title: A new rapid on-line imaging method to determine particle size distribution of granules.
abstract: The purpose of this research was to study the feasibility of the new image analysis method in the particle size determination of the granules. The method is capable of forming a three-dimensional topographic image of a sample surface from a digital picture. In the method, a flat granule bed surface was illuminated from three different directions, using the three primary colors (red, green, and blue). One color picture was taken by a digital camera, after which a topographic image of the object surface was constructed. The particle size distribution was then calculated from the image data. The particle size analysis method was tested both off-line and on-line. Off-line particle size measurement results determined by the image analysis method corresponded quite well to those of sieve analysis in the size fraction range 250-1,000 microm. In on-line application, images were successfully retrieved and median granule size trend could be calculated and followed during fluid bed granulations.
authors.affiliation: Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma, Orionintie 1, PO Box 65, 02101 Espoo, Finland. tero.narvanen@orionpharma.com
authors.forename: Tero
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Närvänen
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seppälä
authors.forename: Osmo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Antikainen
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yliruusi
mesh_terms: D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008863:Microspheres; D009862:Online Systems; D010316:Particle Size; D011208:Powders / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011208:Powders