DDU of Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) aerosol characteristics are relatively insensitive to changes in air flow rate because the aerosolisation and dispersion mechanisms are dependent on the force generated by the propellant, rather than the patient’s inspiratory effort. Therefore, for MDIs, the test flow rate is fixed at an arbitrary value of 28.3 L/min. A vacuum pump is used to draw air through the assembled test set-up at this flow rate. However, these test conditions are not applied for DDU testing when the MDI is intended for use with an add-on device such as a spacer or valved holding chamber (VHC).
Low Capacity Pump LCP6
View ProductBreath Actuation Controller BAC 100i
View ProductInhaler Testing Workstation ITW
View ProductDose Uniformity Sampling Apparatus (DUSA) for MDIs
View BrochureDFM 2000 Flow Meter
View ProductWaste Shot Collector WSC2
View BrochureMouthpiece Adapter
View ProductEnviroMate™ – Benchtop Environmental Chamber
View ProductDUSA Stand for MDIs
View BrochureMDI Actuation Sensor
View BrochureTemperature/Humidity Sensor
View BrochureAPSD of Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
View SystemLow Capacity Pump LCP6
View ProductBreath Actuation Controller BAC 100i
View ProductInhaler Testing Workstation ITW
View ProductDose Uniformity Sampling Apparatus (DUSA) for MDIs
View BrochureDFM 2000 Flow Meter
View ProductWaste Shot Collector WSC2
View BrochureMouthpiece Adapter
View ProductEnviroMate™ – Benchtop Environmental Chamber
View ProductDUSA Stand for MDIs
View BrochureMDI Actuation Sensor
View BrochureTemperature/Humidity Sensor
View BrochureAPSD of Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
View SystemBreath-Actuated MDIs (BAIs)
The Breath Actuation Controller BAC 100i can also be used for the testing of Breath-Actuated (or Breath-Operated) MDIs. In this case, the BAC 100i is used to initiate the flow, simultaneously triggering the breath-actuated inhaler.

MDIs: Semi-Automated DDU Testing
The Vertus automated shake, fire and shot waste range is made up of integrated turn-key solutions for precise, controlled and reproducible MDI testing. Compatible with most MDIs, the Vertus systems offer analysts complete control over:
- The speed, angle and duration of shaking, ahead of actuation
- Firing force and the speed of application and release of that force
- The time delay between the end of shaking and device actuation
Related Applications
We also offer a range of equipment for additional MDI testing application support:
Related Applications
Two factors have been identified as being critical to improving the clinical relevance of DDU testing and APSD measurement: realistic breathing profiles and realistic throat and nasal models.
View MoreSemi-Automation Tools
Semi-Automation Tools
All of the tests involved in Delivered Dose Uniformity require the collection and drug recovery of individual doses into the collection tube of a Dosage Unit Sampling Apparatus (DUSA) appropriate to its type (MDI or DPI) prior to assay.
View Product RangeSemi-Automation Tools
Copley offers a range of ready-made flexible shake, fire and flow control systems for individual MDI testing with ACI, NGI, DUSA, waste shot collectors and other devices.
View Product RangeSemi-Automation Tools
Copley offers a range of ready-made flexible shake, fire and flow control systems for individual MDI testing with ACI, NGI, DUSA, waste shot collectors and other devices.
View Product RangeSemi-Automation Tools
Copley offers a range of ready-made flexible shake, fire and flow control systems for individual MDI testing with ACI, NGI, DUSA, waste shot collectors and other devices.
View Product RangeRelated Services

Training
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Servicing
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Support
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Find Out MoreRelated News & Resources

The new DUSA Shaker™ DTS 100i from Copley: For faster, safer, more repeatable inhaler testing
8th February 2023; Nottingham, UK: The DUSA Shaker™ DTS 100i is a new semi-automation solution from Copley Scientific, the global leader in inhaler and…
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Copley launches EnviroMate™, an efficient, benchtop environmental chamber for inhaler testing
14 September 2022; Nottingham, UK: EnviroMate™ is a benchtop environmental control chamber from Copley, the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of inhaler testing equipment,…
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Copley Scientific joins the Industries Forum of the Taskforce for Lung Health
23 June 2021; Nottingham, UK: Copley Scientific has joined the Industries Forum of the Taskforce for Lung Health. The Taskforce is a collaboration of over…
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New e-Training service from Copley for pharmaceutical testing
14 January 2021; Nottingham, UK: Copley Scientific is now delivering e-Training, offering customers across the globe remote access to expert tuition on in vitro…
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Copley launches a new webinar series on inhaler testing
20 April 2020; Nottingham, UK: Copley Scientific will shortly begin the company’s inaugural series of technical webinars, offering valuable, easy to understand overviews on…
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Advancing the science of OINDPs: Copley Scientific joins IPAC-RS
28 February 2018; Nottingham, UK: Copley Scientific, a global leader in the design and manufacture of inhaler testing equipment, is pleased to announce that…
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Copley Scientific launches new products for MDI testing in line with the new USP monograph
23 January 2014; Nottingham, UK: Copley Scientific has launched two new products to enable testing in accordance with methods described in a new US…
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Poster: RDD 2022
Investigating the Impact of Electrostatics on Delivered Dose Uniformity for pMDIs In this poster published at RDD 2022, an automated shake and fire system…
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Q&A: OINDPnews 2022
Reducing Inhaler Testing Variability Through Test Environment Control In this Q&A with OINDPnews, our CEO Mark Copley answers questions about the importance of the…
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Poster: RDD 2022 (Myatt et al)
The Combined Effect of Valve and Spray Orifice Diameters on pMDI Plume Force Ben Myatt, Barzin Gavtash, Lee Hodges & Andy Cooper Kindeva…
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DDD 2021 Respiratory eBook Profile
Semi-Automating Inhaler Testing – A Good Idea, but Where to Start? Cascade impaction is a vital technique in the development and manufacture of orally…
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PMPS Q&A (Samedan): April 2021
Putting Inhalers to the Test Anna Sipitanou has worked for Copley Scientific for four years, expanding her drug discovery and pharma science background. She…
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Microbioz India: February 2021
A short Q&A with our CEO, Mark Copley, on inhaled product testing
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Inhalation Article: December 2019
Optimizing the role of automation in variability reduction strategies for delivered dose uniformity (DDU) and aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) testing of inhaled drug…
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Inhalation Article: April 2019
The regulatory landscape for OINDPs – the biggest shake-up in a generation?
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Drug Development & Delivery Article: April 2018
Optimizing the Application of In Vitro Test Methods for the Demonstration of Bioequivalence in Orally Inhaled Products
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White Paper: February 2018
Optimising the application of in vitro test methods for the demonstration of BE in OIPs
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American Pharmaceutical Review Article: Nov/Dec 2017
Characterizing the Performance of Metered Dose Inhalers with Add-On Devices: New Methods For Clinically Relevant Testing
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ONdrugDelivery Article: December 2015
A New, Advanced High-Throughput System for Automated Inhaler Testing
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