Real-time imaging as an emerging process analytical technology tool for monitoring of fluid bed coating process.

A direct imaging system (EyeconTM) was used as a Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tool to monitor fluid bed coating process. EyeconTM generated real-time onscreen images, particle size and shape information of two identically manufactured laboratory-scale batches. EyeconTM has accuracy of measuring the particle size increase of ±1 µm on particles in the size range of 50-3000 µm. EyeconTM captured data every 2 s during the entire process. The moving average of D90 particle size values recorded by EyeconTM were calculated for every 30 min to calculate the radial coating thickness of coated particles. After the completion of coating process, the radial coating thickness was found to be 11.3 and 9.11 µm, with a standard deviation of ±0.68 and 1.8 µm for Batch 1 and Batch 2, respectively. The coating thickness was also correlated with percent weight build-up by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and dissolution. GPC indicated weight build-up of 10.6% and 9.27% for Batch 1 and Batch 2, respectively. In conclusion, weight build-up of 10% can also be correlated with 10 ± 2 µm increase in the coating thickness of pellets, indicating the potential applicability of real-time imaging as an endpoint determination tool for fluid bed coating process.