METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE COATING ON A PARTICLE DURING MANUFACTURING OF A PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

Abstract: In a method of monitoring the formation of a coating on a single particle (P), an apparatus is used which comprises means (2, 5, 6, 9) for arranging said particle (P) at a given spatial location, and a fluid supply unit (3) adapted to apply a coating fluid to the particle (P) such that the coating is formed. Further, the apparatus has a measurement unit (4) which is adapted to perform a spectrometric measurement on the coating during formation thereof, and to derive a measurement value of at least one principal parameter related to the coating. Thus, such principal parameters, for example thickness, thickness growth rate and physical and/or chemical properties related to the quality of the coating, as well as heat, mass and momentum transfer, can be continuously and non-invasively monitored during the coating process on the single particle (P). The results of such measurements can be used to understand the coating process on the single particle (P), and ultimately to control, up-scale and develop industrial full-scale coating plants.

Description: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONTrORING THE COATING ON A PARTICLE DURING MANUFACTUR ¬ ING OF A PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT Technical field The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the formation of a coating on a particle. Ultimately, the invention is focused on controlling the process of manufacturing a coaling of a pharmaceutical product, such as a pellet, a tablet or a capsule. Technical background Generally, a coating of a pharmaceutical product consists of one or moi c films and each film consists of one or more layers. Below, "coating" is used as a comprehensive expression encompassing everything from an individual layer to a combination of several different films. Each film is the result of a single coating step, generally performed in a coating vessel, where for instance layers of the film are built up. The coating process takes place either in a fluidized bed wherein particles, so-called nuclei, arc sprayed with a specific coating liquid, or by passing the particles through a spray dust of said liquid. Several other generally used coating techniques are known in the prior art, such as elting, aggregation etc. The total process of manufacturing a complete coating may involve a plurality of such coating steps. However, the process may as well be sequential, whereby the whole process represents a continuous flow. Pharmaceutical products arc coaled for several reasons. A protective coating normally protects the active ingredients from possible negative influences from the environment, such as for example light and moisture but also temperature and vibrations. By applying such a coating, the active substance is protected during storage and transport. A coating could also be applied to make the product easier to swallow, to provide it with a pleasant taste or for identification of the product. Further, coatings arc applied which perform a pharmaceutical function such as conferring enteric and/or controlled release. The purpose of a functional coating is to provide a pharmaceutical preparation or formulation with desired properties to enable the transport of the active pharmaceutical substance through the digestive system to the region where it is to be released and/or absorbed. Λ desired concentration profile over time of the active substance in the body may be obtained by such a controlled course of release. An enteric coating is used to protect the product from disintegration in the acid environment of the stomach. Moreover, it is important that the desired functionalities arc constant over lime, i.e. during storage. By conli ollmg the quality of the coating, the desired functionalities of the final product may also be controlled. There are strict requirements from the different Registration Authorities on pharmaceutical products. These requirements will put high demands on the quality of the coating and require that the complex properties of the coating will be kept within narrow limits. In order to meet these demands, there is a need for accurate control of the coating process. The quality of the coating depends on physical and/or chemical properties of the coating, such as chemical composition, local inhomogencitics, physical and chemical homogeneity, density, mechanical properties, static parameters, modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, compression, ductility, viscoelastic parameters, morphology, macro- and microscopic properties, amorphous and/or crystallinity, permeability, porosity, aggregation, wettability, degree of coalescence/maturity, stability and ability to resist chemical and/or physical degradation. There are also other properties not listed above. The quality of the coating affects to a great extent the release properties and has a significant impact on the storage stability. In order to keep the quality of the coating within the desired narrow limits it is necessary to control the manufacturing process of the coating accurately. In an industrial plant for coating pharmaceutical products, selected process parameters are monitored and controlled to achieve a desired quality of the end