Malvern Instruments

Insitec Pharma Voyager online/automated at-line particle size analyzer
The Insitec Pharma Voyager online/automated at-line particle size analyzer is an attractive option in pharmaceutical manu- facturing, especially for pilot-plant operation and PAT research, where mobility, cleanability and ease of operation are important. It is also a valuable tool for sites needing to monitor multiple unit operations such as mills, spray dryers, atomizers and classifiers. Built for the plant environment, it can be moved easily to production at any point. The unit is based on Malvern’s highly robust Insitec T laser-diffraction-based particle size analyzer — a system whose GMP design features include the use of tri-clamping and 316L stainless steel for easy cleaning to pharmaceutical standards. A completely mobile and self-contained unit, Pharma Voyager delivers online continuous or automated at-line particle size measurement for solid particulates suspended in gas streams. It provides real-time size analysis of particles in the size range from 0.5 to 1,000 mm, and features CIP, SIP and 21CFR compliance, and validation with material certificates. An intrinsically safe option is also available on request.

Sysmex FPIA-3000 automated particle shape and size analyzer
The Sysmex FPIA-3000 automated particle shape and size analyzer now has the capability to measure particles suspended in nonaqueous solvents, as well as those in water-based materials. This is especially important in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, where there is often a requirement to measure the shape and size of particles that are soluble in water. The Sysmex FPIA-3000 can now accommodate all common solvents, including acetone, methylethylketone, ethyl acetone, xylene and toluene. This instrument can measure particles in the range of 0.8–300 µm and, using a CCD camera, produces images of each particle as well as a scattergram of shape index versus particle size in just 2.5 min. Samples pass through a sheath flowcell that transforms the particle suspension into a narrow or flat flow, ensuring that the largest area of the particle is oriented towards the camera, and that all particles are in focus. The CCD camera captures 60 images/s; these images are analyzed in realtime.