Malvern Instruments Limited

Malvern Panalytical Inc.

Other

The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

E Neil Lewis

Kenneth Haber

John McCaffrey

Vishal Patil

Peter Bennett

David J Strachan

Linda H Kidder

Donald C Lynch

Samiul Amin

Mark Nicholls

Oksana Iryna Leszczyszyn

Gerald Sando

Tomasz Sadowski

Paul G Clarke

Rohit Goswami

Joseph William Schoppelrei

Kevin Dahl

Ken Haber

Eunah Lee

An apparatus () for characterizing particles, comprising: a microscope objective with an optical axis and a depth of field; a holder cell () configured to position the particles in a generally planar volume below the microscope objective, the planar volume being substantially normal to the optical axis and having a depth that is less than or equal to the depth of field, wherein a portion of the cell holder () for positioning in the optical axis of the microscope objective is substantially free of significant spectral features in a Raman spectral range; an x-y stage () to move the microscope objective relative to the holder cell () in x and y directions to align particles with the optical axis of the microscope objective while the particles are held by the holder cell (), a detector () for acquiring an image of a particle through the microscope objective, a laser operable to illuminate a particle held by the holder cell (), a Raman spectrometer () arranged to obtain a spectrum including the Raman spectral range from the illuminated particle, and characterizing logic operative to characterize the particle based on image processing operations performed on the acquired image and based on the Raman spectrum. The holder cell () comprises a first plate () and a second plate () that are separated by a predetermined distance defining the planar volume depth.

Suspended particle characterization system

The disclosure relates to methods and device for detecting properties of heterogeneous samples, including detecting properties of particles or fluid droplets in industrial processes. A probe may be inserted into a first of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the first sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the first sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the first sample may be acquired. The probe may be inserted into a second of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the second sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the second sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the second sample may be acquired.

Heterogeneous fluid sample characterization

The invention relates to analyzing and controlling collection of liquid eluate output from a separation process, in particular by use of a measure of suspended material in the eluate based on a light scattering detection method. Exemplary embodiments include a method of controlling collection of a sample of a liquid eluate output from a separation process. The method includes exposing the liquid eluate to light from a light source; detecting light from the light source scattered by suspended material in the eluate at a detector; and beginning and ending collection of the sample when a measure of the suspended material derived from the detected scattered light enters and leaves a predetermined range.

Eluate analysis and collection

An optical sample characterization method is disclosed comprising: holding a sample in a sample container proximate at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly, wherein the sample container has a first end and a second end; setting up a gradient between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; illuminating the sample between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; and detecting light received from the illuminated sample from the first end of the sample container to the second end of the sample container by the two-dimensional array assembly.

Array based sample characterization

Viscometers and viscometry methods are disclosed. In one general aspect, a fluid is driven through capillary tubes with different inside volumes, and successive images of the fluid are acquired as it advances through the inside volume of the capillary tubes. A range of different viscosity values of the fluid are derived from the successive acquired images, and results of this step are reported in a manner that provides insight into non-Newtonian effects in the fluid. In another general aspect, a viscosity value is selected based on detected pressure levels.

Imaging microviscometer

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting properties of heterogeneous samples, including detecting properties of particles or fluid droplets in industrial processes. Embodiments disclosed include a particle characterization method, comprising: providing a fluid containing suspended particles; causing at least a first subset of the suspended particles to flow past a first two-dimensional array detector (); illuminating the first subset of suspended particles as they flow past the first two-dimensional array detector () in the fluid; acquiring a plurality of images of the first subset of particles as they flow past the first two-dimensional array detector () in the fluid; and automatically counting the particles in the images.

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting properties of suspended particles. Embodiments disclosed include an optical instrument () for detecting properties of a sample, comprising: a sample cell () for holding a sample of a particulate dispersion; a coherent light source () configured to illuminate the sample in the sample cell (); a light intensity detector () positioned to receive and measure an intensity of light from the coherent light source () elastically scattered by the sample in the sample cell (); and a spectral light detector () positioned and configured to receive and measure a range of wavelengths of light from the coherent radiation source () inelastically scattered by the sample in the sample cell ().

Dual-mode characterization of particulates

A method of obtaining information about a heterogeneous pharmaceutical mixture is disclosed. This method involves applying an image enhancement agent, such as a stain, to the mixture. An image of the mixture can then be obtained, and information about a distribution of components of the mixture in the image can also be obtained based on spatial information derived from the application of the image enhancement agent.

Pharmaceutical mixture evaluation

In one general aspect, a spectroscopic apparatus is disclosed for investigating heterogeneity of a sample area. The apparatus includes an image acquisition system operative to acquire images of a plurality of sub-areas in the sample area and a sub-area selection interface operative to receive a selection designating one of the sub-areas for which an image has been obtained. A spectrometer has a field of view and is operative to acquire a spectrum of at least part of one of the sub-areas in its field of view, and a positioning mechanism is responsive to the sub-area selection interface and operative to position the field of view of the spectrometer relative to the sample area based on a received selection.

Spectrometric investigation of heterogeneity

Spectrometric apparatus that include an array of detector elements and exhibits a number of capabilities is disclosed. The elements can be responsive to incident radiation to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation. A spectrally selective element can be located in an optical path between the radiation source and the array, with an analysis module responsive to the output signal operative to analyze spatial distribution of spectral information received by the array. The apparatus can also correct for differences in intensity and spectral variability for spectral image signals and/or compare the spectral image signals with a pattern in spatial-spectral coordinate space. Detector elements can be responsive to scattering, and spatial information in their output can be analyzed.

Spectrometric process monitoring

In one general aspect, a spectroscopic method for monitoring heterogeneity of a sample is disclosed. In this method, sampled spectroscopic measurements are acquired over a range of different micro locations in a macro-sample of the sample. This step is repeated for micro-locations in further macro-samples of the sample, and a statistical measure of chemical heterogeneity is derived from the acquisitions. In another general aspect, differently sized samples are acquired, and a statistical measure of chemical heterogeneity is derived from these acquisitions.

Spectrometric characterization of pharmaceutical heterogeneity

A spectral acquisition method includes actively processing a sample, such as a an opaque, friable pharmaceutical dosage unit, to expose characteristics of interior portions of the sample, and acquiring spectral information from the interior portions.

Growing community of inventors

Olney, MD, United States of America

E Neil Lewis