product. Such process parameters arc generally global and could include, for example, the pressure in the coating vessel, the flow rate and temperature of gas and coating liquid supplied to the coating vessel, etc. However, the influence of such global process parameters on the coating process, and ultimately on the coating properties of the end product, is known only from experience in a specific plant. Thus, a processing scheme is developed for each specific plant by extensive testing. When, for example, the size or shape of the coating vessel is changed during scaling up of the process, the local environment of the particles may be altered. This calls for time-consuming measurements and adjustments in order to regain the same coating properties of the end product. There is also a need to improve existing manufacturing processes as well as to improve existing plants. Today, this is a laborious task since the influence of any change in the process scheme or (he plant design on the end product has to be investigated by extensive testing, often in full scale. The same applies to the development of new products, for example when a new type of particle or coating liquid should be used, An attempt to fulfil the above-identified needs is disclosed in the article "Fluidizcd bed spray granulation, investigation of the coating process on a single sphere" by K. C. Link and E.-U. Schlϋndcr, published in Chemical Engineering and Processing, No. 30, 1997. A laboratory-scale apparatus is designed for analysis of a single particle, in order to investigate the fundamental physical mechanisms that lead to particle growth by layering. In this apparatus, a single aluminum sphere is made to levitate on a fluidizing air flow which is supplied by a capillary tube. Thereby, the sphere is freely and rotatably suspended at a stable location in a coaling vessel. An ultrasonic nozzle arranged above this stable location is intermittently activated to generate a spray dust of coating liquid that falls down onto the sphere and forms a coating thereon. This type of nozzle generates a spray of droplets, the velocity of which is adjusted by means of a separate air flow through the nozzle. The apparatus is used for investigating the influence of different parameters, such as droplet velocity, temperature of fluidizing air, drying time, and type of coating liquid, on the thickness and morphology of the resulting coating. A rough measurement value of the overall thickness of the coating is obtained by weighing the sphere before and after the actual coating process and determining the difference in weight. The morphology of the coating is qualitatively examined by arranging the sphere, once coaled, in a scanning- electron-microscopc (SEM). For both of these measurements, the sphere must be removed from the apparatus for analysis. The apparatus also includes a lamp for illumination of the sphere and a video camera for continuous and qualitative observation of the contours of the sphere during the coating process. One drawback of this prior-art apparatus resides in the difficulty to make quantitative, time-resolved measurements of coating properties. After a specific time period, the coating process must be interrupted for analysis of the coating on the sphere, whereupon a new and non-coated sphere must be subjected to a new coating process for a longer time period, and so on. In this approach, the foπnation of a coherent time scries of measurement data requires that identical conditions are maintained in the environment o\ ' each sphere. Thus, the coating process must be repeated in exactly the same manner for each sphere. This is difficult. For example, any small variations in the masses of the aluminum spheres will necessitate an adjustment in the flow rate of the fluidizing air, to maintain each sphere at the same location in the vessel. Such a change in flow rate will also change the environment of the sphere during the coating process, thereby making it difficult to compile the measurement data from several consecutive measurements into a coherent time scries. A further drawba. k of this known apparatus is that only a few properties of the coating, i.e. average thichiess and surface morphology, can be measured. Another drawback is that the course of a coating process can only be studied on standardized spheres, so that the coating process can be repeated in exactly the same manner for each sphere. However, the coating process is believed to be highly dependent on the properties of the particle itself, such as the size, density, porosity and shape of the particle. Thus, it may be difficult, or even impossible, to draw any conclusions for a realistic particle from experiments made in the known apparatus. Summary of the invention The object of the invention is to solve or alleviate some or all of the problems described above. More specifically, the method and apparatus according to the invention should allow for time-resolved measurements of coating properties on any type of particle. This object is achieved by the method and apparatus set forth in the appended claims. The inventive method and apparatus will allow for continuous and non-invasive monitoring of one or more principal parameters related to the coating, such as thickness, thickness growth rate and physical and/or chemical properties related to the quality of the coating, as well as