SpectrInline Processware uses the company's Multivariate Optical Computing technology for the control of production processes and final product testing in the pharmaceutical industry.
At Pitconn, the system demonstrated it can detect aspirin in lactose in concentrations ranging from 20 to 40 per cent, with an accuracy greater than 96 per cent and a total measurement time of one-half second.
Although powders have traditionally been the most challenging application of optical spectroscopy, SpectrInline Processware will directly look at boats filled with powder of different concentrations, passing by at a speed of more than one inch per second, without the need of a fibre probe, which can limit measuring ability in certain applications.
This analysis, which takes place at the speed of light, is very useful for the pharmaceutical industry which can realise significant gains through real-time, in-line compliance testing of excipients and active ingredients, in accordance with the objectives of the FDA's PAT (Process Analytical Technology) initiative.
The system also showed it can achieve real-time measurement of single-digit percentage concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredients while mixed in blenders with buffering powders.
Again no fibre probes are needed, so its Multivariate Optical Computer is directly connected to the wall of the blender through a quick-connect coupling.
As the testing process is non-destructive and non-invasive, it protects personnel from unnecessary exposure to product ingredients.
Additional demonstrations taking place at SpectrInline Processware include 100 per cent analysis of 5 tablets per second, high-speed raw material analysis and high-speed liquid analysis.
The issue of backlog is a problem within the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and QC is a major yet often challenging priority for companies.
It is required that ten tablets in every thousand manufactured undergo QC processing.
The market for tablet inspection is growing, as manufacturers are looking to increase their overall product quality level in order to differentiate their products from generics.
Ometric, the first South Carolina-based venture capital-backed company spun out of any of the state's universities, provides solutions to embed analytical technology into industrial processes.