Application: Small Volume Liquid Dispersion Analysis with Getinge La Calhene Alpha-Beta Ports
This stainless steel enclosure was designed for small volume liquid dispersion/particle size distribution analysis methods involving Highly Potent Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (HPAPIs). Particularly, it was designed for operations conducted in facilities operating under the stipulations of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). The working space allows operators to freely fill the Hydro SV cuvette with the aliquot, insert the aliquot into a Malvern Pananalytical Hydro SV, and insert the Micro SV into a Malvern Pananalytical Mastersizer 3000 for liquid dispersion particle distribution analysis. Additionally, two ball valve fittings (3/8” NPT) are located on the right side of the enclosure for connection to inert gas sources for propulsion of the sample into the Mastersizer 3000 for analysis.
After the analysis is complete, the operator has the capability to transfer and transport analyzed product from the enclosure to another enclosure with protection from exposure during transport. This function is made possible through the usage of an integrated Alpha Getinge La Calhene Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) on the right side of the enclosure. The incorporation of the Alpha RTP facilitates safe transfer by allowing the attachment of a Beta RTP conjugate capsule to the Alpha RTP. Following attachment, the operator is able to transfer the desired amount of powder (or aqueous solution*) from the enclosure interior, through an opening created by the Alpha/Beta connection, and into a Beta RTP capsule. From here, both the Alpha and Beta conjugates are sealed and the Beta capsule is used as a transport vehicle to the other enclosure. Referring back to the previous paragraph, the enclosure also allows for the transfer process occur, in reverse, after the Beta capsule is transported to the next enclosure or RTP-compatible device.
After Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and surrogate powder exposure simulations, the enclosure was proven to contain to a Time Weighted Average (TWA) concentration below the customer’s specified parameter of 100 nanograms per cubic meter of air (ng/m3). The actual level of containment was proven to be 0.06 ng/m3.
The “Containment Target”, as depicted in the image above, is the respiratory exposure concentration specified by the customer. The “Surrogate Powder Testing Result” is the actual exposure concentration result from air samples taken during performance validation testing conducted by FSI. The surrogate “contaminant” sampled during the FAT was a powder substance with attributes similar to that of the actual contaminant.
When designing the enclosure, Flow Sciences also considered ease and efficiency of process flow. Thus, its interior layout accommodates space for the Hydro SV and the Mastersizer 3000. Specifically, the operator is provided with ample room to move their arms to fill the cuvette, insert the cuvette into the Mastersizer 3000, and perform analysis; all while retaining space for wiring connections.
*Note:If the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) or Occupational Exposure Band (OEB) for the pertinent HPAPI contaminant(s) are lower than 1 microgram per cubic meter of air (1 ug/m3), dissolution of the sample into an aqueous solution is an alternative method to reduce the risk of overexposure during RTP transport.
Additional Information:
- For more information about this enclosure, click here.
- Click here for more information regarding Getinge La Calhene RTP Ports.
- Want more information on the Mastersizer Hydro SV? Click here