heat, mass and momentum transfer, during the coating process on a single particle. The resu s of the measurements made possible by the inventive apparatus and method can be used to develop a fundamental model of the coating process on a single particle as a function of one or more control parameters, which can be related to piopcrlics of the environment of the particle and to properties of the particle itsel Ultimately, such a fundamental model can be converted to an aggregate model for prediction of the influence of global process parameters on the monitored principal parameter or parameters for a large number of particles, for example in a full-scale coating process in an industrial plant. Such an aggregate model is a valuable tool that can be used to scale up processes and plants, improve existing manufacturing processes and plants, and develop new products. It should also be noted that the invention allows for monitoring of the coaling process on any type of single solid sample. Thus, in contrast to prior art technique, it is conceivable to use a realistic nucleus, such as a pellet, a tablet, or a capsule. The inventive method and apparatus have the additional advantage of providing information thai can be directly used in the control of a full-scale process. More specifically, by effecting a coating process on a single particle at well-controlled conditions, so that desired properties of the coating on the particle is obtained, and by continuously performing the spectrometric measurement, a desired sequence of measurement values can be obtained. By effecting the same spectromctric measurement in a full-scale process, the giobal process parameters of this process can be controlled to yield the desired sequence of measurement values. Thereby, the full-scale process will be controlled to yield the desired properties of the coaling on the particles. In practice, the sequence of measurement values could form a desired trajectory in a space that is defined by one or more principal components. These principal components can be derived by applying chemometric methods to measurement data obtained from a time-scries of spectrometric measurements. Evidently, the desired sequence of measurement values could also be established by effecting a spectrometric measurement on a batch of particles in the full-scale process itself. However, by means of the invention, the desired sequence of measurement values is established much faster, since the coating process of a single particle is considerably shorter in time than the coating process of a batch of particles in a full-scale process. In an alternative approach for direct control of a full-scale process, the inventive method and apparatus arc used to identify the interrelationship between control parameters, given by conventional sensors, and principal parameters, given by spectromctric methods. This is typically done by effecting a coating process on a single particle at well-controlled conditions, and by continuously performing a spectrometric measurement and simultaneously performing a measurement of one or more control parameters, such as a fluidizing gas flow rale or a temperature. By identifying relevant control parameters in this way, the inventive method and apparatus could be used to establish a desired sequence of control parameter values. This sequence could then be directly transferred to a full-scale process, wherein the global process parameters of this process are controlled to form a corresponding desired sequence of global process parameter values. Thereby, the full-scale process will be controlled to yield the desired properties of the coating on the particles. Preferably, the step of forming the coating on the particle includes generating a single droplet of a coating fluid and making the droplet impinge on the particle. The use of a single droplet, or a sequence of such single droplets, instead of a spray dust, provides for a controlled deposition of coating fluid on the particle surface. Thus, the droplet size or the droplet generating rate can be controlled during a wetting period and be used as well- defined control parametcis. The term "coating fluid" is used as a comprehensive expression encompassing everything from a pure coating liquid to a slurry or suspension of coating liquid and coating solids. Alternatively, the coating fluid could be a mixture of coating solids and a carrier gas. In this case, the term "coating droplet" would refer to a coating solid. Preferably, the particle is fluidized on an upwardly directed gas flow, so that the particle is held at a given spatial location, while being freely rotatablc at this location. Thus, the particle can be lϊxed so that a precise measurement can be effected, and rotating so that a uniform coating can be formed. The fluidizing gas flow has the additional function of drying the particle. It is preferred thai each droplet upon generation is moved into and allowed to follow the fluidizing gas flow to the particle. Thereby it is assured that each droplet impinges on the fluidized particle. In another preferred embodiment, the control parameter is changed based, at least partly, on the measurement value. This type of feed-back control provides for in-line adjustments of the coating process on the single particle. Thereby it is possible to monitor the effects of a change in any control parameter during