Patent ID: 7185647

Claim:
A method for determining a smoothness index of a metered dose container having an inner core, comprising the steps of: a) subjecting said inner core of said metered dose container containing at least one pharmacologically active agent, wherein the at least one pharmacologically active agent is a corticosteroid selected from the group consisting of mometasone furoate anhydrous; beclomethasone dipropionate; budesonide; fluticasone; dexamethasone; flunisolide; triamcinolone; (22R)-6α,9α-ditluoro-11β,21-dihydroxy-16α,17α-propylmethylenedioxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dione; and tipredane, to reflected light photomicrography to obtain a digital image containing a plurality of pixels of said inner core; b) determining from said digital image the brightness of each of said pixels and quantifying said brightness by assigning an integer value thereto, wherein said value corresponds to an amount of brightness: and c) comparing said brightness of said pixel to a reference standard to determine the smoothness index of said inner core of said metered dose container.