Particle analyser makes debut

Introduced at the show will be rap-id Particle Systems' Liquid Particle Explorer(L.P.E). Designed for pharmaceutical QC and operating under the guidelines of CFR 21 part 11, the L.P.E. is said to be fast, reliable and easy to operate.

The system utilises image analysis in conjunction with RAMAN spectroscopy to perform size and chemical composition analysis on individual particles deposited on a membrane filter. "Detecting and determining the source of particle contamination in high purity liquids such as injectible drugs is of utmost importance", says the company. "Until now this process has been costly, time consuming and required highly trained operators. The time lag between contamination and detection using current external measurement labs can be up to 14 days. A fast, reliable and easy to use method, which could be utilised in-house, would be of great value. "Single particles as small as 2µm are detected and measured in minutes. The results of a complete analysis and identification of all particles contained in a filter sample are available in as little as one hour. Calibration and validation of the L.P.E. is fast and simple".