the coating process. The control parameter could include a property of said gas flow, such as a How rate, a temperature or a content of a solvent, for example water; a property of the particle, such as a size, a shape, a density or a porosity; a property of the droplets, such as a droplet size, a droplet generation rate or a concentration of a droplet constituent; a duration of a wetting period during the coaling process; and a duration of a drying period during the coating process. In addition to the control parameters listed above, there arc also other parameters not listed here. Preferably, the sp clromclric measurement is performed by means of near iuli iπl spectrometry and/or a spectrometric method based on Raman scattering and/or a spectrometric method based on absorption in the UV, visible, or infra-red (IR) wavelength region, or luminescence, such as fluorescence emission, and/or imaging spcclromclry. Brief description of the drawings In the following, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, will be described in more detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing which schematically shows a layout of a monitoring apparatus. Description of a preferred embodiment The monitoring apparatus disclosed on the drawing comprises a coating chamber 1 , a gas supply unit 2, a coating liquid dispenser 3, a spectrometric measurement unit 4, and a main control unit 5. In the coating chamber 1, the coating process of a single particle l J can be continuously and non-invasively monitored under well-controlled conditions. A vertical tube 6 extends from a bottom portion 7 of the chamber 1 along a vertical center line of the chamber 1. The gas supply unit 2 is adapted to feed a gas in controlled amounts to the chamber 1. The unit 2 communicates with the lube 6 and a periphery portion 8 of the chamber 1. The flow of gas through the tube 6 is used to levitate or fluidi/,c the particle at a given position in the chamber 1. The flow of shielding gas to the periphery portion 8 is used to minimize any gradients between the measurement unit 4 and the particle P, since such gradients might introduce errors in the spectromctric measurements. Although not shown on the drawing, it is realized that such shielding gas could be supplied to the periphery portion 8 at several locations around the perimeter of the chamber 1. Alternatively, or additionally, shielding gas could be fed through the bottom portion 7. A control system is provided to accurately position the particle P. The control system includes a position sensor 9, for example an array detector, which is arranged at the periphery of the chamber 1 and is adapted to output a position signal indicating to the position of the particle P. The position signal is fed to the main control unit 5, which adjusts the gas flow rale accordingly by feeding a control signal to the gas supply unit 2. The control system is capable of maintaining the particle P at a given position in the chamber 1. This position might be changed over time in a controlled manner, or be spatially fixed in the chamber 1. The gas supply unit 2 is also adapted to condition the gas, for example by changing the gas temperature or the gas content of a solvent, such as water, based on corresponding control signals received from the main control unit 5. To this end, the gas supply unit 2 could include a conventional bubbler system (not shown), in which the gas is bubbled through a liquid source to add a small concentration of liquid vapor to the gas. Such, and other, high-precision systems for mixing gas and liquid vapor are available on the market. One or more coating liquid dispensers 3 (only one shown on the drawing) is connected to the tube 6 and is adapted to sequentially generate droplets D of a coaling liquid. The generated droplets D are injected into the gas flow in the tube 6 and will, by following the gas flow to the particle P, impinge on the particle P and form a coaling thereon. The coaling liquid dispenser 3 receives control signals, indicating for example the desired droplet generation rate and droplet size, from the main control unit 5. In the illustrated example, the coating liquid dispenser 3 is a flow-through microdispenser of the type disclosed in the article "Design and development of a silicon microfabricated flow-through dispenser for on-line picolitre sample handling", Journal of Micromechanical Microcnginecring No. 9, pp 369-376, 1999, by T. LaurcII, L. Wallman and J. Nilsson. This microdispenser, of which no details are given in the drawing, comprises two joined silicon structures forming a flow-through channel. A piczoccramic element is connected to one of the silicon structures. By activating the piczoccramic element, a pressure pulse is generated in the channel, thereby ejecting a droplet from an orifice in the opposite silicon structure. This microdispenser allows for sequential generation of droplets with a well-defined size and frequency. The spectromctric measurement unit 4 is arranged at the periphery of the chamber I and is adapted to perform a spectrometric measurement, preferably by NIRS (Near Infrared Spectrometry), on the coaling during the coating process. The resulting measurement data are represented in a sample vector. The spectrometric measurement unit 4 is also adapted to evaluate the measurement data in the sample vector and derive a measurement