Interactions with Saline Solutions and Stereolithography Resin |
| title_sort | enhancing physiological realism in nasal spray deposition studies synthetic mucus properties and interactions with saline solutions and stereolithography resin |
| topic | synthetic mucus xanthan gum liquid film translocation 3D-printing SLA resin surface tension |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8015/5/2/11 |
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