Process Analytical Technologies

Multieye™Real-Time Moisture Content and

Drying Endpoint Detect ion

F l u i d B e d G r a n u l a t i o n

The Multieye™ is a multipoint Near-Infrared (NIR)

spectrometer designed for real-time in-line process

monitoring. A single sensor design allows concurrent

measurements from up to 4 locations within a process

eliminating any strenuous and complex time aligning

procedures and channel-to-channel variation

commonly found with multiple single point options.

For processes such as fluid bed granulation, drying and

coating, the 4 measurement points provided by

Multieye allow for more comprehensive sampling and

thus process understanding by accounting for

variations in moisture content linked to particle

dispersion within large equipment.

An often incurred difficulty with the use of Process

Analytical Technology (PAT) and large fluid bed

granulation processes is the changing sample

presentation. Patented baseline correction technology

allows Multieye to overcome these limitations and

provide unprecedented real-time measurements of a

process.

The increased process monitoring capabilities with the

added flexibility of Multieye to perform in-line, at-line

and offline make Multieye a powerful tool in endpoint

detection, process modelling, and process control.

Key Advantages:

• Real-time measurements

• Up to 4 concurrent measurement points

• In-line, at-line and offline setups

• Non-product contact

Customer Testimonial:

Using the Multieye we have the capability to beautifully monitor the moisture trend in real time, during

the liquid addition and drying process in a fluid bed granulation process

- Dr. Denisio Togashi, Dublin Institute of Technology

Application: Moisture Content in Fluid

Bed GranulationGranulation is an important step in pharmaceutical

solid dosage manufacture. It is a process where-by

powder particles are made to adhere to each other, to

form larger multi-particle entities called granules, thus

increasing the overall particle size of the material and

ensuring optimised characteristics for further

processing.

In Fluid Bed Granulation (FBG), granules are formed by

the addition of a binding agent in solution to a powder

bed in a granulator. The binding solution allows liquid

bridges to form granulates from the powder thus

increasing the particle size. Upon removal of the

moisture (to ensure the desired moisture content of

the blend) the binder remains and maintains the bonds

which form the granule.

It is crucial to ensure that the drying phase of the

process achieves the desired moisture content so that

the material is not too wet causing segregation, or too

dry so that the granules become brittle and collapse

during further processing.

The Multieye was designed to allow in-line and real-

time determination of moisture content during FBG

from multiple locations allowing for an accurate

determination of the drying end-point. This removes

the need for multiple offline sample analysis and

minimises drying cycles.

The three figures presented above illustrate the real-time, non-invasive measurement of moisture content

during a FBG process using the Multieye. The Multieye was positioned so as to monitor the fluid bed

directly via an observation port from which the moisture content was determined using the measured NIR

spectra and a Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression model. The Multieye measurements show excellent

correlation with samples which were periodically taken from the granulator and analysed using an offline

moisture analyser.

Specifications subject to change without notice

Innopharma Labs Ltd.+353 (0)1 485 3346info@innopharmalabs.comwww.innopharmalabs.com

Q HouseFurze Road

Sandyford Industrial EstateDublin 18, Ireland

Innovation leader in the provision of smart, cost effective, non-contact imaging technologies for manufacturing

control in the pharmaceutical, food/feed and fine chemical industries.

Multieye Specification Sheet

The Multieye provides simultaneous multi-channel Near Infra-Red (NIR)

process monitoring in a user friendly and cost effective package.

Innopharma Labs’ customer support in integration, training, and model

development ensures easy adoption and immediate value without the

need for in-house NIR specialists or chemometricians.

In-line Process Applications

• Moisture Content

• Blend Homogeneity

• Ribbon Density (roller compaction)

At-line / benchtop setup also available

Benefits

• Real-time data & analysis

• Improved process understanding

• Process end point determination

• Faster response time

• Better batch-to-batch consistency

• Fewer reworks / rejects

• Support real time release

• Improved productivity and quality

Usage Areas

• Formulation/Process development

• Scale-up

• Technology Transfer

• Manufacturing

Multieye allows for simultaneous and

continuous measurement from multiple

locations within a manufacturing

process in real time, for an unparalleled

level of process understanding and

control.

Spectral Range 1500 to 2200 nm

Spectral Resolution 10 nm

Number of Channels 1 – 4 monitored simultaneously

Data Acquisition Time 1.2 s per spectrum

All channels acquired in parallel

Spectrometer Type Piezo Fabry-Perot Interferometer with a

Multi-channel Extended InGaAs sensor

Probes Choice of probes to suit application

Spot Size Configurable based on probe selection

Probe Connectors SMA

Instrument Weight 2.8 kg

Instrument Dimensions (h) 270 x (w) 232 x (d) 102 mm

Mains voltage Rating 110 VAC @ 50Hz / 230 VAC @50 Hz

Communication Plug & Play USB

PC networking interface for data transfer and

OPC support

Data Processing PC with real-time spectral analysis software

included

Fluid Bed Granulation Real-time Moisture Content Profile

Innopharma Labs provide turnkey imaging-based Process Analytical Technology (PAT) solutions for

the powder and bulk solid industries. We provide technologies that assist with process control and

ensure the robustness of customer’s products.

Our PAT imaging systems are suitable for a number of industries including Food/Feed, Processing,

Chemistry, Agri-products and Pharmaceuticals, assisting in the control fluidised bed granulation,

drying, coating, spheronisation, blending and milling processes.

With a focus on direct measurement methods these PAT tools are demonstrably more accurate

than the majority of others on the market. This allows our customers to achieve greater levels of

process control with reduced batch reworking costs. These technologies also provide a means of

replacing costly and time consuming manual processes with real-time inline solutions.

Our advanced analysis software and intuitive user interfaces complement our technologies to make

them both powerful and simple while minimising operator time and training requirements.

Mike Mulcahy, Sales Director

Innopharma Labs

mulcahym@innopharmalabs.com

+353 1 485 3346

Innopharma Labs

Q House, Furze RoadSandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland

Tel: 00 353 1 485 3346

www.innopharmalabs.com

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