value related to the coating. This measurement value is fed to the main control unit 5 for storage. NIRS provides both physical and chemical properties of the coating. This spectrometric method, like several other commonly used spectrometric methods, is non- invasive as well as non-destructive. A NIRS measurement is fast and therefore, it is employable for continuously measuring samples of all kinds. The possibilities obtained by NIRS measurement:; will he fin lher discussed below. Further, with a spectromctric measurement according to the invention, it is possible to extract information from several different depths of the coating, i.e. from the surface as well from deeper levels thereof. Additionally, it is possible to directly measure the thickness of the coating. The spectrometric measurement can be carried out in such a manner that the particle P, the coaling thickness of which is to be measured, is positioned at a desired level with respect to the measurement unit 4. Thus, the mean coaling thickness or a variation of the coating thickness can be measured. By employing imaging spectrometry, local inhomogeneities in the coating can be measured. Imaging spccliomctry also allows for variations in the position of the particle P during the spectromctric measurement. In the spectrometric measurement unit 4, the sample vector is evaluated in order to extract information dircc'ly related to the quality of the coating. In one embodiment, the evaluation is performed by subjecting the sample vector to a mathematical analysis, weighting the data, in conjunction lo previous data, and condensing them lo at least one measurement value. In the present embodiment chemometric methods are used. More particularly and at least in the case of continuous measurements during the coating process, a multivariate analysis, such as PCA (Principal Component Analysis), or PLS (Partial Least Squares) is performed on the sample vector. In this way, it is possible to directly measure the quality of the coating, in terms of relevant physical and/or chemical properties. As a further example, the heat transfer to the coating can be monitored by way of extracting a measurement value related to the surface temperature of the coaling. Further, the mass transfer to the coating can be monitored by way of extracting a measurement value related to the moisture content of the coating. The main control unit 5, for example a personal computer, is adapted to continuously store control parameters potentially affecting the coating process on the particle P in the chamber 1. Some control parameters are mentioned above, for example the gas temperature, the gas humidity, the droplet generation rate, and the droplet size. The main control unit receives additional control parameter information from a tciiip iatuic sensor 10a, a mass flow meter 1 1 and a gas analyzer 12 arranged to measure the temperature, the flow rate and the solvent concentration, respectively, of the gas entering chamber 1 through tube 6, as well as a temperature sensor 13 and a gas analyzer 14 arranged lo measure the lempcialiirc and the solvent concentration, respectively, of the gas leaving chamber 1. Additionally, a temperature sensor 10b is arranged lo measure the temperature of the shielding gas entering the chamber 1. Other suc conventional sensors could be provided. Further control parameters could include the duty cycle of the coating liquid dispenser 3, i.e. the time period with wetting and drying, respectively, of the particle P. Further control parameters could be related to the particle P itself, or the concentration of a constituent of the coating liquid. It is appreciated Lial one or more control parameters could be changed during the coating process, for monitoring its influence on the properties of the coating, as measured by the unit 4. Examples of possible modifications comprise for example the use of other spectrometric methods, such as those based on Raman scattering, or absorption in the UV and visible or infrared (IR) wavelength regions or luminescence such as fluorescence emission. Another example of a modification substitutes a more simple analysis lo the chemometric methods as follows. Generally, when using spectromctric methods, broad response spectra are obtained. However, instead of analysing all of the measurement values obtained over such a broad response spectrum by applying chemometric methods, merely one or a few values of the measurement values are analysed. For example, the measurement values at a few individual frequencies could be analysed. Also, when employing Raman spccti υmetry, which often results in values well separated by wavelength, this simplified analysis can be useful.