Oxford Lasers

Spray Pattern Measurement Systems are used for characterization of many types of spray including: nasal sprays, MDI (metered dose inhaler), DPI (dry powder inhalers), agricultural, water, paint, fuel injectors and domestic aerosols. Spray patternation systems capture images of the spray and calculate its pattern, cone angle / plume geometry and time evolution. Optional software and hardware allow droplet size measurement and velocity measurement.

Have you ever wondered what shape the spray or aerosol you have really produces? For a variety of reasons, metered dose inhalers (mdi), dry powder inhalers (DPI), nasal sprays and fuel injectors need characterization. Typically analysis of cone angle / plume geometry, spray pattern, ellipticity, duration, time history, density etc. is required to pass engineering and regualtory standards.

Oxford Lasers has developed a number of imaging systems for aerosol characterization that allow measurement of all these parameters using image analysis.

Cone angle / Plume Geometry Measurement

For cone angle / plume geometry analysis of an aerosol or spray a laser lightsheet slices through the plume and a high speed movie is taken. Images from the movie are combined and the cone angle / plume geometry measured.

A sample composite image is shown above for a metered dose inhaler (mdi) with cone angle marked

Spray Pattern / Ellipticity Measurement

For ellipticity / pattern characterization the laser lightsheet is repositioned and again a high speed movie is taken.
Images of the aerosol plume are combined and an ellipse is fitted to the resulting image providing a measurement of the spray pattern.

A sample composite image, with fitted ellipse marked, is shown.

A Powerful Development Tool

In addition to providing quantitative data, the Envision systems can provide images of the break-up and droplet formation process. This can provide an extremely valuable insight into the process and aid product develpoment and troubleshooting.

Applications

Characterizations of:

• Pharmaceutical devices in R & D and for FDA (nasal sprays, MDIs, DPIs)
• Domestic aerosols (deodorants, hair sprays etc...)
• Fuel Injectors sprays
• Paint application sprays
• Pesticide application nozzles
• Fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems