GEA Pharma Systems integrate process engineering and PAT to provide Process Intelligence

The FDA’s PAT (process analytical technologies) initiative has enabled GPS Pharma Systems to combine its equipment design skills and process engineering know–how in order to integrate online (PAT) analysers into its process systems in a way which can provide real insight into the operation of the process and help customers achieve key product quality target.

The goal of the PAT initiative is to ensure that pharmaceutical products are manufactured using processes which are understood and monitored so that the key quality characteristics of the products can be actively controlled.

Combining process monitoring using online analysers, together with solid process engineering principles and advanced process modelling techniques will enable processes to be actively controlled in order to compensate for minor input variations (eg. raw materials) so that the specifications for the final product will be closer to the ideal target.

Lighthouse Probe™ technology

GEA Pharma Systems has joined forces with J&M Analytik AG to create a compact and cleanable in-process optical probe for use in powder processing equipment. The probe overcomes the traditional problem of observation windows fouling during processing.

The result is the novel Lighthouse Probe™, which can be used with a range of spectroscopic
techniques, including NIR and UV/vis, to overcome the traditional problem of product sticking to observation windows.

Parameters:

  • drying end point
  • granulation end point
  • granulation homogeneity
  • blending end point
  • blending homogeneity
  • coat thickness
  • active content, ex. water, API, excipients

Features:

  • full CIP possible
  • in-line window wash
  • in-line calibration
  • no window fouling
  • in-product measurement with 360 degrees
  • various optical methods available (DA-NIR, FT-NIR, Raman, UV, VIS)
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