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of monitoring the formation of a coating on a single particle (P), comprising the steps of ai ranging the particle (P) at a given spatial location, loiming said coating on the particle (P), and obtaining a measuiement value of at least one pnnupal parameter related to said coating, c h a i a c t e r i z e d in that said measuiement value is obtained by pci foimmg a spccliometπc measurement on said coaling din ing said step of forming said coating 2 A method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said spectiometuc measui ement is performed continuously during at least part of the step of foim g said coating, thci cbv generating a sequence of measuiement values of said at least one pi mcipal pai melci 3. A method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein said step of aiianging the particle (P) at a given spatial location includes fluidizing said particle (P) on an upwaidly diicctcd gas flow 4. A method as set forth in any one of claims 1-3, wheiein said step of foi m g said coating on the particle (P) includes generating a single droplet (D) of a fluid, and bunging said droplet to impinge on said particle (P) 5 A method as set forth in claims 3 and 4, wherein said droplet (D) upon said generation is moved into and allowed lo follow said upwardly dncclcd gas flow to said particle (P) 6. A method as set forth m claim 4 or 5, wherein said single dioplct (D) is repeatedly gencialcd, Ihcicby foimmg at least one stream of such dioplcts (D) that sequentially impinge on said particle (P). 7. A method as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, fuithei compi ismg a step of monitoring at least one conliol paiameter iclatcd to the cnviionnicnt ol the pailick (P) or the particle (P) itself, and a step of identifying a functional relationship between said at least one control pai meter and said at least one principal paiametci 8. A method as set forth in chum 7, fuithei compiising a step ol gcnci.ilmg, based on said functional iclationship for said single particle (P), an aggregate model loi prediction of the influence of said at least one control parameter on said at least one principal parameter for a large number of such particles (P). 9. A method as set forth in claim 7 or 8, further comprising the step of changing said at least one control parameter based, al least partly, on said measurement value. 10. A method as s t forth in any one of claims 7-9 in combination with claim 3 or 5, wherein said at least one control parameter includes a property of said gas flow, such as a flow rate, a temperature or a content of a solvent. 1 1. A method as set forth in any one of claims 7-9, wherein said at least one control parameter includes a properly of the particle (P), such as a size, a shape, a density or a porosity. 12. A method as set forth in any one of claims 7-9 in combination with any one of claims 4-6, wherein said at least one control parameter includes a properly of said droplet (D), such as a droplet size, a droplet generation rate or a concentration of a droplet constituent. 13. A method as set forth in any one of claims 7-9 in combination with any one of claims 4-6, wherein said a> least one control parameter includes a duration of a wetting period during said step of forming said coating, said wetting period being effected by controlling said droplet generation. 14. A method as set forth in any one of claims 7-9 in combination with any one of claims 4-6, wherein said ai least one control parameter includes a duration of a drying period during said step of forming said coating. 15. A method as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of obtaining said measurement value includes generating a sample vector of measurement data from said spectrometric measurement, and condensing said measurement data into said measurement value of said at least one principal parameter. 16. A method as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spcctromclric measuiement is performed by means of near- infra ed spcclroincli v 17. A method as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spectrometric measurement is performed by means of a spectromctric method based on Raman scattering. 18. A method as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spectrometric measurement is performed by means of a spectrometric method based on absorption in the UV, visible, or infrared (IR) wavelength region, or luminescence, such as fluorescence emission. 19. A method as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spectrometric measurement is performed by means of imaging spcclromctry. 20. A method as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said particle (P) is a pharmaceutical product, such as a pellet a tablet or a capsule. 21. Use of a method as set forth in any one of the preceding claims for identi fying a functional relationship between said at least one principal parameter and properties of an environment of the particle (P) during the formation of said coating, and/or properties of the particle (P) itself. 22. Use of a method as set forth in claim 2 for control of a coating process of a batch of particles, wherein said sequence of measurement values is used as a sequence of reference values in said control, and wherein a corresponding spcclroscopic measurement is effected on said batch of particles to provide a sequence of actual values for said control. 23. Use of a method as set forth in any one of claims 1 -20 for control of a coaling process of a batch of particles, wherein a functional relationship is identified between said at least one principal parameter and at least one simultaneously monitored control parameter, which is related lo an environment of said single particle (P); wherein one or more of said at least one control parameters, based on said functional relationship, is selected to represent one or more of said at least one principal parameters; wherein a desired sequence of values of said one or more selected control parameters is determined for said single particle (P); and wherein said coating process of a batch of particles is controlled based on said desired sequence of selected control parameter values. 