title: Magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray microtomography studies of a gel-forming tablet formulation.
abstract: The capabilities of two methods for investigating tablet swelling are investigated, based on a study of a model gel-forming system. Results from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared with results from a novel application of X-ray microtomography (XmicroT) to track the movements of embedded glass microsphere tracers as the model tablets swelled. MRI provided information concerning the movement of hydration fronts into the tablets and the composition of the swollen gel layer, which formed at the tablet surface and progressively thickened with time. Conversely, XmicroT revealed significant axial expansion within the tablet core, at short times and ahead of the hydration fronts, where there was insufficient water to be observed by MRI (estimated to be around 15% by weight for the system used here). Thus, MRI and XmicroT may be regarded as complementary methods for studying the hydration and swelling behaviour of tablets.
authors: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. prl28@cam.ac.uk
authors: P R
authors: PR
authors: Laity
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Mantle
authors: L F
authors: LF
authors: Gladden
authors: R E
authors: RE
authors: Cameron
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry; D004304:Dosage Forms; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007785:Lactose / Q000737:chemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D008863:Microspheres; D044367:Phase Transition; D013607:Tablets / Q000737:chemistry; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004304:Dosage Forms; D005782:Gels; D013607:Tablets; D014867:Water; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; D002482:Cellulose; D008747:Methylcellulose; D007785:Lactose; C109691:microcrystalline cellulose