Multispectral Lyophilized Product Inspection for Moisture Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting lyophilized and powdered pharmaceutical products are inadequate for non-destructive, detailed quality assessment, particularly in detecting moisture content and internal defects, due to variations in product size and the inability to measure water content accurately.
Innovation Solution
A quality inspection apparatus utilizing a multispectral light receiver and hardware processor to calculate absorption spectra from illuminated samples, enabling detailed inspection of lyophilized and powdered pharmaceutical products without destruction, by measuring transmitted diffused light and light scattering properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If destructive sampling inspection is used to inspect product components, then measurement precision of component content is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to product loss and sampling limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical destructive sampling inspection system with an optical measurement system. The light receiver measures light absorption characteristics of the product in the container, and the processor calculates component content based on these optical properties, enabling non-destructive inspection that maintains both measurement precision and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light absorption characteristics as an intermediary parameter. Instead of directly measuring component content through destruction, the system measures light absorption by the product and uses this intermediary measurement to infer component content, enabling non-destructive inspection
2Productivity
If conventional non-destructive appearance inspection is used, then productivity is improved through 100% inspection capability, but measurement precision of internal defects and component content deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from surface appearance to light absorption characteristics. By measuring how the product absorbs light at different wavelengths, the system can detect internal defects and quantify component content non-destructively, maintaining high productivity while improving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface appearance inspection to three-dimensional internal property measurement. By measuring light absorption through the product in the container, the system accesses internal characteristics that are not visible from the surface, enabling detection of internal defects and component content
3Productivity
If lyophilization chamber size is increased to meet production demand, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision of water content uniformity deteriorates due to variations among products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the light absorption measurement system provides real-time data on water content and component distribution in each product. This feedback enables detection of variations among products in large-scale production, allowing for quality control and process optimization to maintain manufacturing precision despite increased chamber size
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise, non-destructive 100% inspection of lyophilized and powdered pharmaceutical products, detecting components like active ingredients and moisture, and identifying internal defects, ensuring product safety and quality.
Implementation Method 1
a hardware processor that calculates an absorption spectrum at multiple wavelengths, based on a light reception result by the multispectral light receiver
Implementation Method 2
calculates an absorption spectrum at multiple wavelengths, based on a light reception result by the multispectral light receiver
Implementation Method 3
measuring transmitted diffused light and light scattering properties
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A quality inspection apparatus (1) is configured to inspect quality of an inspection target sample (S) filled in a transparent container (B). The inspection target sample is a lyophilized product or a powdery pharmaceutical product. The quality inspection apparatus includes: an illuminator (13) that illuminates a bottom surface of the transparent container; a multispectral light receiver (12) that obtains an image of a lateral surface of the transparent container; and a hardware processor (21). The hardware processor calculates an absorption spectrum at multiple wavelengths, based on a light reception result by the multispectral light receiver, and detects an inspection target component contained in the inspection target sample, based on the calculated absorption spectrum.