24 An appaiatus foi monitoring the formation of a coaling on a single particle ( ), comprising means (2, 5, C, 9) foi ananging said particle (P) at a given spatial location, and a fluid supply unit (3) adapted to apply a coating fluid to said particle (P) such that said coating is formed, c h a i a c t e i i z e d by a measurement unit (4) which is adapted to perform a spccliomcliic measurement on said coating during formation Ihcicof, and to derive a measuiement value of at least one piincipal paramelci related lo said coaling 25 An appaiatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein said measuiement unit (4) is adapted to continuously peiform said spectiometπc measurement, thcicby genciatmg a sequence of measuiement values of said at least one principal paiamctci 26 An appaiatus as set forth in claim 24 oi 25, wherein said particle ananging means (2, 5, 6, 9) compiiscs a flow unit (2) which is adapted to gcnci ale a fluidi/mg gas flow on which the particle (P) is fluidized 27 An appaiatus as set forth in claim 26, further compnsing a housing ( 1 ) in which said coating is formed on said particle (P), wherein said flow unit (2) is adapted to pi ovule a shielding gas inside the housing (1) intermediate the measurement unit (4) and the location of said particle (P), said shielding gas being essentially identical to the gas used for fluidizing said particle (P) 28 An appai atus as set forth in any one of claims 24-27, whcicin said fluid supply unit (3) is opeiable lo genciate a single droplet (D) that is biought lo impinge on said particle (P) 29 An appaiatus as set forth in claim 26 and 28, wheiein said fluid supply unit (3) is arranged to inject each dioplet (D) into said fluidizing gas flow 30 An appaiatus as set forth in claim 28 or 29, wheiein said fluid supply unit (1) is arranged to repeatedly genciate said single dioplet (D), thereby foimmg a slieam ol such droplets (D) that sequentially impinge on said particle (P) 31 An appaiatus as sel forth in any one of claims 24-30, fuithei compnsing a control unit (5) which is adapted to mo toi at least one contiol paiamctci I elated to the environment of the particle (P) oi the particle (P) itself 32. An appaiatus t.s set forth in claim 31, wherein the control unit (5) is adapted lo receive said measurement value from said measurement unit (4) and lo effect a change of said at least one control parameter based, at least partly, on said measurement value. 33. An apparatus as scl forth in claim 32 in combination with claim 26 or 28, wherein said at least one control parameter includes a property of said fluidizing gas flow, such as a flow rate, a moisture content or a temperature, and wherein said control unit (5) is operable to effect said change by controlling said flow unit (2). 34. An apparatus as set forth in claim 32 in combination with any one of claims 28- 30, wherein said at least one control parameter includes a property of said droplets, such as a droplet size, a droplet generation rate or a concentration of a droplet constituent, and wherein said control unit (5) is operable to effect said change by controlling said fluid supply unit (3). 35. An apparatus as scl forth in claim 32 in combination with any one of claims 28- 30, wherein said at least one control parameter includes a duration of a droplet generation period, and wherein said control unit (5) is operable to effect said change by controlling said fluid supply unit (3). 36. An apparatus as scl forth in claim 32 in combination with any one of claims 28- 30, wherein said at least one control parameter includes a duration of a drying period, and wherein said control unit is operable to effect said change by controlling said fluid supply unit (3). 37. An apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 24-36, wherein said measurement unit (4) is adapted to perform said spectrometric measurement by means of near-infrared spectrometry. 38. An apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 24-37, wherein said measurement unit (4) is adapted lo perform said spectromctric measurement by means of a spectromctric method based on Raman scattering. 39. An apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 24-38, said measurement unit (4) is adapted to perform saic 1 spectromctric measurement by means of a spectromclric method based on absorption in the UV, visible, or infrared (IR) wavelength region, or luminescence, such as fluorescence emission. 40. An apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 24-39, wherein said measurement unit (4) is adapted to perform said spectrometric measurement by means of imaging spectromctry. 41. An apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 24-40, wherein said particle (P) is a pharmaceutical product such as a pellet, a tablet or a capsule.

Inventors: FOLESTAD STAFFAN, NIKLASSON BJOERN INGELA, RASMUSON ANDERS, STROEM DANIEL, FOLESTAD, STAFFAN, NIKLASSON, BJOERN, INGELA, RASMUSON, ANDERS, STROEM, DANIEL
Applicants: ASTRAZENECA AB, FOLESTAD STAFFAN, NIKLASSON BJOERN INGELA, RASMUSON ANDERS, STROEM DANIEL, FOLESTAD, STAFFAN, NIKLASSON, BJOERN, INGELA, RASMUSON, ANDERS, STROEM, DANIEL
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G01N21
IPC codes: B01J2, G01N21