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Spray coverage analysis of topical sprays formed by cold thermoreversible hydrogels
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Spray coverage analysis of topical sprays formed by cold thermoreversible hydrogels

Riannon Smith, Chris Ruben, Ojas Pradhan, Nicole Brogden and Jennifer Fiegel
Drug development and industrial pharmacy, Vol.49(7), pp.456-466
06/24/2023
DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2023.2229919
PMCID: PMC11172404
PMID: 37354008
url
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11172404/pdf/nihms-1986250.pdfView
Open Access

Abstract

Sprayable hydrogel formulations are promising topical treatments for skin wounds due to their ability to reduce application pain, prolong drug release, and provide moisture to promote skin healing. These viscoelastic materials, however, present challenges in spray ability which can be overcome using a thermoreversible hydrogels sprayed as lower viscosity liquids at cooler temperatures. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of thermoreversible hydrogel formulation and device characteristics on topical spray patterns and to develop metrics to accurately describe surface coverage. Cold solutions of Pluronic F127 were prepared at 15, 17, and 20% (w/w) and tested to determine their rheological properties. Formulations were sprayed from hand-held atomizing pump dispersers under cold conditions and two distinct areas of their spray patterns analyzed: the concentrated core and the full spray pattern. Traditional analysis of spray patterns was conducted to determine major and minor axes, ovality, and total area. In addition, new scripts were developed to evaluate the concentrated core. The full spray pattern analysis quantified the total area over which the spray would extend a flat surface, while the concentrated core analysis quantified the continuous region where a drug dose would be concentrated. The combination of formulation viscosity, sprayer nozzle, and spray distance produced spray patterns from highly concentrated to highly dispersed. These parameters can be controlled to generate desired hydrogel spray patterns for application on skin surfaces. The developed metrics provide a basis for topical spray analysis that can inform future product performance.
hydrogel pluronic Spray analysis spray pattern topical delivery

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