Description:
This Intranasal Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI), developed with Creare, Inc., allows low-cost delivery of powder vaccines. Nasal delivery has numerous advantages compared to traditional injected vaccines, including: 1) safe, needle-less administration by minimally-trained staff or patient; 2) better protection due to mucosal and cross-protection; and 3) decreased biohazard waste. Further, dry powder aerosol vaccine delivery is superior to liquid aerosol delivery in a number of ways, including: 1) no dose reconstitution required; 2) highly thermostable and may not need cold chain storage; 3) costs less to store and transport; 4) improved efficacy through elimination of liquid spray nasal-dripping. This CDC-Creare invention is unique in that it is inexpensive and suitable for single-use applications, such as vaccination. It prevents the dose being deposited within the lower respiratory tract, improving safety. This delivery system has a broad range of potential applications including, but not limited to, childhood vaccination programs, self-administered therapeutics, and emergency biodefense.